Your Hair, Your Rights: Understanding the CROWN Act

Does your school currently have any policies that restrict natural hairstyles? Many schools across the country don’t have protections in place to prevent hair discrimination. In Texas, a student named Darryl George was suspended from school in 2023 for violating a policy that prohibits male students from having hair longer than their earlobes. He was denied access to public education simply because of the length of his hair. Situations like this are exactly why the CROWN Act was created.

What is it?

The CROWN Act stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” It was created in 2019 by Dove and the CROWN Coalition, along with California State Senator Holly J. Mitchell. As of now, the Act has been passed in 27 out of 50 states. The CROWN Act protects people against race-based hair discrimination, which occurs when someone is denied opportunities at school or work due to their hair texture or the protective styles they choose to wear, such as braids, locs, twists, or bantu knots.

Why does it matter?

Race-based hair discrimination can be especially harmful for students and workers of color. School policies that ban certain hairstyles, often rooted in cultural traditions, can damage students’ confidence and mental health. These policies can even lead to suspension or removal from school, as seen in the case of Darryl George.

In the workplace, this type of discrimination affects hiring decisions and how employees are treated. Someone could miss out on a job or face bias from coworkers simply because of their natural hairstyle. Without legal protections like the CROWN Act, people of color may face unfair consequences in school and work just for wearing their natural hair.

How does it affect you?

In states where the CROWN Act is in place, schools and workplaces must ensure that their dress codes do not include discriminatory policies about hair texture or style. These policies must be inclusive of all cultures and traditions, helping to create a more positive and culturally aware environment.

This means you can wear your hair however you choose, without worrying about being discriminated against, suspended, or excluded from activities and opportunities.

What can you do?

There are many ways to get involved and learn more about the CROWN Act:

• Celebrate National CROWN Day on July 3rd, which marks the day the first CROWN Act was signed into law in California in 2019.

• Visit the CROWN Act website to learn about fighting hair discrimination, addressing microaggressions, and supporting natural hair care through their CROWN Clubs.

• Sign the petition on the site to help end race-based hair discrimination nationwide.

Learn More

• https://rubinthomlinson.com/dont-touch-my-hair-a-guide-to-investigating-race-based-hair-discrimination/

• https://www.thecrownact.com/crown-clubs

References

• https://www.thecrownact.com

• https://www.idra.org/resource-center/confronting-hair-discrimination-in-schools-a-call-to-honor-black-history-by-protecting-student-rights/#:~:text=Hair%20Discrimination's%20Racist%20Roots&text=For%20example%2C%20in%20the%20Barbers,Kaden%20Bradford%20and%20Darryl%20George.