Legislators pass the CROWN Act

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A six-year attempt to get rid of hair discrimination in the Buckeye State passed the Ohio House on Wednesday.

The House considered a total of 17 bills and passed several that are on their way to the Senate Chamber. The CROWN Act would ensure that students in K-12 schools would not be discriminated against for wearing their hair in natural styles.

What you need to know

• Sponsors of the Ohio bill say it took six years to pass the Ohio House
• Sponsors also say more needs to be done in this space to help black people who wear their hair in natural styles
• The bill would help K-12 students and make sure they aren’t sent home for wearing their hair natural

State Representative Juanita Brent is a Cleveland native and says she has heard numerous stories of children, adults and women being penalized for their natural hair.

Brent said it’s a form of racism to tell people they have to wear their hair differently. House Bill 178, also known as “The CROWN Act,” has become a cause that Brent feels passionately about and wants to create a better Ohio for minorities who have been told they are not enough. The bill will allow students to wear their hair in locks, braids and puffs to school without fear of punishment. Brent says natural hairstyles are part of race and ethnicity.

“We’re basically telling people that hair discrimination shouldn’t be legal,” Brent said. “This is the first of many steps and we’re removing a larger wedge of discrimination, a workplace school issue that people’s natural hair shouldn’t be a crime.”

Brent told Spectrum News that the conversations need to continue in this space and she is very happy that this bill has finally passed this chamber.

“Whether your hair is curly, it’s an afro, bangs, strands, braids,” Brent said. “You should be able to feel like you’re seeing into the system you’re in. And I am so proud to have achieved this. But like I said, with my side sponsor on the field, we have a lot more work to do.”

Brent’s co-sponsor is Republican Jamie Callender, who said no one should ever feel unwelcome in a space because of their hairstyle. He also mentioned that children carry trauma with them and all children should be treated in fair, pleasant and friendly environments. Meanwhile, state Rep. Jason Stephens, the House speaker, said this is good legislation and he didn’t understand why it took so long to pass the House floor.

“I don’t know why it took so long,” Stephens said. “It was a bipartisan bill. I think it’s important to recognize that these types of things happen.”

The “CORONA Act” passed the House by a vote of 83-7, and is now on its way to the Senate for a discussion and a possible vote.