MILWAUKEE, WI — In early July, California became the first state in the country to ban racial discrimination based on natural hair. Now, one Wisconsin lawmaker wants the same protections for citizens who wear afros, braids, locs and twists.
State Rep. LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee) introduced legislation on Thursday that she says will make hair discrimination in Wisconsin against the law.
The bill, known as the Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural hair Act – CROWN Act for short – would update Wisconsin state statutes to include protections for individuals who wear natural hairstyles predominately worn by African Americans
“This protection was based on a federal discrimination lawsuit in 1976, Afros are not the only natural hairstyles worn. It is important that our state statutes reflect the societal changes that have occurred in the last 43 years,” she said in a statement to Patch. “Updating our state statutes to end discrimination based on hair textures and protective styles will help to foster healthier, more productive, and more diverse workplace environments.”
Myers said she took her inspiration from California’s law, which amends the Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Education Code to prevent employers and schools from enforcing purportedly “race neutral” grooming policies that disproportionately impact people of color.
Under Wisconsin’s proposed bill, employers will still be able to make and enforce hair and dress code rules, as long as they are not discriminatory. For example, employers can still require employees to secure their hair for workplace safety or hygiene reasons.
“After learning about legislation passed in California by State Senator Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), I was inspired to introduce the CROWN Act in Wisconsin,” she said. “I feel it is necessary for all people to be affirmed and accepted for who they are. As black people, our natural hair textures have often been weaponized and used as a tool of rejection when seeking or maintaining employment.”
As lawmakers consider similar legislation in New York and New Jersey, opposition to against such anti-discriminatory policies have continued. A racial discrimination complaint was brought against a Florida Christian school last year after a 6-year-old boy with dreadlocks was not allowed to attend. In January, a Texas mother accused her son’s school of having a “racist and gendered” policy because he was sent home and asked to cut his locs, according to news reports.
Additional Reporting By Noah Manskar, Patch Staff