On April 23, 2019 the California Senate passed The CROWN Act. The word CROWN is an abbreviation of: Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair. Moving forward in the state of California, you may not discriminate nor be discriminated against because of one’s hair. This comes only one month after the CROWN Coalition comprised of the National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty, Color Of Change, and Dove announced their sponsorship of the Bill, 188.
CA Senate today approved 37-0 my bill to end discrimination against Black workers and students who choose to wear their natural CROWN. #thecrownact #crowncoalition #SB188 https://t.co/Lu4aladdI7
— SenHJMitchell (@SenHJMitchell) April 22, 2019
The author of the bill, Senator Holly J. Mitchell, claimed dress codes that banned certain hairstyles and textures punished black people for their natural appearance. On Monday she stated, “There are still far too many cases of black employees and applicants denied employment or promotion — even terminated — because of the way they choose to wear their hair. I have heard far too many reports of black children humiliated and sent home from school because their natural hair was deemed unruly or a distraction to others.”.
By: Desjah Altvater
