The Minnesota House passes the Crown Act. The bill makes it illegal to discriminate against someone because of their hairstyle. The acronym for “Crown” is “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” This act adds hairstyle and texture to a provision in the Minnesota Human Rights Act that prohibits racial discrimination in housing, employment, and education, among other areas. The bill passed 104-25.
The Importance of the Crown Act
MN Representative Esther Agbaje, the bill’s author, stated that the legislation adds explicit language on hair-based discrimination. Thus, making it easier for judges that have discrimination cases to come before them and simplifying the complaint process. “At the heart of this bill is the ability to allow more people to show up as their authentic selves in school or in the workplace without fear of repercussions because of their hair,” Agbaje said before the vote on Monday.
Unfortunately, many employers banned natural hairstyles for Black employees such as afros, braids, and dreadlocks, and fired them. Agbaje’s hope for this bill was to prevent these type of incidents and remove stress from Black employees and students, who felt pressured to change their hair.
States Who Have Passed Similar Acts
Currently, 14 states have enacted a similar law against hair discrimination. Last year, MN U.S. Rep. IIhan Omar teamed up with four Black congresswomen in reintroducing the legislation. In addition, they sent a letter to VP Kamala Harris asking for her backing of the bill. U.S. Senator Cory Booker, of NJ, reintroduced a companion bill in the senate. Democratic state Rep. Rena Mora, of St. Paul, authored a Crown Act that passed in 2020, but it was not considered in the GOP-controlled Senate.
Hopefully, more states join on board with passing the Crown Act or similar. Black people shouldn’t be ashamed of their natural tresses and it should not determine their future in society.
