In recent years, there has been a growing movement to celebrate and embrace natural hair. However, discrimination against people with natural hair continues to be a problem in many parts of the United States. This is where the CROWN Act comes in. The CROWN Act is a piece of legislation that seeks to end discrimination based on hair texture and style. In this blog post, we will discuss the CROWN Act, the states it has affected, and how it will affect natural hair stylists and braiders moving forward.
The CROWN Act, which stands for "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair," was first introduced in California in 2019. The legislation prohibits discrimination against people with natural hair or hairstyles, including afros, braids, twists, and locks, in schools and the workplace. The CROWN Act was created in response to incidents of discrimination against people with natural hair, particularly Black women and girls. The bill was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom in July 2019, making California the first state to pass such legislation.
Since then, several other states have followed suit. As of May 2023, the CROWN Act has been passed in 13 states and the District of Columbia: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. In addition to these states, several other states have introduced or are considering introducing their own versions of the CROWN Act.
The passage of the CROWN Act is a significant victory for people with natural hair and those who choose to wear their hair in traditional African hairstyles. It provides legal protection against discrimination in schools and the workplace, which can have a significant impact on the lives of many people. The legislation also sends a powerful message about the importance of embracing diversity and respecting cultural differences.
One group of people who are likely to be positively impacted by the CROWN Act are natural hair stylists and braiders. Prior to the passage of the legislation, many natural hair stylists and braiders were required to obtain cosmetology licenses, which can be costly and time-consuming. This was often a barrier to entry for people who wanted to work in the natural hair industry but did not have the resources to obtain a cosmetology license. However, in states that have passed the CROWN Act, natural hair stylists and braiders are now able to operate without a license, provided that they only work with natural hair.
The passage of the CROWN Act is a step forward in the fight against discrimination based on hair texture and style. However, there is still much work to be done to address systemic racism and discrimination in the United States. The CROWN Act is just one piece of the puzzle, and more legislation and action are needed to create a truly respectful and open world for all people, regardless of their hair or any other physical characteristic.
In conclusion, the CROWN Act is a crucial piece of legislation that seeks to end discrimination against people with natural hair or hairstyles. It has already been passed in 13 states and the District of Columbia, and more states are considering introducing their own versions of the bill. The legislation provides legal protection against discrimination in schools and the workplace and is likely to have a positive impact on natural hair stylists and braiders. However, there is still much work to be done to address discrimination in all its forms, and the passage of the CROWN Act is just one step in the right direction.