Legal Protections For Black People’s Hair Are Still Gaining Momentum, 2 Years Later
Advocates of the CROWN Act reflect on its impact and the many remaining challenges on changing beauty standards.
Candice Norwood
Originally published by The 19th
Two years ago, California became the first state to sign a bill expanding anti-discrimination protections to hair textures and styles like afros, braids and locs that reflect Black identity, turning a national spotlight on hair restrictions affecting Black people in workplaces and schools. The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act, or CROWN Act, has since been passed in 12 other states and 29 municipalities.
Legal experts and champions for such policies told The 19th that the new laws have led to important discussions about how White-centric standards of professionalism and beauty harm people of color. St...