In a landmark move towards promoting racial equity and combating longstanding discrimination, the California State Legislature has passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1815, expanding the state’s civil rights laws to ban discrimination based on hairstyles and textures associated with race. This bill, which has now landed on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, builds upon the 2019 CROWN Act and solidifies California’s position as a leader in protecting individuals from race-based hair discrimination in schools, workplaces, and beyond.
The passage of AB 1815 represents a critical victory for advocates of racial justice, especially for Black Californians, who have long faced discrimination for wearing natural hairstyles like locs, braids, and twists. With the growing recognition that hair discrimination is a form of racial discrimination, California continues to advance the movement to safeguard individuals’ rights to wear hairstyles reflective of their cultural heritage without fear of prejudice.
The Foundation: The 2019 CROWN Act
To understand the importance of AB 1815, it’s essential to look back at California’s pioneering legislation, the CROWN Act, passed in 2019. The CROWN Act (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) was the first law of its kind in the United States. It made California the inaugural state to prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles associated with race, protecting individuals in schools and workplaces from policies that forced them to conform to Eurocentric standards of beauty.
Before the CROWN Act, Black employees and students across the country often faced subtle but insidious discrimination when it came to their hair. Many employers, schools, and institutions had policies that either explicitly or implicitly deemed natural Black hairstyles as unprofessional, forcing individuals to alter their natural hair to fit mainstream standards. In some cases, people were even denied job opportunities or promotions because of their appearance.
The CROWN Act was a critical step in dismantling these discriminatory practices. It prohibited employers and schools from implementing dress codes or grooming policies that discriminated against individuals based on hairstyles and textures commonly associated with race. As the first state to pass such legislation, California set a precedent that has since spread to several other states.
AB 1815: Expanding Protections
While the CROWN Act marked a significant victory, AB 1815 goes even further in protecting individuals from hair-based discrimination. This new legislation amends California’s civil rights laws by explicitly including characteristics such as hair texture and hairstyles like locs, braids, and twists. These hairstyles, commonly worn by Black individuals, are often unfairly viewed as unprofessional or inappropriate in many professional and educational settings.
AB 1815 expands the definition of race under California’s civil rights laws to ensure that individuals who wear natural or protective hairstyles are not subject to discrimination based on their appearance. This amendment not only protects employees in the workplace but also ensures that students in schools and participants in other public settings are equally safeguarded from biased policies.
The bill’s author, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, has been a vocal advocate for racial justice and equity. Upon the passage of AB 1815, Weber acknowledged the long history of harm caused by beauty standards that dictated individuals should only be considered beautiful or professional if they conformed to certain Eurocentric norms. By passing this bill, California is correcting those wrongs and sending a powerful message that diversity in appearance should be celebrated, not punished.
Hairstyle Discrimination: A Broader Issue of Racial Injustice
Hairstyle discrimination has far-reaching implications, particularly for Black individuals. Research has shown that Black women, in particular, are disproportionately affected by biased beauty standards in the workplace. According to the Economic Policy Institute, Black women’s natural hairstyles are 2.5 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional compared to those of White women. Additionally, a study by Dove revealed that 66% of Black women change their hair for job interviews, often straightening it to meet traditional expectations of professionalism.
This pressure to conform not only places an unfair burden on Black women but also strips away an important aspect of their cultural identity. For many Black individuals, hairstyles like locs, braids, and twists are not merely aesthetic choices but deeply connected to cultural heritage and history. When employers or institutions impose policies that discriminate against these hairstyles, they are effectively discriminating against the individual’s race.
AB 1815 is a recognition that these forms of discrimination are no different from other types of racial prejudice. By expanding protections to include hairstyles, California acknowledges the importance of allowing individuals to express their racial and cultural identities freely and without fear of retaliation.
The Road Ahead
While AB 1815 represents a significant victory, the fight against racial injustice in all forms continues. The bill is one of 14 reparations-focused bills introduced by the California Legislative Black Caucus based on recommendations from the California Reparations Task Force. The task force, which was established to address the longstanding impacts of slavery and racial discrimination in the state, has made more than 100 policy proposals aimed at promoting racial equity and justice. AB 1815 is a part of this broader effort to confront and correct the harms caused by systemic racism.
As California moves forward with implementing AB 1815, the hope is that other states will continue to follow suit and that, eventually, a federal law will be enacted to protect all individuals from hairstyle discrimination, regardless of where they live.
Legal Help for Victims of Hairstyle Discrimination
If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination based on hairstyle or texture, you are not alone. The passage of AB 1815 means that individuals in California now have legal protections against this form of discrimination. Whether it occurred in the workplace, at school, or in another setting, victims of hair-based discrimination have the right to seek justice.
At the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C., we are committed to fighting for the rights of individuals who have been discriminated against because of their race or appearance. If you believe you have been subjected to hairstyle discrimination, our experienced attorneys are here to help. We can assist you in understanding your rights under the law and guide you through the process of filing a claim.Contact us today for a consultation, and let us help you stand up against discrimination. Everyone deserves to feel proud of who they are and how they look without fear of prejudice or judgment.
