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People are upset after watching a video of a Black student named Andrew Johnson being forced to cut off his dreadlocks or forfeit his wrestling match surface online. It sparked a national outrage, forcing the referee, Alan Maloney, who was responsible for the action to be banned from matches.
If you haven’t seen the video, watch it below.
Since the incident, the family of Andrew Jackson, has spoken out. They released a statement, “Andrew was visibly shaken after he and his coaches made every effort to satisfy the referee short of having his hair cut. But, as captured on video, the referee gave Andrew 90 seconds to either forfeit his match or cut his hair.” The statement also reads, “Andrew has been deeply moved by the thunderous outpouring of unsolicited support — including from an Olympic wrestler, leading civil rights advocates and elected officials — after the shocking pre-match ultimatum.”
What are your thought? Read the full length statement below.