A group of Black lawmakers reintroduced legislation on Wednesday that provides protections against hair discrimination. The bicameral bill aims to address the issue of discrimination based on hair texture and style.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) joined their colleagues and Adjoa B. Asamoah, co-founder of the CROWN Coalition, in a press conference outside the Capitol to introduce the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act, also known as the CROWN Act.
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According to Watson Coleman, the bill is being reintroduced with the intention of ensuring that no individual, whether they are a worker, a student, or just a regular person, should ever have to experience discrimination based on the natural texture and appearance of their hair.
“We have no control over the texture of our hair, unlike the color of our skin,” Watson Coleman pointed out. “Unfortunately, Black Americans frequently experience discrimination solely based on their hair.”
According to a study conducted in 2020 by Michigan State and Duke universities, it was discovered that Black women with natural hair tend to be viewed as less professional and competent compared to Black women with straightened hair or white women with straight or curly hair. Furthermore, they are also less likely to receive job interview referrals.
Over 20 percent of Black women have experienced being sent home from work due to their hair, while one-third of Black women under 34 believe they have been denied job interviews because of their hair.
“Our hair holds immense importance in shaping our overall well-being, self-esteem, cultural identity, and personal expression,” emphasized Watson Coleman. She firmly believes that discrimination against Black hair is tantamount to discrimination against Black individuals. She is determined to take action and put an end to this injustice.”
The CROWN Act aims to put an end to discrimination based on an individual’s hair texture or hairstyle. It specifically addresses discrimination against those with coiled or tightly-curled hair, as well as individuals who wear locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, Afros, and other hairstyles that are commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. By including these forms of discrimination within the definition of racial discrimination, the CROWN Act seeks to ensure equal treatment and protection for all individuals, regardless of their hair type or style.
According to Booker, it is essential that no one should have to endure harassment or discrimination because of their natural hair. He believes that the CROWN Act serves as a means to address and rectify the systemic bias that wrongly portrays Black individuals as being inherently flawed.
“Black hair prejudice undermines a crucial aspect of our identity and cultural legacy,” he asserted. “It is high time that we put an end to the extensive history of both subtle and overt biases against natural hair. Black hair, in all its diverse forms and styles, is a stunning manifestation of beauty, and it is imperative that individuals have the liberty to embrace their cultural identities without apprehension of discrimination or unfair treatment.”
According to Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, the entire caucus supports the legislation.
According to Horsford, instances like Darryl George, a student in Texas who is facing discrimination for his choice of headwear rather than his abilities, and the countless Black women who are compelled to alter their hair in order to be accepted, whether in the workplace or elsewhere, are unjust and must be put to an end. Horsford firmly believes that this type of discrimination is a clear manifestation of racism and it is imperative that we take action to eradicate it, which is precisely what the CROWN Act seeks to achieve.
The people who gathered on Wednesday expressed a strong belief that discrimination based on hair is a form of racism.
According to Asamoah, one of the co-founders of the CROWN Coalition, hair discrimination is rooted in Eurocentric beauty standards and is therefore inherently anti-Black.
According to her, anti-Blackness is pervasive in many ways. Although race is a social construct, racism is a very real issue that needs to be addressed with a thoughtful and intentional approach. The rules and practices that perpetuate racism, specifically race-based hair discrimination, must be dismantled in order to mitigate the physical, psychological, and economic harm it causes.
Democrats have attempted to pass this legislation on previous occasions.
In March 2022, the House made progress in advancing a national CROWN Act, which unfortunately faced obstacles in the Senate.
Over 20 states have implemented CROWN Act laws, although there is no federal legislation on the matter yet.
The discrepancies in levels of protection across different states have garnered significant attention in recent months.
George, a high school student from Texas, has been enduring in-school suspension since August due to his locs. The school claims that his locs violate the dress code as they fall below his eyebrows and ear lobes. However, George’s family disagrees with this assessment and has decided to take legal action against the school district.
Research reveals that Black students face disciplinary actions at a disproportionately higher rate compared to other racial or ethnic groups. Shockingly, 70 percent of all suspensions are discretionary, often due to dress code violations, such as “unapproved” hairstyles.
According to Asamoah, it is essential for our infants to be in educational environments that are nurturing and supportive, allowing them to flourish.
According to Watson Coleman, the disciplinary action taken against George is not simply due to a dress code violation. She believes that the underlying reason is because he is a young Black man in a predominantly white school district.
The federal CROWN Act aims to establish a solid foundation by offering research, statistics, and precedent to support the necessity of defining and prohibiting hair discrimination in both workplace and school settings. This would effectively reinforce the protection of civil rights.
The bill would also include precise explanations that outline how the enforcement mechanisms will be implemented.
According to Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), the CROWN Act serves not only as a measure to address discrimination but also as a crucial aspect of public health. Black women often resort to using chemicals on their hair in an attempt to conform to societal norms, which can lead to various health issues.
According to her, it is not only about conveying a message to Black Americans everywhere that they have a place of belonging.
“You belong everywhere, just as you are, whether you’re a student in the classroom, an employee in the workplace, or even the next Supreme Court justice.”
