OHIO, USA — State Representative Juanita O. Brent says hair discrimination is still alive and legal in Ohio. However, the state just took a step toward ending that.
The Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 178. Brent is a co-sponsor, along with State Representative Jamie Callender, of the bipartisan bill known as the C.R.O.W.N. Act. C.R.O.W.N. stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.
"How dare someone tell you how you should look when that is the natural state of your hair," Brent said.
If the bill becomes law, it will prohibit discrimination in public schools and preschools because of traits associated with race, including hair texture and styles, such as braids, locks and twists.
Representative Brent says she and the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus have been fighting for this for more than six years.
"Who would have thought that I could go to school and somebody could tell me your puffs are too big, you need to take them down or you could be sent home," Brent said. "That is what's happening right here in the state of Ohio. It's not something we're just talking about. It's not something that's happening in other places. This happened in Toledo to a little girl who got sent home because she had afro puffs in her hair."
Jamie Blunt and her daughter Jae, of Gahanna, have been growing their locks for seven years now. Jae will be a junior in high school. She says she has never had a problem with hair discrimination in school but is very happy the C.R.O.W.N. Act passed in the House.
They both say their hair speaks to who they are.
"I think you should be able to wear your hair the exact way you feel free to, and I think hair is a freedom of expression," Jamie said. "That's exactly why I'm locked. And I think it also spreads our culture. It's about us without even knowing us."
"A lot of girls I know wear their hair to express themselves, and I feel that it's a good thing that Black and Brown girls can express themselves like that," Jae said.
If the bill becomes law, a person could sue a school or preschool for discrimination over their hairstyle.
The Ohio House passed the CROWN Act by a vote of 83-7. It now goes to the Senate.