According to the CROWN Coalition, which advocated for the enactment of the CROWN Act prohibiting hair discrimination in California, black women in the U.S. are 80 percent more likely then their colleagues to change their natural hairstyle to conform to workplace expectations. The practice of workplace hair discrimination is deeply rooted in institutional and systemic racism against African American self expression.
Montgomery County residents who wear their hair in natural hairstyles are protected from discrimination since February 6th, when the CROWN Act became law. The legislation, originally sponsored as Bill 30-19 by Council-members Will Jawando and Nancy Navarro, prohibits discrimination based on natural hairstyles such as braids, locks, afros, curls, and twists. African American residents and residents with African ancestry are more likely to be affected by workplace discrimination and other forms of prejudice. While considering the bill, the County Council heard testimony from residents about the level of discrimination they suffered due to their choice to wear natural and protective hairstyles.
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