In June 2020, the CROWN Act was signed into law in Virginia, making it the first state in the United States to ban discrimination based on natural hair. C.R.O.W.N. stands for “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” and the law aims to address the systemic discrimination that many Black Americans face due to their natural hair.
For decades, Black Americans have been subjected to discriminatory hair policies in schools and workplaces, including bans on natural hairstyles. These policies have been used to police and discriminate against Black hair, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and limiting opportunities for Black people.
The CROWN Act is a significant step towards addressing this issue. It prohibits employers, schools, and other institutions from discriminating against people based on their natural hair texture, style, or protective hairstyles such as braids, twists, and locs. It also protects against discrimination based on hair length, hair texture, or hairstyles that are commonly associated with a particular race or ethnicity.
The CROWN Act was first introduced in California in January 2019, and it quickly gained momentum across the country. Since then, several states, including New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Nebraska, Colorado, Washington, and Virginia, have passed similar legislation to ban hair discrimination.
One of the most notable cases of hair discrimination in recent years was the case of Andrew Johnson, a high school wrestler from New Jersey. In 2018, Johnson was forced to cut off his locs before a wrestling match, or else forfeit the match. The incident sparked outrage and reignited the conversation about hair discrimination in schools and sports.
Andrew Johnson of Buena Regional High School being forced to get a haircut rather than forfeit the game.
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In 2017, two Black high school students in Massachusetts, Mya and Deanna Cook, were prohibited from participating in any extracurricular activities at their school, including prom.
The school threatened to suspend the Cook sisters for violating the dress code after they refused to take out their braided hair extensions and were given multiple hours of detention. The Cooks fought back. Students, parents, organizations, and the Massachusetts attorney general rallied against the school, condemning its rules as discriminatory and in violation of both state and federal laws.
Another high-profile case was that of Chastity Jones, who lost a job offer because of her dreadlocks. Jones was offered a job at Catastrophe Management Solutions in Alabama, but the company rescinded the offer after she refused to cut her dreadlocks. Jones filed a lawsuit, but it was dismissed by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that the company’s policy did not constitute race discrimination.
These cases illustrate the pervasive nature of hair discrimination and the need for legislative action to protect individuals from discrimination based on their natural hair. The CROWN Act and similar legislation are essential steps towards ending this form of discrimination and creating a more inclusive society.
However, some critics argue that it is unnecessary and could lead to frivolous lawsuits. Opponents argue that employers and schools should have the right to enforce dress codes and grooming policies as they see fit. They also claim that it could lead to confusion and legal challenges, as it may be difficult to determine what constitutes discrimination based on hair.
Despite these criticisms, the CROWN Act has received widespread support from advocates, lawmakers, and civil rights groups. Supporters argue that natural hair discrimination is a serious issue that has long-lasting impacts on Black individuals, including limiting job opportunities and affecting their self-esteem.
In addition to legislation, many companies and organizations have also taken steps to address hair discrimination. For example, in 2019, the Army revised its grooming policies to allow for natural hairstyles such as twists and locs. Several major companies, including Dove and Pantene, have launched campaigns to celebrate and promote natural hair.
This legislation is an important step towards ending hair discrimination and creating a more inclusive society. It sends a powerful message that discrimination based on hair texture, style, or protective hairstyles will no longer be tolerated. However, more work needs to be done to address systemic racism and discrimination in all forms.
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The post Black Hair Matters: How the CROWN Act is Fighting Back Against Hair Discrimination appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
