The CROWN Act is a bill that prohibits discrimination based on race in hair care.

Friday's House vote approved legislation banning discrimination on the basis of hairstyle or hair texture.

The CROWN Act is a bill that prohibits discrimination based on race in hair care.

Bonnie Watson Coleman introduced the CROWN Act to prohibit hair-based discrimination. It would ban hairstyles that are commonly associated with a specific race or national origin. The legislation would cover hairstyles such as those that are tightly coiled, curled, or twists. It also covers locs, cornrows and twists.

The measure was passed by a vote 235 to 189. 14 Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the legislation.

Watson Coleman stated that natural black hair is often considered 'unprofessional' because it doesn't conform to white beauty standards. "Discrimination against Black Hair is discrimination against Black People. I am proud to have been a part of ending discrimination against people based on how their hair grows.

Similar measures have been passed in more than a dozen other states. Democratic leaders attempted to speed up the passage of legislation by voting for it as a suspension bill last month. This House rule allows non-controversial bills to be considered quickly and without amendments. The CROWN bill was defeated because it requires two-thirds support to pass bills suspended from the rules.

The companion bill that Senator Cory Booker introduced has not been approved.

Watson Coleman, a House member, gave a speech Friday from the House floor in which he listed instances of Black Americans being denied federal assistance, losing jobs, or being treated unfairly because of their hair.

She said, "It's important for the young girls as well as the young boys to cut their hair during a wrestling match in public because some White referees say that your hair is not appropriate to engage in your match."

Cori Bush, a Missouri freshman Democrat, spoke out about hair discrimination based on personal experience.

She said, "As a black woman who loves braids, I understand what it's like for me to feel isolated due to how my hair looks." "This is the last time that we will say no to Black people being demeaning and discriminated against because of the same hairstyles that corporations profit off."

Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, the Congressman, claimed that the Constitution already prohibits discrimination based on race and that this bill is unnecessary.

Jordan stated, "Fourteen months' worth of chaos and we're making a bill about hair." "I believe the American people expect more of their Congress... I hope that we can focus on the things which matter to them."

Al Green, a Democrat from Texas countered that Jordan's assessment was not in line with what Black Americans want.

"When the American people say they don't want it you can't exclude Black people. Black people would like this to be on the floor. He said that this is a Black household issue at the kitchen table.


 

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