Written By: Melissa M.
Let’s be real. Black hair has always been a statement. Whether it is locs, braids, twists, or a fresh Afro, our hair tells a story. But for too long, that story has been misunderstood, judged, and even punished. From schools to the workplace, hair discrimination is still happening. The good news? The CROWN Act is changing the game.
Hair discrimination happens when people are treated unfairly just because of how their natural hair looks or the protective styles they wear. Think about students getting kicked out of school for wearing locs. Or job seekers being told to straighten their curls to look more “professional.”
This is not about hygiene or grooming. It is about control. It is about telling Black people that the way their hair grows out of their scalp is not good enough. That has never been okay.
The CROWN Act stands for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. It was first introduced in California back in 2019 and was created to stop race-based hair discrimination in schools and workplaces. The movement behind the law was led by the CROWN Coalition, including advocacy groups and brands like Dove.
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Why did it need to exist? Because federal laws about racial discrimination did not clearly cover hair. Courts would often say things like “you can change your hairstyle” and refuse to see it as racial bias. But when your natural hair is part of your identity, telling you to change it is discrimination.
As of now, about half the states in the U.S. have passed some version of the CROWN Act. These laws protect people from being judged or excluded based on their natural hair or culturally rooted styles.
However, the fight is far from over. Some states have no laws at all. Even on the federal level, the CROWN Act has been introduced multiple times in Congress but has not yet been passed.
That means millions of people across the country still do not have full legal protection against hair discrimination. Some are still losing jobs, getting suspended from school, or being forced to cut their hair just to fit in.
his is not just about appearance. Hair is tied to identity, pride, and cultural roots. Being told that your hair is “unprofessional” or “distracting” sends a message that who you are is not acceptable.
For many Black men and women, wearing their natural hair is not just a style choice, it is a statement of self-love. It is about rejecting harmful beauty standards and owning your identity without apology.
That is why this issue gets people fired up. It is about dignity. It is about being seen and respected in every space, whether it is the boardroom, the classroom, or anywhere else.
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Your hair tells a story. It holds culture, confidence, and creativity. The CROWN Act is about making sure that story is respected. Every person deserves to show up in their truth without being judged for the way they wear their crown.
Hair is not just hair. It is freedom. It is pride. And it deserves protection.
