Colorado just became the latest state to make natural hair discrimination illegal in the workplace. The CROWN Act legislation, which was passed by state lawmakers in March, officially went into effect this past Monday 14th September.
Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod sponsored the bill and talked about her own experiences as a Black woman in politics. “No one should be penalised for the way their hair grows naturally out of their heads,” Herod told The Denver Post. “We should support and celebrate our diversity, and we should ensure that Colorado is in place to protect folks who are being discriminated against.”
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
As of today, RIGHT NOW, the CROWN Act is in effect throughout Colorado. No longer is discrimination based on ethnic hairstyles legal in Colorado! #crownact @crowncampaign #coleg pic.twitter.com/oE4i5FoXNZ
— Leslie Herod (@leslieherod) September 15, 2020
According to the bill, "People of African descent are deprived of educational and employment opportunities because they are adorned with natural or protective hairstyles." Passing the CROWN Act, which stands for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, will ensure that Black people are afforded equal opportunities in the workplace, school, housing, and public services in the state.
Colorado now joins New York, California, Washington, Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey in passing the CROWN Act. Currently, seven additional states have pre-filed the act, but not yet passed it. And a staggering 17 US states filed the CROWN Act, but did not pass it.
Colorado's latest move is a significant step in the right direction, especially as people come together to fight systemic racism and other discriminatory systems in America.