The CROWN Act by Jasmine Sellars

Passed in California in 2019, The CROWN Act is an official law that forbids hair discrimination based on race by denying employment and educational opportunities. An acronym for ‘Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair’, this law also prohibits bias based on hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locs, twists and many other hairstyles. Currently, the CROWN Act has already been enacted in 19 states in the U.S. and is actively encouraging people around the country to notify their state legislators by signing petitions so the law can become nationwide.

Though the Senate has enacted this law, it is still up to each state to adopt the law and make hair discrimination illegal. Due to this, more than half of the countries have still not passed the CROWN Act in their state. One of the most crucial hair discrimination cases recently is the story of Treyvion Grey, a Black high school senior from Texas who was recently suspended because his locs were too long. Just a few weeks into his suspension, the disciplinary board at the Needville ISD threatened to exclude Grey from his graduation ceremony.

Though Grey expressed that there were other students with hair much longer than his, his school was adamant that he cut his hair. After suing his school district, Grey explains that his hair represents his culture and identity and that his suspension caused him a great deal of “emotional distress”.

Since the enactment of the CROWN Act, the Black community engages in several conversations about Black hair and the importance of representation. On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, Hofstra’s Cultural Center hosted an open panel discussion on the implications of the CROWN Act and why representation of Black hair within the educational and workplace environment is crucial. An important point of discussion to highlight is that although several states are unable to racially discriminate against people based on their hair, employers also have the right to authorize how the appearance of their employees should look. This includes setting standards for non-racial characteristics that affect all types of people, and not just Black people.

For example, even though the policy at a hospital may enforce a uniform requirement for specific attire and hairstyles, this does not necessarily mean that the hospital's rules are racially based hair discrimination. If the hospital says that workers are not allowed to keep their hair long, this rule applies to all groups of people, which means it is not racially discriminatory. However, if the rule prohibited afros and locs, this would be considered discriminatory because this is a hairstyle and Black people are mostly known for wearing.

In a C.R.O.W.N Research Study conducted by Dove and JOY Collective in 2019, research shows that 83% of Black women are more likely to report feeling unfairly judged based on her looks more than women of other races. Black women are also 80% more likely to feel as if they must alter their natural hair to look professional at work (Crown ACT Coalition).

As a young Black woman who is passionate about my hair, I fully support the CROWN Act and the efforts that Dove and JOY Collective have accomplished in advocating for representation of natural hair and protective styles. Styling my hair in many ways allows me to express myself and gives me confidence. When I am look my best, I feel my best and my hair is an important part of my identity, my passion and how other people view me, as well.

Though the CROWN ACT is recognized as a steppingstone towards promoting social justice and combating racial discrimination, there is still a need for acceptance of natural hair and its cultural significance across the world. By signing this petition, you can join the movement and help enforce laws to outlaw hair discrimination. To send a letter to your federal legislator, use this template and spread the word!

Jasmine Sellars is a NOAH scholar and journalist studying at Hofstra's Lawrence Herbert School of Communication through their Accelerated Journalism BA/MA program. She is also a student fellow at the Center for “Race,” Culture and Social Justice.

Works Cited
Coalition , Crown Act. “The Official Crown Act.” The Official CROWN Act, https://www.thecrownact.com/.

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