Both the Connecticut State House and Senate have approved the CROWN Act as of March 1, a bill which bans employers from discriminating against natural female hairstyles.
The CROWN Act, or “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” aims to make the workplace a more inclusive space for people of color. Hair discrimination often targets afros, Bantu knots, braids, cornrows, dreadlocks and twists.
Hamden and New Haven Rep. Robyn Porter led the passage of the bill in the House, where it passed 139-9 on Feb. 24. Other Hamden leaders also supported the bill.
“This bill sends a strong message that we will accept people as they are,” said Hamden State Senator Jorge Cabrera on the Senate floor. “How you wear your hair has no bearing on how you do your job and should have no bearing on the qualifications you may have for a job you are applying for.”
According to a 2019 study conducted by Dove, 80% of Black women are more likely to alter their natural hair to accommodate social norms or work expectations and 1.5 times more likely to be sent home because of their hairstyle.
Eight out of 10 Black women are more likely to alter their natural hair to accommodate social or workplace norms.
“Why do I have to put a hot comb to my head?” Porter asked on the House floor. “Why? Because this society says we are not good enough and unless we conform and assimilate we might not accept you and most times when we do that we still are not accepted.”
Gaining recognition and respect for natural hair has been a goal of Asiyah Neal, president of NaturallyMe at Quinnipiac. NaturallyMe is an organization devoted to providing students with natural hair products and boosting positivity around hair of all varieties.
“I would hope eventually every state would enact this bill,” said Neal, senior health science studies major. “I am glad Connecticut is taking the steps to be more accepting. It’s just one less barrier for people of color when it comes to trying to succeed in the professional world.”
As Neal is applying to graduate school, she said she often feels inclined to straighten her hair and put it up, rather than letting it show its natural curls.
“I had my hair up and I could have done a twist out but I would rather have a slick ponytail where it is nice and slicked back to make it look better for the interview,” Neal said. “I shouldn’t have to do that. I shouldn’t have to feel like me wearing a fro to an interview would make me seem any less qualified for a job that I am qualified for.”
When advocating for the bill, Porter asked the other legislators to vote “yes” in support of the people who “can’t afford to be here.”
“At the end of the day we can’t talk about liberty and justice until there is equity, until there is actually liberty and justice for all,” Porter said. “Liberty for me and the people who look like me when they show up in spaces whether it be workplaces, schools, a wrestling ring, a skating rink and it comes with accommodation. We need to know no matter how we show up or how we wear our hair is not going to make people uncomfortable.”
“At the end of the day we can’t talk about liberty and justice until there is equity, until there is actually liberty and justice for all.”
Hamden and New Haven Rep. Robyn Porter
The only step left to finalize the bill is Gov. Ned Lamont’s signature, but lawmakers expect to sign after expressing support of the bill since it was presented in the State House. Discrimination is unacceptable in all ways, Lamont said in a press release, noting everyone knows there are concealed moments in every workplace when these discriminations take place.
“When a Black man or woman shows up for a job interview or to work, they should never be judged based on their hairstyle,” Lamont said “Their work product, commitment, dedication and work ethic should be the sources of their success. This measure is critical to helping build a more equitable society, and I urge the Senate to pass this bill so I can put my signature on it and we can get this law into our statute books.”
For students at Quinnipiac who would like to learn more about hair, skin and self care, Neal said NaturallyMe is open to all people as a place for empowerment regardless of their race or ethnicity.
“Natural hair is you wearing your hair the way it comes out of your head, no matter what it looks like,” Neal said. “Straight, curly, kinky, you are not straightening it or putting chemicals in it. The importance for Black people and other people of color is that we have normally had to assimilate. Societal norm is white people. The empowerment of natural hair is being able to wear your hair the way it comes out of your head.”
NaturallyMe meets every other Wednesday on Zoom at 9:15 p.m.