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Sen. Brown Joins Sen. Booker in Introducing Legislation to
Ban Discrimination Based on Hair Textures and Hairstyles
Special to The Truth
Senators' Legislation
Follows Recent Reports of Hair Discrimination in Ohio and
Across the Nation
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown
(D-OH) has joined Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) in introducing the
Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN)
Act, legislation to ban discrimination based on hair
textures and hairstyles that are commonly associated with a
particular race or national origin. Reps. Cedric Richmond
(D-LA), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and
Barbara Lee (D-CA) have introduced a House version of the
bill.
Right now, existing federal
law prohibits some forms of hair discrimination as a type of
racial or national origin discrimination. However, some
federal courts have narrowly construed those protections in
a way that permits schools, workplaces, and federally funded
institutions to discriminate against people of African
descent who wear certain types of natural or protective
hairstyles. The CROWN Act changes that by making clear that
discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles
associated with people of African descent, including hair
that is tightly coiled or tightly curled, locs, cornrows,
twists, braids, Bantu knots, and Afros, is a prohibited form
of racial or national origin discrimination.
"No one should face
discrimination in the workplace or in school for wearing
their hair the way it grows naturally," said Senator Brown.
"We've heard too often of black workers or students targeted
and treated unfairly, simply because of their hair texture
and hairstyle. If we truly value the dignity of work, we
cannot accept discrimination of any kind. This legislation
will make a much-needed clarification that will help ensure
civil rights in our schools, workplaces and federally funded
institutions are protected."
"Discrimination against
black hair is discrimination against black people," Senator
Booker said. "Implicit and explicit biases against natural
hair are deeply ingrained in workplace norms and society at
large. This is a violation of our civil rights, and it
happens every day for black people across the country. You
need to look no further than Gabrielle Union, who was
reportedly fired because her hair was 'too black' - a toxic
dog-whistle African Americans have had to endure for far too
long. No one should be harassed, punished, or fired for the
beautiful hairstyles that are true to themselves and their
cultural heritage. Our work on this important issue was
enhanced by the tireless advocacy of my colleagues in the
Congressional Black Caucus, Crown Coalition advocate Adjoa
B. Asamoah, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational
Fund."
Pervasive discrimination
against natural hair also remains a significant barrier to
the professional advancement of people of color, especially
black women. A recent study found that black women are 50
percent more likely to be sent home from the workplace
because of their hair, and 80 percent of black women feel
the need to change their hair from its natural state to fit
in at the office. The same study found that black women's
hair is three times more likely to be perceived as
unprofessional.
Cincinnati City Council
voted in October to make it illegal to discriminate against
people with natural hair, making Cincinnati the second city
in the country to pass such a law.
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