This is a prime example of what African Americans face in America. Why would this wrestling referee Alan Maloney force this young man to cut his hair? The referee was trying to intimidate and demoralize this young man because he was African American and expressing his individuality by wearing a hair style that many other people wear. The dread lock hair style has been stigmatized and used as a label in many situations to categorize black men as criminals without any justification. This young man Andrew Johnson was not allowed to express his individuality because this caucasian referee was offended by this young African Americans blackness.
It might come as a shock but these types of situations go on everyday in America. Alan Maloney has a history of racist behavior and he has been blocked from officiating any more matches until there is an investigation.
https://sports.yahoo.com/referee-forces-wrestler-cut-dreadlocks-else-forfeit-high-school-match-172421750.html
It turns out the referee is a two-time offender when it comes to public, race-related transgressions, too. In 2016, he was accused of directing a racial slur at another referee at a private gathering among officials.Although Maloney has claimed he doesn’t remember uttering the slur, he has accepted the accounts of witnesses who said it happened, according the Courier-Post. So perhaps he’ll accept responsibility for the incident on Wednesday that New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said left him “deeply disturbed.’’Tweeted Murphy, “No student should have to needlessly choose between his or her identity & playing sports.’’
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/josh-peter/2018/12/22/andrew-johnson-wrestling-ref-alan-maloney-should-get-lifetime-ban/2397377002/