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On Friday, the House of Representatives passed H.R.2116, the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act.
The act would prohibit discrimination based on a person’s hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment.
The legislation was reintroduced in March 2021 after stalling in the Republican-led Senate last session. Similar bills have already been passed in 15 states and 30 cities.
“Natural Black hair is often deemed ‘unprofessional’ simply because it does not conform to white beauty standards,” said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), one of the bill’s co-sponsors. “Discrimination against Black hair is discrimination against Black people. I’m proud to have played a part to ensure that we end discrimination against people for how their hair grows out of their head.”
“For centuries, Black folks’ hair—particularly that of Black women—has been politicized and weaponized to discriminate and reject the dignity and beauty of our people,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA). “By passing the CROWN Act out of the House today, we’re taking a bold step toward ending race-based hair discrimination and affirming the right for all of us to show up in the world as our full and authentic selves, no matter where we work or go to school. I’m honored to co-lead this bill and look forward to seeing this critical bill signed into law.”
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey has sponsored the chamber’s version of the bill.
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.”
