Black is beautiful and so is our hair! The U.S. House of Representatives just passed the CROWN Act, which would ban race-based hair discrimination in employment and those participating in federally assisted programs. Details inside…
We’re one step closer to ending race-based hair discrimination.
On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair."
#CROWNNews: For the second time, #TheCROWNAct (H.R. 2116,aka the CROWN Act of 2022) has passed out of The U.S. House of Representatives!
Grateful for the amazing Black women & sponsoring legislators who have led this movement, such as @RepBonnie (Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman). pic.twitter.com/QaORrt0j6H
— The CROWN Act (@thecrownact) March 18, 2022
The bill seeks to end discrimination and bias based on hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin, including protective styles such as locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, and Afros. LONG overdue!
The Democratic-led House voted 235-189 to pass the legislation. Woot!
”Natural Black hair is often deemed 'unprofessional' simply because it does not conform to White beauty standards," Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, the bill's sponsor, said in a statement. "Discrimination against Black hair is discrimination against Black people."
Black people, and black women disproportionately, are heavily affected by hair-based racism in the workplace, interpersonal interactions, sports and more. And thanks to the Crown Act, black women have a tool in their arsenal to fight back against one of the many factors attempting to prevent us from living our best lives.
Peep some reactions below:
By passing the #CROWNAct today, the House affirmed that Black is beautiful & so is our hair.
Whether you're a student, an employee, or our next Supreme Court Justice, you deserve to show up as your full self with your head held high. pic.twitter.com/opG3GAA1Mz
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) March 18, 2022
Natural hair should be worn with pride and without fear of discrimination. Today the House voted to pass the #CROWNAct to make that a reality. pic.twitter.com/EeWxEw04kB
— Jahana Hayes (@RepJahanaHayes) March 18, 2022
I’m beyond PROUD to be the one who created the legislative strategy for and leads the CROWN Act movement on behalf of the CROWN Coalition!
THANK YOU @Richmond46 for originally passing it & @RepJerryNadler@RepBonnie@RepPressley& @TheBlackCaucus for passing it TODAY! #CROWNAct
— ADJOA B. ASAMOAH (@adjoabasamoah) March 18, 2022
We did it y’all! - The passage of the CROWN Act in the U.S. House of Representatives! Thanks @RepBonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., for her legislative leadership.Creating a Respectful,World for Natural Hair Act, HR 2116, would prohibit discrimination based on hair texture & style. pic.twitter.com/PrGL560y1V
— sheryl lee ralph (@thesherylralph) March 18, 2022
For too long, women & girls of color—especially Black women—have been told their hair is unprofessional. Today, the House passed the #CROWNAct to ban race & nationality-based hair discrimination in workplaces & schools. For my daughters & yours, natural hair should be celebrated! pic.twitter.com/3HaXYZgzv5
— Sean Patrick Maloney (@RepSeanMaloney) March 18, 2022
Thank you, @AyannaPressley. You spoke for so many people who have been punished for their uniqueness and their humanity. You spoke for my 3 daughters.
My 14 year old is working to pass the CROWN Act here in Kentucky. I’ll make sure she sees this. pic.twitter.com/lq74djFqbP
— Charles Booker (@Booker4KY) March 18, 2022
It is time to end hair discrimination in America.
It is time to pass the #CROWNAct. pic.twitter.com/CIbYTSTIaA
— Rep. Shontel Brown (@RepShontelBrown) March 16, 2022
Versions of the CROWN Act are already law in over a dozen states, including New York, Virginia and California.
Now, the bill goes to the Senate for approval where Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey has sponsored the chamber's version of the bill.
In 2019, Dove and the CROWN Coalition, partnered with State Senator Holly J. Mitchell of California to introduce legislation to address the disparate impact of hair discrimination on Black people in workplaces and in schools. California Senate Bill 188 (SB 188) was introduced in January 2019 and signed into law on July 3, 2019, making California the first state to prohibit discrimination based on protective hairstyles and hair texture including locs, braids, bantu knots, and twists.
The inaugural CROWN Act spurred a nationwide movement to normalize Black hair and to date, thirteen (13) states have enacted The CROWN Act or laws inspired by the CROWN Act. A federal bill was introduced in both chambers of U.S. Congress in March 2021.
The Biden administration this week said it "strongly supports" the CROWN Act and "looks forward to working with the Congress to enact this legislation and ensure that it is effectively implemented."
Photo: Jacob Lund/Shutterstock
