# How Does the CROWN Act Address Systemic Discrimination against Textured Hair? ❉ Question

**Published:** 2025-06-08
**Author:** Roothea
**Categories:** Question

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![Botanical textures evoke the organic foundations of holistic hair care, mirroring Black hair traditions and mixed-race hair narratives. This leaf arrangement, reminiscent of ancestral heritage, connects natural ingredients with expressive styling for texture, promoting wellness and celebrating the artistry of textured hair formations](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/artistic-black-and-white-leaves-arrangement-represents-natural-textured-hair.jpg)

## Roots

Consider the quiet strength held within a single strand of hair, a delicate helix yet a profound storyteller. For those whose lineage traces through the vast, complex narratives of Black and mixed-race experiences, hair serves as a living archive, a continuous link to [ancestral practices](/area/ancestral-practices/) and enduring cultural wisdom. How, then, does a legislative measure, the CROWN Act, reach into this deeply personal and historically charged realm?

Its very existence speaks to a pervasive societal disconnect from the richness of [textured hair](/area/textured-hair/) heritage, a disconnect that has for too long translated into systemic barriers. This Act represents a vital recognition of ancestral ways, acknowledging that hair, in its natural glory, is not merely a biological feature but a potent symbol of identity, a declaration of lineage, and a testament to resilience forged over generations.

![The textured hair styles and the cooperative act of grinding grain symbolizes community wellness. This scene emphasizes the interwoven nature of ancestral heritage, cultural identity, and holistic hair care practices, reflecting the traditional roots and beauty rituals deeply embedded within Black communities](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/black-and-white-image-depicting-grinding-grain-with-traditional-hair-wraps.jpg)

## Hair Anatomy and the Echoes of Ancestry

The unique structure of textured hair is a marvel of natural design. Unlike hair that grows with a straight or gently wavy pattern, hair with tighter curls or coils often emerges from an elliptically shaped follicle, resulting in a strand that itself follows a helical path. This coiled formation, often characteristic of African hair types, contributes to its magnificent volume and distinctive appearance. Scientific inquiry into hair morphology reveals that factors such as the distribution of keratin within the hair shaft and the precise angles at which hair emerges from the scalp all play a part in creating the spectrum of textures we observe.

This inherent biological difference, however, has historically been misconstrued, labeled as unprofessional or untidy when juxtaposed against [Eurocentric beauty](/area/eurocentric-beauty/) norms. The [CROWN Act](/area/crown-act/) directly challenges these biased perceptions, affirming that the biological reality of textured hair deserves respect and protection in all spaces. It mandates that no one faces professional or educational penalties for the hair that grows organically from their scalp.

> The CROWN Act stands as a legislative testament to the intrinsic worth and dignity of textured hair, recognizing its profound connection to heritage and individual identity.

![Black obsidian](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/porous-black-obsidian-stone-texture-for-afro-hair-product-inspiration.jpg)

## Understanding Textured Hair’s Rich Lexicon

For generations, communities with textured hair have developed a rich vocabulary to describe the diverse manifestations of their strands and the practices that honor them. Terms like **coils**, **kinks**, and **locs** carry not only descriptive power but also cultural resonance, reflecting specific historical practices and community understandings. These terms existed long before scientific classification systems sought to categorize hair based on curl patterns, often overlooking the deeper cultural meanings. Traditional African societies, for example, used specific hairstyles to denote a person’s age, marital status, social standing, or even tribal affiliation.

**Cornrows**, for instance, in their ancient forms, were not just a hairstyle but could carry coded messages or map escape routes during eras of forced displacement. The CROWN Act, in explicitly protecting styles such as braids, locs, twists, and Bantu knots, elevates this ancestral lexicon from the realm of informal cultural practice to a recognized legal standard, thereby challenging the long-standing imposition of external, often derogatory, labels on these expressions of identity.

![Illuminated by stark contrast, the portrait highlights the beauty of coiled texture. Her unwavering gaze, combined with the visual contrast, speaks to cultural narratives, empowerment and the celebration of ancestral black hair traditions while embracing mixed-race hair narratives and styles](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-black-and-white-portrait-revealing-strength-resilience-and-textured.jpg)

## Historical Roots of Hair Discrimination: A Deeper Look

The [systemic discrimination](/area/systemic-discrimination/) against textured hair is not a recent phenomenon; it is a legacy deeply interwoven with the [transatlantic slave trade](/area/transatlantic-slave-trade/) and subsequent colonial influences. From the 15th century onwards, European colonizers often classified African textured hair as closer to animal fur or wool than human hair, a dehumanizing act that served to justify enslavement. Enslaved Africans were often subjected to forced head shaving, a deliberate act to strip them of their [cultural identity](/area/cultural-identity/) and sever their spiritual connection to their hair, which had been revered in their homelands as a source of power, status, and communal ties. 

Even after the formal abolition of slavery, policies continued to enforce Eurocentric beauty standards. Consider the insidious “Comb Test” used in parts of the United States. Organizations would hang a fine-tooth comb by their entrance, implicitly declaring that if one’s hair could not be easily combed through, entry was unwelcome. This informal, yet widely understood, barrier effectively excluded Black individuals with natural textures from public spaces, workplaces, and educational institutions.

This history underscores why the CROWN Act is not simply about aesthetics; it is about addressing the lingering effects of historical dehumanization and racialized control. By legally recognizing and protecting [natural hair](/area/natural-hair/) and protective styles, the Act directly confronts these historical biases, paving a path for Black and mixed-race individuals to bring their authentic selves into every facet of society without fear of retribution. It serves as a legislative acknowledgment of the ongoing need to dismantle structures built upon centuries of discrimination.

![Against a backdrop of sunlit horizons, textured hair in the form of locs is silhouetted, evoking ancestral connections and symbolizing resilience. This image celebrates natural Black hair formations, its beauty, and historical significance in expressive Black cultural identity, wellness, and holistic care through styling](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/silhouette-of-person-with-locs-against-sunlight-revealing-textured-hair-heritage.jpg)

![This black and white portrait illustrates the ancestral practice of textured hair care, a mother nurturing her child](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mother-combing-childs-textured-hair-at-window-black-and-white-portrait.jpg)

## Ritual

The journey of textured hair through generations is a testament to unwavering cultural spirit, marked by rituals of care and artistry that transcended oppression. Styling practices, often passed down through familial hands, became acts of resistance, communal bonding, and self-preservation. The CROWN Act, in its legislative reach, steps into this sacred space, seeking to affirm these practices, protecting them from judgment and sanction in professional and academic settings. It speaks to a profound need to safeguard the living traditions that have kept the soul of textured hair vibrant through trials. 

![The image explores beauty and identity, with the woman](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-black-and-white-portrait-of-a-woman-with-intricate-locs.jpg)

## Protective Styles: An Ancestral Imperative?

Protective styling, such as braids, twists, and locs, finds its genesis in ancient African civilizations, where these styles were not merely aesthetic choices. They served vital practical purposes, protecting hair from the elements, minimizing breakage, and promoting growth. Beyond function, these styles were rich with social meaning.

Braiding sessions were communal gatherings, opportunities for storytelling, the sharing of wisdom, and the strengthening of familial and community bonds. The specific patterns and adornments often conveyed status, age, marital state, or even tribal affiliation.

The survival of these practices through the transatlantic slave trade stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of Black communities. Despite forced assimilation and the stripping away of cultural markers, individuals held fast to traditional hair practices, transforming them into quiet forms of defiance and identity assertion. The CROWN Act directly acknowledges this lineage.

By prohibiting discrimination based on these very styles, the Act creates a legal shield for practices that are, in essence, historical acts of cultural survival. It affirms that wearing **cornrows**, **Bantu knots**, or **locs** in a workplace or classroom is not a deviation from professionalism, but a continuation of an ancestral heritage, a deeply personal expression of self rooted in centuries of tradition.

> The CROWN Act safeguards traditional styling practices, affirming their enduring place as cultural expressions rather than subjects of scrutiny.

![A striking black and white composition celebrates heritage, showcasing elongated spiral pattern achieved via threading, a testament to ancestral hair traditions, emphasizing holistic hair care, self-expression, and intricate styling within narratives of Black hair traditions and mixed-race hair narratives.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/portrait-of-woman-with-low-porosity-spirals-in-madras-head-wrap.jpg)

## The Alchemy of Natural Styling

Natural styling, encompassing a vast array of techniques to define and celebrate textured hair without chemical alteration, represents a reclamation of authentic self. These methods, from simple washes and deep conditioning to elaborate twist-outs and curl definitions, often draw from [ancestral wisdom](/area/ancestral-wisdom/) regarding the properties of natural ingredients and the subtle art of hair manipulation. While modern science illuminates the specific protein structures and moisture needs of textured hair, the underlying principles of nourishing and styling these curls and coils echo practices employed for generations. 

The historical journey of [Black hair](/area/black-hair/) in America includes periods where altering natural texture became a societal expectation. The widespread adoption of hot combs and chemical relaxers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries speaks to the immense social and economic pressure on Black individuals to conform to [Eurocentric standards](/area/eurocentric-standards/) of straight hair to gain access to opportunities. The “good hair” versus “bad hair” dichotomy, rooted in the legacy of slavery, perpetuated the idea that straight hair equated to acceptability and upward mobility. The natural hair movement, gaining prominence in the 1960s with the “Black Is Beautiful” ethos and experiencing a resurgence in the 2000s, actively countered these damaging narratives.

It encouraged an embrace of inherent texture, advocating for self-acceptance and a return to practices that honored the hair’s natural state. The CROWN Act supports this movement by making it legally clear that such a choice to wear one’s hair naturally, without chemical or heat alteration, cannot be a basis for discrimination. It stands as a legislative ally to the personal and collective journeys toward hair liberation.

![Embracing the ancestral heritage of holistic hair care, clear water enriches fenugreek seeds, releasing their potent benefits. This ancient ingredient nourishes Black hair traditions and mixed-race hair narratives, promoting expressive styling and resilient formations for generations](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fenugreek-seeds-being-dosed-with-water-drops-close-up-black-and-white.jpg)

## Tools of Tradition and Transformation

The tools used in [textured hair care](/area/textured-hair-care/) tell their own stories of ingenuity and adaptation across time. While modern hairstyling offers a multitude of specialized products and implements, many fundamental techniques and the spirit of communal care remain deeply rooted in ancestral practices. In ancient African societies, hair styling involved a range of natural materials and simple tools, often crafted from wood, bone, or gourds. These tools were not just functional; they were part of the ritual, imbued with meaning. 

- **Combs of Bone and Wood** ❉ Early combs, carved from natural materials, were used for detangling and creating partings, a foundational step in intricate braiding. Their gentle construction respected the delicate nature of coiled strands.

- **Natural Oils and Butters** ❉ Ingredients like **shea butter** and **coconut oil**, used for centuries, were essential for moisturizing, sealing, and protecting textured hair. These natural emollients kept hair pliable for styling and resisted breakage.

- **Adornments** ❉ Beads, cowrie shells, and other natural elements were woven into hairstyles, signifying social status, tribal identity, or even spiritual beliefs. These embellishments elevated hair into a form of personal adornment and cultural communication.
The CROWN Act implicitly recognizes the historical and cultural significance of these tools and the styles they create. By protecting styles that traditionally incorporate these elements, it acknowledges a continuum of practice that extends from ancient communal [hair care](/area/hair-care/) rituals to contemporary self-styling. It protects the right to adorn one’s hair with cultural markers without fear of judgment. This legislative stance helps ensure that the toolkit of textured hair care, in its broadest sense, continues to be a source of pride and connection to ancestral ways, rather than a target for societal disapproval. 

![This dramatic portrait honors ancestral heritage through avant-garde Fulani braiding artistry, showcasing the interplay of light and shadow on intricate textured hair forms, the design celebrates Black expressive styling while promoting holistic hair care, reflecting cultural pride in low porosity high-density coils and traditional hair practices.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/avant-garde-braided-crown-a-celebration-of-black-textured-hair-artistry.jpg)

![The monochrome palette accentuates the woman](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/black-and-white-portrait-of-woman-with-natural-hair-in-headwrap.jpg)

## Relay

The passage of the CROWN Act marks a significant point in a long relay race for recognition and equity, a race stretching back through generations. It is a legislative response to deeply embedded systemic biases, reflecting a collective demand for respect that echoes ancestral wisdom. This Act does not merely legislate against a superficial aspect of appearance; it confronts a pervasive issue of identity suppression, ensuring that individuals can freely wear their hair as it naturally grows or in styles cherished across Black and mixed-race communities. 

![This dramatic portrait celebrates Black hair traditions through its majestic braided crown, a testament to ancestral heritage and expressive styling. The interplay of light and shadow accentuates the texture and artistry of the braids, honoring the woman’s strength and the enduring legacy of Black beauty](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-black-and-white-portrait-of-woman-with-elaborate-braided-hairstyle.jpg)

## What Is the Systemic Basis of Hair Discrimination?

Systemic discrimination against textured hair stems from a historical imposition of [Eurocentric beauty standards](/area/eurocentric-beauty-standards/) as the universal norm. This imposition originated during the era of slavery, where practices of dehumanization included devaluing Black physical features, including hair. Slave owners often enforced strict grooming codes, punishing those who did not conform to European aesthetics. This historical narrative established a hierarchy of hair types, where straighter textures were deemed “good” and desirable, while kinky or coily hair was labeled “unprofessional” or “unkempt.” 

This prejudicial view persisted through Jim Crow laws and beyond, influencing dress codes and grooming policies in schools and workplaces. Consider the widely documented case of Andrew Johnson, a New Jersey high school wrestler, who was forced to cut his locs on the mat in 2018 to avoid forfeiting a match. This incident, among many others, illuminated the ongoing policing of Black hair in educational settings, reflecting deeply ingrained biases that equate certain hairstyles with a lack of decorum or professionalism.

The CROWN Act directly challenges these unspoken rules and institutionalized biases by broadening the legal definition of race to include [hair texture](/area/hair-texture/) and protective styles. It effectively removes the loophole that allowed institutions to discriminate based on phenotypical markers of race, making it clear that [hair discrimination](/area/hair-discrimination/) is, at its core, racial discrimination.

> The CROWN Act redefines race in legal terms, explicitly protecting hair textures and styles integral to Black and mixed-race identities from systemic bias.

![Elegant in monochrome, the portrait celebrates the beauty and strength embodied within afro textured hair, a coil crown, and classic style. The image is an ode to heritage, resilience, and the power of self-expression through textured hair forms, deeply rooted in Black hair traditions and ancestral pride](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-a-woman-with-afro-textured-hair-and-classic-dress.jpg)

## How Does the CROWN Act Challenge Existing Norms?

The CROWN Act’s true power lies in its capacity to dismantle longstanding discriminatory norms by codifying protections for hair textures and styles historically marginalized. Before its enactment in various states and its attempts at federal passage, individuals with textured hair faced a dilemma: conform to Eurocentric standards, often through costly and damaging chemical treatments or heat styling, or risk educational and employment opportunities. A 2023 CROWN Workplace Research Study found that **Black women’s hair is more than twice as likely to be perceived as “unprofessional” as white women’s hair**, leading approximately two-thirds of Black women to change their hairstyle for job interviews. This statistic paints a vivid picture of the pervasive pressure and implicit bias that the Act seeks to counteract. 

By making it unlawful to discriminate based on hair texture or [protective styles](/area/protective-styles/) such as **braids**, **locs**, **twists**, or **afros**, the CROWN Act sends a clear message. It validates the natural hair movement’s decades-long pursuit of self-acceptance and cultural affirmation, translating a social movement into legal reality. The legislation compels schools and workplaces to re-evaluate their grooming policies, shifting away from subjective criteria that have historically disadvantaged Black and mixed-race individuals. It empowers those who have been policed for their hair to challenge discriminatory practices, reinforcing that authentic self-expression through hair is a civil right. 

![Soft light reveals the beauty of coiled braids in this monochrome portrait. This is a visual narrative exploring nuanced aesthetics, braided coil formations, and the rich tapestry of mixed-race heritage, inviting reflection on ancestral connections and the personalized expression of identity through natural hair textures](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-a-mixed-race-woman-with-braided-coiled-hairstyle.jpg)

## Legislative Journey and the Road Ahead

The CROWN Act began its legislative journey in California, where it was first signed into law in 2019 by then-State Senator Holly J. Mitchell. Its success ignited a movement, inspiring similar legislation across the United States. As of 2024, at least 24 states have enacted their own versions of the CROWN Act, with numerous cities also adopting comparable protections.

At the federal level, the CROWN Act has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives multiple times, passing the House in both 2019 and 2022, though it has faced obstacles in the Senate.

The persistence in reintroducing this bill speaks to the ongoing, nationwide need for universal protection against hair discrimination. Opponents sometimes argue that existing anti-discrimination laws already cover hair-based bias. However, historical court rulings have often narrowly interpreted these laws, leaving a loophole for hair discrimination to persist. The CROWN Act seeks to clarify these ambiguities, ensuring that no one is denied opportunities due to their hair.

Its continued pursuit in legislative bodies reflects a deep understanding that true equity requires addressing all forms of racial discrimination, visible and subtle alike. The relay continues, driven by the collective desire for a world where hair is celebrated as a source of heritage, not a cause for prejudice.

![This evocative portrait immortalizes resilience, revealing an elder](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/resilient-elders-textured-legacy-natural-coils-high-porosity-hair-aesthetics.jpg)

![The dramatic interplay of light and shadow in this monochrome portrait enhances the structural beauty of the braided crown hairstyle, paying homage to the timeless artistry within Black hair traditions and the enduring expression of identity and holistic hair care.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-black-woman-with-braided-crown-hairstyle-elegance.jpg)

## Reflection

To trace the winding path of the CROWN Act is to walk through a landscape steeped in shared memory, a landscape where every curl and coil holds a story, a legacy. This legislation is not merely a modern decree; it is an echo of ancestral wisdom, a formal acknowledgment of the profound connection between textured hair and the collective soul of a people. Roothea’s ‘Soul of a Strand’ ethos finds its grounding here: hair, in its myriad forms, remains a living, breathing archive of identity, resilience, and beauty. The Act’s emergence signifies a societal turning point, a recognition that the policing of Black and mixed-race hair has been a subtle yet potent instrument of systemic oppression, disrupting the sacred thread of heritage. 

In allowing individuals the freedom to wear their hair as nature intended or in the traditional styles of their forebears, the CROWN Act reclaims space for self-expression, for the quiet dignity of cultural continuity. It permits the natural helix of hair to unfurl without fear of professional or social consequence, affirming that the richness of one’s hair texture and the ancestral narratives it carries are not liabilities, but sources of strength. This legal movement, born from deep historical understanding and contemporary advocacy, strives to ensure that the [heritage](/area/heritage/) carried on one’s head is no longer a barrier, but a celebrated aspect of one’s complete being, forever connecting the past’s struggles with a future’s liberation. 

![This evocative portrait celebrates textured hair through a complex crown braid. It symbolizes cultural artistry, embracing heritage](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-woman-crown-braid-hairstyle-textured-hair-cultural-heritage.jpg)

![The image conveys a moment of intimate care, as hands apply a rich moisturizer to tightly coiled hair, celebrating the beauty and strength of Black hair traditions and holistic care. This act embodies cultural identity, ancestral connection, and wellness for expressive styling, nourishing the hair](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/nourishing-textured-hair-deep-moisture-treatment-application-black-and-white.jpg)

## References

- Byrd, Ayana D. and Lori L. Tharps. <i>Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America_. St. Martin’s Press, 2001.

- Childs, Erika. _“The Natural Hair Movement and Black Women’s Identity.”_ In Race and Society, edited by Steven J. Gold and Stephanie J. Jones, 2019.

- Kempf, Jennifer L. et al. _“Addressing Hair Discrimination in Schools: A Review of Policy and Practice.”_ Journal of School Health, 2024.

- Massey, Lorraine. _Curly Girl: The Handbook_. Workman Publishing Company, 2001.

- Owens Patton, Tracey. _“Afros, Braids, and Locs: The Sociopolitical and Historical Significance of Black Hairstyles.”_ Journal of Black Studies, 2006.

- Powell, Crystal. _“Bias, Employment Discrimination, and Black Women’s Hair: Another Way Forward.”_ BYU Law Review, 2018.

- Rosado, Luis. _“Braided Archives: Black Hair as a Site of Diasporic Transindividuation.”_ Ph.D. Dissertation, York University, 2003.

- White, Deborah G. and Shane White. _Stylin’: African American Expressive Culture from Its Beginnings to the Zoot Suit_. Cornell University Press, 1995.

## Glossary

### [Eurocentric Beauty](https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty/)

Meaning ❉ Eurocentric Beauty describes an aesthetic framework that historically positions features and hair textures common in European populations as the prevailing ideal.

### [Systemic Resource Withdrawal](https://roothea.co/area/systemic-resource-withdrawal/)

Meaning ❉ Systemic Resource Withdrawal refers to the sustained, often unseen, deprivation of essential elements vital for the health and vitality of textured hair, particularly for Black and mixed-race hair.

### [Eurocentric Beauty Standards](https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty-standards/)

Meaning ❉ Eurocentric beauty standards denote a historical leaning towards hair characteristics commonly found within European lineages, such as straightness, fineness, or gentle waves, alongside particular color and density ideals.

### [Ancestral Practices](https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-practices/)

Meaning ❉ Ancestral Practices, within the context of textured hair understanding, describe the enduring wisdom and gentle techniques passed down through generations, forming a foundational knowledge for nurturing Black and mixed-race hair.

### [Natural Hair](https://roothea.co/area/natural-hair/)

Meaning ❉ Natural Hair describes hair that maintains its original structural configuration, untouched by chemical processes like relaxers, texturizers, or permanent color that alter its natural coil, curl, or wave definition.

### [Textured Hair Care](https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair-care/)

Meaning ❉ Textured Hair Care refers to the considered practice of attending to the unique structure of coily, kinky, and wavy hair, particularly for those with Black and mixed-race heritage.

### [Crown Chakra](https://roothea.co/area/crown-chakra/)

Meaning ❉ The Crown Chakra, within the Roothea framework for textured hair, represents the highest point of perceptive clarity concerning one's unique hair identity and its care.

### [Textured Hair Systemic Bias](https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair-systemic-bias/)

Meaning ❉ Textured Hair Systemic Bias describes the subtle, yet pervasive, inclination within societal structures, beauty industries, and established norms that often overlooks or disadvantages hair with natural coils, curls, and kinks, particularly those common among individuals of Black and mixed heritage.

### [Systemic Devaluation](https://roothea.co/area/systemic-devaluation/)

Meaning ❉ Systemic Devaluation quietly describes the pervasive, ingrained societal tendency to assign lesser worth to textured hair, particularly that of Black and mixed-race individuals.

### [Crown Act Context](https://roothea.co/area/crown-act-context/)

Meaning ❉ The Crown Act Context gently guides us toward a clearer understanding of the legal and societal landscape shaped by the C.R.O.W.N.

## Explore Your Heritage

### [Systemic Hair Neglect](https://roothea.co/term/systemic-hair-neglect/)
![The monochromatic study centers a Black woman, her short hair enhanced with silver leaf, reflecting a blend of artistic expression and ancestral reverence, inviting contemplation on the intersection of personal style and cultural identity, while honoring her natural hair formation.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-woman-with-textured-hair-adorned-with-silver-leaf.jpg)

### [What Were the Earliest Laws against Textured Hair?](https://roothea.co/question/what-were-the-earliest-laws-against-textured-hair/)
![The black and white portrait evokes timeless elegance as the model](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-portrait-of-young-woman-with-natural-afro-textured-hair.jpg)

### [How Does the Afro pick'S Design Address Textured Hair's Biological Needs?](https://roothea.co/question/how-does-the-afro-picks-design-address-textured-hairs-biological-needs/)
![This intimate monochromatic image showcases a mindful approach to dark, coiled hair maintenance through controlled combing, symbolizing a deep connection to ancestral grooming traditions and the art of nurturing one](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/person-combing-dark-coiled-hair-with-wooden-wide-toothed-comb.jpg)

### [How Did Ancient Practices Fortify Textured Hair against Sun?](https://roothea.co/question/how-did-ancient-practices-fortify-textured-hair-against-sun/)
![Hands gently work to form protective coils, reflecting deep rooted cultural traditions of textured hair care. This intimate moment connects to heritage, wellness, and the enduring legacy of styling Black hair, underscoring self expression within diverse communities.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/hands-crafting-protective-styles-for-textured-hair-coils-and-heritage.jpg)

### [How Can Shea Butter Provide a Shield against Environmental Damage to Textured Hair?](https://roothea.co/question/how-can-shea-butter-provide-a-shield-against-environmental-damage-to-textured-hair/)
![This evocative image celebrates the magnificence of afro textured hair, spotlighting its rich coily pattern and the confident presence of its wearer, encapsulating both ancestral heritage and modern hair aesthetic with elegance that resonates with holistic expressions of beauty.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/portrait-of-elegant-woman-with-afro-textured-hair-against-neutral-backdrop.jpg)

### [How Does Heritage Influence Modern Anti-Discrimination Hair Legislation?](https://roothea.co/question/how-does-heritage-influence-modern-anti-discrimination-hair-legislation/)
![This striking black and white portrait celebrates natural hair expression through intricate cornrow designs styled into tight coils. The image echoes historical braiding traditions, elevated by contemporary styling and sharp makeup, merging ancestral artistry with modern aesthetics and showcasing the beauty and versatility of Black hair traditions.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/elegant-cornrows-and-defined-edges-portrait-showing-natural-hair-artistry.jpg)

### [What Impact Does the CROWN Act Have on Textured Hair Expression?](https://roothea.co/question/what-impact-does-the-crown-act-have-on-textured-hair-expression/)
![In this monochromatic exploration, the sitter’s coiled textured style, created with a rod set, evokes elegance and a celebration of natural Black hair traditions strategic lighting emphasizes the hair](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochromatic-portrait-of-elegant-woman-showcasing-coiled-textured-hair-design.jpg)

### [What Historical Biases against Textured Hair Exist?](https://roothea.co/question/what-historical-biases-against-textured-hair-exist/)
![The artful chiaroscuro accentuates the woman](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sophisticated-black-woman-short-natural-hair-portrait-studio-black-and-white.jpg)

### [Can Appreciation for Textured Hair Dismantle Systemic Bias?](https://roothea.co/question/can-appreciation-for-textured-hair-dismantle-systemic-bias/)
![The somber black and white tones elevate this arresting portrait of an elder adorned with traditional braids and woven headwear, a poignant reminder of cultural resilience passed down through generations, emphasizing the importance of honoring textured hair](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/resilient-elder-with-traditional-african-braids-and-woven-headdress-in-black.jpg)

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        "@type": "Organization",
        "name": "Roothea"
    },
    "articleSection": [
        "Question"
    ],
    "image": {
        "@type": "ImageObject",
        "url": "https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/portrait-of-woman-with-low-porosity-spirals-in-madras-head-wrap.jpg",
        "caption": "A striking black and white composition celebrates heritage, showcasing elongated spiral pattern achieved via threading, a testament to ancestral hair traditions, emphasizing holistic hair care, self-expression, and intricate styling within narratives of Black hair traditions and mixed-race hair narratives."
    }
}
```

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "FAQPage",
    "mainEntity": [
        {
            "@type": "Question",
            "name": "Protective Styles: An Ancestral Imperative?",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "@type": "Answer",
                "text": " Protective styling, such as braids, twists, and locs, finds its genesis in ancient African civilizations, where these styles were not merely aesthetic choices. They served vital practical purposes, protecting hair from the elements, minimizing breakage, and promoting growth. Beyond function, these styles were rich with social meaning. Braiding sessions were communal gatherings, opportunities for storytelling, the sharing of wisdom, and the strengthening of familial and community bonds. The specific patterns and adornments often conveyed status, age, marital state, or even tribal affiliation.\n"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Question",
            "name": "What is the systemic basis of hair discrimination?",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "@type": "Answer",
                "text": " Systemic discrimination against textured hair stems from a historical imposition of Eurocentric beauty standards as the universal norm. This imposition originated during the era of slavery, where practices of dehumanization included devaluing Black physical features, including hair. Slave owners often enforced strict grooming codes, punishing those who did not conform to European aesthetics. This historical narrative established a hierarchy of hair types, where straighter textures were deemed \"good\" and desirable, while kinky or coily hair was labeled \"unprofessional\" or \"unkempt.\"\n"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Question",
            "name": "How does the CROWN Act challenge existing norms?",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "@type": "Answer",
                "text": " The CROWN Act’s true power lies in its capacity to dismantle longstanding discriminatory norms by codifying protections for hair textures and styles historically marginalized. Before its enactment in various states and its attempts at federal passage, individuals with textured hair faced a dilemma: conform to Eurocentric standards, often through costly and damaging chemical treatments or heat styling, or risk educational and employment opportunities. A 2023 CROWN Workplace Research Study found that Black women's hair is more than twice as likely to be perceived as \"unprofessional\" as white women's hair, leading approximately two-thirds of Black women to change their hairstyle for job interviews. This statistic paints a vivid picture of the pervasive pressure and implicit bias that the Act seeks to counteract.\n"
            }
        }
    ]
}
```

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "WebPage",
    "@id": "https://roothea.co/question/how-does-the-crown-act-address-systemic-discrimination-against-textured-hair/",
    "mentions": [
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-practices/",
            "name": "Ancestral Practices",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-practices/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Ancestral Practices, within the context of textured hair understanding, describe the enduring wisdom and gentle techniques passed down through generations, forming a foundational knowledge for nurturing Black and mixed-race hair."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair/",
            "name": "Textured Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Textured hair describes the natural hair structure characterized by its unique curl patterns, ranging from expansive waves to closely wound coils, a common trait across individuals of Black and mixed heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty/",
            "name": "Eurocentric Beauty",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Eurocentric Beauty describes an aesthetic framework that historically positions features and hair textures common in European populations as the prevailing ideal."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/crown-act/",
            "name": "CROWN Act",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/crown-act/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The CROWN Act establishes legal protections against discrimination based on hair texture and styles frequently worn by individuals of Black or mixed heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/transatlantic-slave-trade/",
            "name": "Transatlantic Slave Trade",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/transatlantic-slave-trade/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The Transatlantic Slave Trade represents a deeply impactful historical period, where the forced displacement of African peoples significantly altered the lineage of textured hair understanding."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/systemic-discrimination/",
            "name": "Systemic Discrimination",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/systemic-discrimination/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Systemic discrimination, within the delicate world of textured hair, refers to the subtle, often unstated patterns and historical frameworks that consistently disadvantage individuals with coily, kinky, or wavy strands."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/cultural-identity/",
            "name": "Cultural Identity",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/cultural-identity/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Cultural Identity, when considered through the lens of textured hair, represents a soft, abiding connection to the deep-seated wisdom of ancestral hair practices and the shared experiences of a community."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/natural-hair/",
            "name": "Natural Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/natural-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Natural Hair describes hair that maintains its original structural configuration, untouched by chemical processes like relaxers, texturizers, or permanent color that alter its natural coil, curl, or wave definition."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-wisdom/",
            "name": "Ancestral Wisdom",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-wisdom/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Ancestral Wisdom, for textured hair, represents the enduring knowledge and discerning observations gently passed through generations concerning the unique character of Black and mixed-race hair."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-standards/",
            "name": "Eurocentric Standards",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-standards/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Eurocentric Standards refer to the historical benchmarks for hair beauty and care, often shaped by ideals rooted in textures common to European heritage, such as straight or fine strands."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/black-hair/",
            "name": "Black Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/black-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Black Hair describes the spectrum of hair textures primarily found within communities of African heritage, recognized by its distinct curl patterns ❉ from expansive waves to tightly coiled formations ❉ and an often elliptical follicle shape, which fundamentally shapes its unique growth trajectory."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair-care/",
            "name": "Textured Hair Care",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair-care/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Textured Hair Care refers to the considered practice of attending to the unique structure of coily, kinky, and wavy hair, particularly for those with Black and mixed-race heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-care/",
            "name": "Hair Care",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-care/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Care, when understood through the lens of textured hair, signifies a mindful discipline for preserving the vigor of coily, kinky, and wavy strands."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty-standards/",
            "name": "Eurocentric Beauty Standards",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty-standards/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Eurocentric beauty standards denote a historical leaning towards hair characteristics commonly found within European lineages, such as straightness, fineness, or gentle waves, alongside particular color and density ideals."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-discrimination/",
            "name": "Hair Discrimination",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-discrimination/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Discrimination, a subtle yet impactful bias, refers to the differential and often unfavorable treatment of individuals based on the natural characteristics or chosen styles of their hair, especially those textures and forms historically worn by Black and mixed-race persons."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-texture/",
            "name": "Hair Texture",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-texture/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Texture identifies the inherent physical configuration of individual hair strands, from gentle waves to tightly coiled patterns, a fundamental characteristic for those with Black and mixed heritage hair."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/protective-styles/",
            "name": "Protective Styles",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/protective-styles/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Protective Styles denote a thoughtful strategy in textured hair care, meticulously crafted to shield the hair's more vulnerable lengths from routine manipulation and environmental exposure."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/heritage/",
            "name": "Heritage",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/heritage/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Heritage, within the realm of textured hair understanding, signifies the enduring legacy of ancestral knowledge and genetic predispositions that define the unique characteristics of Black and mixed-race hair."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/systemic-resource-withdrawal/",
            "name": "Systemic Resource Withdrawal",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/systemic-resource-withdrawal/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Systemic Resource Withdrawal refers to the sustained, often unseen, deprivation of essential elements vital for the health and vitality of textured hair, particularly for Black and mixed-race hair."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/crown-chakra/",
            "name": "Crown Chakra",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/crown-chakra/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The Crown Chakra, within the Roothea framework for textured hair, represents the highest point of perceptive clarity concerning one's unique hair identity and its care."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair-systemic-bias/",
            "name": "Textured Hair Systemic Bias",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair-systemic-bias/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Textured Hair Systemic Bias describes the subtle, yet pervasive, inclination within societal structures, beauty industries, and established norms that often overlooks or disadvantages hair with natural coils, curls, and kinks, particularly those common among individuals of Black and mixed heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/systemic-devaluation/",
            "name": "Systemic Devaluation",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/systemic-devaluation/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Systemic Devaluation quietly describes the pervasive, ingrained societal tendency to assign lesser worth to textured hair, particularly that of Black and mixed-race individuals."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/crown-act-context/",
            "name": "Crown Act Context",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/crown-act-context/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The Crown Act Context gently guides us toward a clearer understanding of the legal and societal landscape shaped by the C.R.O.W.N."
        }
    ]
}
```


---

**Original URL:** https://roothea.co/question/how-does-the-crown-act-address-systemic-discrimination-against-textured-hair/
