Black people who wear Afros, cornrows or tightly coiled twists should not face bias in society, school and the workplace, the U.S. House said Friday in voting to make it explicit that such discrimination is a violation of federal civil rights law.
“There are folks in this society who think because your hair is kinky, it is braided, it is in knots or it is not straightened blonde and light brown, that you somehow are not worthy of access,” Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, the lead sponsor of the bill, said during debate on the House floor. “Well, that’s discrimination.”
“This is what the Democrats are focused on,” said Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan. “Fourteen months of chaos and we’re doing a bill on hair.” “These members, who are mostly male and white, who have never experienced this kind of discrimination, who don’t have the ability to actually speak to it … really should leave it up to the policymakers who have done the work and who have experienced this level of discrimination,” the progressive lawmaker said in an interview Friday.
Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat, began to work on the proposal after two incidents of discrimination made national headlines. One involved Mya and Deanna Cook of Malden, Massachusetts. “It’s such a shock that it doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are, what you are — when people have hatred towards a certain group, they don’t care. They will treat you in that type of way,” Deanna Cook told The Associated Press in an interview. “That’s why we need the Crown Act because kids are being hurt from this so badly.”
In a December 2018 incident in New Jersey, a high school student was forced to choose between forfeiting his wrestling game or cutting off his dreadlocks. Andrew Johnson, then 16, got his hair cut courtside and went on to win the match. But he appeared visibly distraught by what had happened.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Black Restaurant Week honors Black-owned businesses in North TexasBlack Restaurant Week honors Black-owned businesses in North Texas March 18-25
Les mer »
House passes CROWN Act banning discrimination against Black hairstylesJUST IN: House votes 235-189 to approve bill to prohibit 'discrimination based on an individual's texture or style of hair.' The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration.
Les mer »
House passes CROWN Act banning discrimination against Black hairstylesThe House on Friday passed the CROWN Act, which would ban hair-related discrimination.
Les mer »
Meet San Diego's first black female Olympian, Jackie Thompson -SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – In honor of Women’s Heritage Month, KUSI wants to introduce you to a special athlete. A sprinter, Jackie Thompson ran in the 1972 Olympic Games while still a student at Lincoln High School in San Diego. She won the 1972 Olympic Trials 200, and placed third at the 1973 AAU Meet. Her 1972 Olympic appearance was...
Les mer »
SAFE PASSAGE?: Black coalitions created for #AfricansInUkraine - New York Amsterdam NewsAs the third week of the Russian assault on Ukraine begins, the treatment of African refugees in Ukraine remains at the forefront. AfricansInUkraine
Les mer »