The CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) Act, created in 2019 by the Crown Coalition and DOVE, in partnership with the late State Senator Holly J. Mitchell of California, was set in place to ensure protection against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles such as braids, locs, twists, and knots in the workplace and public schools.
By creating a space for Black people to feel comfortable wearing their natural hair, companies will allow diversity in their workplace. This is beneficial for both parties by increasing creativity, providing a variety of different and new perspectives, and increasing innovation, which gives companies a competitive advantage. Also it creates a more inclusive workplace for people from different walks of life and connects everyone in the company.
The mold of “professionalism” for women, specifically, caters to White beauty standards, involving silky, smooth, straight hair, something not common to the majority of Black women. To fit into this mold Black women have to straighten their hair, either chemically or with heat. Not only is this damaging to the hair itself but it can be damaging to our self image and can make Black women feel as if our hair is not good enough or pretty enough to be in professional, or grandiose settings, when that is not the case.
The CROWN Act is important because it confirms that hair discrimination is a form of race discrimination. The 2019 Dove CROWN Research Study finds that 80% of Black women find themselves having to change their hair from its natural state to fit in in corporate America. No one should have to alter their natural appearance to fit into this mold of “professionalism.” By doing its part to assist in ending racial discrimination in the workplace, Dove helps to create more opportunities based on qualifications and not on appearance.
Finally, the CROWN Act is worth supporting because Black people’s hair matters. It is not just hair, it is hundreds of years worth of culture entwined into every twist, and history looped into every kink and curl. Embracing natural black hair and beauty is empowering and traditional. It is more than just a style or a look, it is a connection to our roots, our own story often taking hours to accomplish. Whether Afros, locs, twists, or braids, Black hairstyles should not only be acceptable in the workplace, it should be celebrated.
Nevertheless, the work will not be done until the CROWN Act is made federal law. You can help make this possible by taking a few minutes to sign and share with your friends the petition found at thecrownact.com. You could even take one step further by contacting your federal legislator and letting them know you would like to #PasstheCROWN.
Watch the Crown Awards Live on rolling out at 7 p.m. on July 3. Click here.
