Hair Discrimination

A recent event in Texas raises the bigger issue of hair discrimination which has been a problem for decades in schools and the workplace. 

NPR, Fair use, https://www.npr.org/2023/12/06/1217580867/black-texas-student-returns-to-class-suspended-again-natural-hair

Darryl George, a junior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas was suspended on August 31 after wearing locs to school. The school has prohibited hair longer than earlobe length and said that George failed to comply with the dress code. However, George had his hair pinned down to appear shorter at school. His hair was in locs to represent and express his culture with a sense of pride. So why is expressing yourself through your hair such a problem? 

As far back as the 17th century, African Americans were shamed for their hair and forced to conform to Eurocentric hairstyles, such as straight hair. Now that we are in the modern age, African Americans are more comfortable with embracing their natural hair.  

Nonetheless, this will not stop natural hairstyles from being in disfavor of society. African American hairstyles, such as afros, locs, naturally curly hair, and even braids are seen as unacceptable in some US school districts and workplaces.  

“It’s terrible because blacks, especially black women face this issue,” junior Summer Ansley said. “They receive many uncomfortable comments about their hair such as ‘Can I touch your hair?’ or ‘Is that your real hair?’.” 

Many microaggressions regarding hair that are seen as pure curiosity or compliments to other people are seen as offensive to some Black people. 

Workplace 

African Americans in the workplace, mostly Black women, are affected by the prejudice that society holds against natural hair. While some workplaces have grooming policies, they are very vague when referring to hair. However, African Americans still experience hair discrimination in the workplace, such as gaping stares or subtly aggressive comments.  

Some of this occurs during job interviews too, as some women were turned down because of their hair. While most African Americans decide to wear their hair for how it is or wear an ethnic hairstyle, some of them change their hair to appear “professional”. 

It was found that “25% of Black women believe they have been denied a job interview because of their hair”, according to the 2023 CROWN Workplace Research Study. “Approximately 66% have changed their hair from curly to straight.” 

Even after changing the appearance of their hair, Black women’s hair is still seen as unprofessional in some workplaces. Some women were even forced to leave work for the day because of their hair.  

“I see firsthand how proud Black women feel in the salon as the stylist and customers compliment them on their hair as they exit,” said Tiyale Hayes, the lead researcher in the 2023 CROWN Workplace Research Study. “When these same women walk into the office, they are seen as less professional than others. That is shocking to me.” 

Though not as common in Florida, hair discrimination in the workplace has occurred within the U.S. in the past three years.  

Crown Research Study, Fair use, https://hrexecutive.com/crown-act-grows-as-afro-hair-anti-discrimination-training-launches/

CROWN Act 

Recently this year, there have been laws and policies passed in certain states that protect from discrimination against natural hair. Known as the CROWN Act, it protects Black people from being discriminated against in schools and workplaces, regardless of their backgrounds. It also eliminates the deprivation of adequate pay.  

It has been passed in 24 states, and surprisingly, Florida is not among one of them to pass the law as an entire state. Broward County, Florida passed a human rights law that prohibited discrimination based on the texture of someone’s hair.  

In Florida, there are about 775,000 Black female workers who could potentially be victims of hair discrimination. Nearly half of the U.S. has yet to pass the CROWN Act which could be beneficial in the effort to end hair discrimination. 

“Unfair grooming policies have a disparate impact on Black women, men and children,” said Lauren Baker of Dove. “And the CROWN Act aims to end cultural and racial discrimination taking place within workplaces and schools.”  

Though The CROWN Act is effective in some U.S. states, hair discrimination still occurs within schools and the workplace. George was suspended from his school in Texas because of his hair. Texas is one of the states to adopt the CROWN Act.  

Despite the idea of the CROWN Act first being mentioned in 2021, two years later it has not made many changes to society’s stereotypes of Black people. 

NYC.GOV, Fair use, https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-classifies-hair-restrictions-as-discrimination-11550537156

The Result 

George was sent to a disciplinary school on October 12. His family filed a lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the state’s attorney general, and the school district claiming that George’s suspension violates the Texas CROWN Act. George is anxious to attend an alternative school, yet he has no plans to cut his hair.  

As far as Duval County Public School policies for hair are concerned, the Code of Appearance states that “Any apparel, jewelry (such as body piercings, ornaments) and hairstyles shall not disrupt the classroom environment.”  

This statement does not explicitly limit what type of hairstyle a student can wear. There have been no reported hair discrimination incidents in Duval schools.