My Hair is My Crown

Discrimination against Black people based on hair is real. Over ten years ago, I wrote Styling Civil Rights: The Effect of Section 1981 and the Public Accommodations Act on Black Women’s Access to White Stylists & Salons (here). The article discussed the history and magnificence of Black women’s relationship with hair and analyzed legal remedies (or the lack thereof) if a Black woman faces discrimination due to her hair. More specifically, the article examined the legal rights and remedies of Black women denied service by predominately White hair salons in the context of Section 1981 of Title 42 in the United States Code and the Public Accommodations Act in Title II of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964.

This article represents a labor of love. I am extremely proud of it. The most amazing (and puzzling) thing about the article is that it is still relevant. Its discussion of “Black hair” is applicable today and provides a backdrop to the discrimination that Black people, especially Black women, have faced due to their hair. More importantly, it outlines the celebratory and prideful feelings connected to hair.

Now, more than ten years after my article, discrimination based on hair against Black people continues to exist. The Crown Act is an act to ensure protection against discrimination based on hairstyles, such as braids, locs, and twists, in the workplace and public schools. The act has been passed in several states. This is a step in the right direction, but still much work to do.

I hope you read the article and use it to continue this important conversation.