Tex-Mex Barbers Banned: "The Edgar" Haircut Causes Controversy in Texas

A new haircut trend, "The Edgar," has sparked controversy in Texas, with some businesses planning to ban the style.

• The bowl cut, popular among Mexican-American men, has been associated with criminal activity, particularly after an April shooting in San Antonio involving 18-year-old Mikey Valdez, who sported the haircut.
• Ricky Ortiz, owner of El Camino food truck, received backlash for an Instagram post disavowing the haircut, with comments calling it "a new form of racism."
• Ortiz defended his post, stating that the haircut is often associated with gang culture and that young Hispanic males with this style need to improve their behavior.
• The debate raises questions about the legality of hairstyle discrimination under Texas' CROWN Act, which prohibits race-based hair discrimination in schools, workplaces, and housing.
• However, the Act does not explicitly address hairstyle-based denial of service by businesses.
• Full URL included: https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2023-08-10/the-edgar-haircut-all-the-rage-among-the-foos
• Full Texas Labor Code URL: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/LA/htm/LA.21.htm

Quotes:

"Imagine discriminating [against] your customers. Lol, you live in 'Edgar' city. This is a new form of racism." - Instagram user @allsold0ut

"People accusing me of racism are speaking from a place of ignorance. They don't want to acknowledge or admit that the majority of the kids that are getting these haircuts want to be in a culture influenced by gang affiliation and things like that." - Ricky Ortiz to the San Antonio Current