While this year IGNITE will nationally advocate for the CROWN act to pass Congress, Ohio is so excited to work on passing this piece of legislation at the state level.
First introduced by Representatives Juanita Brent and Paula Hicks-Hudson, of Cleveland and Toledo respectively, this legislation’s full title is “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.”
In a press release from the initial introduction of the bill in February of 2020, Rep. Brent described the importance of this bill in the following way:
“We want our schools to be welcoming places that embrace diversity—not discriminate against it. And yet, we continue to hear of instances of discrimination against black and brown kids who wear their hair naturally. The CROWN Act would end that,” Rep. Brent said. “This commonsense bill protects our kids and ensures they have the same opportunity to fulfill their promise as any other child in our state.”
Hair discrimination, particularly against styles like braids, locks, and twists, continues to make the news for causing serious personal, social, and economic consequences for Black people, especially Black women and non-binary individuals. Passing the CROWN Act in both houses of the Ohio Legislature would protect Ohioans from this type of discrimination in employment, schools, places of public accommodation, housing, and credit practices- all areas where systemic biases abound.
“The CROWN Act is a good first step to help eliminate the unconscious biases that too often hold people of color back in Ohio,” said Rep. Hicks-Hudson. “...At the end of the day, the way you wear your hair should not limit your pursuit of the American Dream.”
While the importance of the act alone is enough to make our Ohio IGNITE community excited to advocate for it, we have the support of our communities and cities. Cincinnati was the second city to pass the CROWN Act in October of 2019 and Columbus recently adopted the act via provisions in the City Code, which went into effect on January 16.
The legislation is also timely, with racial disparities in health, education, and wealth on the rise across the country, but also notably in Ohio. IGNITE is eager and ready to follow the leadership of phenomenal visionaries like State Reps. Brent and Hicks-Hudson, Columbus City Councilmembers Priscilla Tyson and Shayla Favor, and Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge in support of the CROWN Act.
Learn more about the CROWN Act and sign up to join us IGNITE the Capitol Ohio.