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California working to end natural hair discrimination

Every day we get closer to equality not only in society but now in the workplace. This issue, which largely goes unnoticed by those not affected, is paving the way for workplace equality and working to right some of the wrongs that are being used as a barrier to race and social injustice.

Most people probably don’t think about their hairstyle when going to work. That’s not to say that blue spiked punk rock hair-dos isn’t taboo in the office but for the most part, your hair is not a human resources point of contention. That is of course unless you go for some “natural hairstyles.”

Natural hair is usually associated with African Americans and can include afros, braids, twists, and dreadlocks. The natural look gained recent popularity to the health-conscious as an alternative to current chemical straighteners and other potentially harmful products.

California has become the first state to combat this discrimination with a bill called Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural hair Act or CROWN. Sen. Holly Mitchell, the author of the bill, stated, “Despite the great strides American society and laws have made to reverse the racist ideology that Black traits are inferior, hair remains a rampant source of racial discrimination.”

The bill, if passed, would make great strides in equality for all races in the workforce and create a higher level of inclusion in all aspects of society.