Teens fought Black hair discrimination in Kansas town and won. Let’s take it statewide | Opinion

Did you know:

• A Black woman is 80% more likely to change her natural hair to meet social norms or expectations at work.
• Black girls as young as 5 experience hair discrimination (as reported by their parents).
• By age 12 , 86% of Black teenagers started experiencing discrimination based on their hair.
• Eighty-one percent of Black children in majority-white schools say they sometimes wish their hair was straight.

Before states began passing the Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair or CROWN Act in 2019, laws in the United States did not afford protection for race-based hair discrimination, even when the hairstyle was inherent to the wearer’s racial identity. That meant that Black people were denied opportunities for employment or professional advancement without consequence. It meant that some Black children were turned away from educational opportunities because of their natural hair.

Some members of Atchison United Youth have experienced this discrimination firsthand. As a group devoted to bringing the community together and promoting diversity and unity, this was not OK with us. Protecting the right for Black children to wear natural and protective hairstyles freely is a crucial step in building our self-confidence. For these reasons, we decided that together, we needed to take action by bringing the CROWN Act to the attention of the Atchison City Commission and the community at large, and urge its passage in our city. And that’s what we accomplished.

The CROWN Act is needed because discrimination against natural and protective hair styles has real-world consequences. Many of our peers across the country have been punished, suspended, excluded, held in detention, banned from prom, kicked off sports teams and otherwise discriminated against just for wearing natural and protective hairstyles.

Hairstyle intolerance a form of discrimination

Hair discrimination is closely related to texturism, which health and wellness website WebMD defines as is “discrimination based on how close or far your natural hair is to European tresses” that are naturally straight and fine in texture. Nobody should ever have to have this experience based solely on how their hair may grow from their head, or for wearing a protective style. For many of us, it is easier, healthier and safer to wear braids, dreadlocks, Afros or natural hair than to chemically straighten hair for a more “professional” appearance aligned with European standards.

Cultural diversity is the cornerstone of a vibrant and thriving society. It is the tapestry of unique customs, traditions, languages and beliefs that make our world rich and colorful. Embracing cultural diversity is not merely a gesture of tolerance, but a commitment to inclusivity, understanding and respect.

In this context, the passage of the CROWN Act holds great significance. This groundbreaking legislation not only addresses a specific form of discrimination but also contributes to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

All Black Kansans deserve protection

Passing the CROWN Act ensures that employers, schools, businesses and courts understand that the regulation of Black hair based on the assumption that straight, fine hair is considered the norm is discrimination. It also helps people understand that workplaces and schools that require people of color to change the texture of their hair by straightening it to satisfy a physical standard of professionalism that has been defined by European or “white” appearance norms is unnatural and can be harmful.

Passing the CROWN Act can help reduce the financial and health burdens that stem from the regulation and prohibition of natural and protective hairstyles. Most of all, passing the CROWN Act is necessary because it can further aid in creating an inclusive and supportive community where Black children can grow up with love of their natural hair and ultimately be free of hair-based race discrimination.

We were very excited and honored to have played a major part in getting the CROWN Act passed in Atchison. Today, 23 states have passed it or similar legislation against hairstyle discrimination. We hope that our Kansas legislators are open to learning why passing a statewide CROWN Act is crucial for all Kansans.

This is not a Republican versus Democrat issue, but one that personally affects us, our friends, classmates and peers. We are honored to be advocates for positive change.