# What Historical Laws Affected Textured Hair in the Americas? ❉ Question

**Published:** 2025-06-10
**Author:** Roothea
**Categories:** Question

---

_
![This intergenerational photograph explores familial bonds. It highlights textured hair stories and the passing down of heritage between grandparent and child](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/generational-bond-grandfather-and-child-together-textured-hair-black-and-mixed.jpg)

## Roots

The stories held within a single strand of [textured hair](/area/textured-hair/) stretch back through epochs, carrying ancestral wisdom and the enduring spirit of communities across the Americas. For generations, this hair, in its myriad coils, curls, and locs, has served as a profound marker of identity, spiritual connection, and collective heritage. Yet, the journey of textured hair in the Americas has been inextricably intertwined with the heavy hand of legal control, a narrative that speaks volumes about systemic efforts to dismantle identity and suppress vibrant cultural expression.

These laws, though often unwritten in their earliest forms or disguised beneath societal norms, reveal a relentless campaign to diminish the profound heritage residing in each coil and kink. From the colonial period onwards, these legal frameworks sought to strip away not just a style, but the very essence of personhood and ancestral ties.

Consider the intricate braiding traditions of pre-colonial Africa, where hairstyles functioned as a complex lexicon of status, age, marital state, and spiritual belief. In West Africa, for example, the Yoruba people crafted elaborate styles that mirrored their community roles, while the Himba tribe in Namibia wore dreadlocked styles coated with red ochre paste, symbolizing a deep connection to their earth and ancestors. These [hair practices](/area/hair-practices/) were acts of cultural creation, community bonding, and spiritual reverence. The transatlantic slave trade, a brutal rupture in human history, brought with it an immediate assault on this heritage.

One of the first dehumanizing acts upon arrival in the Americas was the forcible shaving of African captives’ heads, a deliberate effort to erase [cultural identity](/area/cultural-identity/) and sever ancestral bonds. This act, devoid of any formal written law, functioned as a chilling de facto legal mandate, underscoring the deep-seated fear colonial powers held for the autonomy and heritage embodied in Black hair. The act of stripping away one’s hair was a calculated move to disorient, to disconnect, and to impose a new, brutal reality where one’s very being was deemed property.

Within this foundational understanding of how [historical laws](/area/historical-laws/) affected textured hair in the Americas, we must grasp that the intent often transcended mere appearance. It was a means of social engineering, designed to classify, to control, and to subjugate. The intricate anatomy of textured hair, with its unique follicular structure, often made it distinct from European hair types, a physiological difference that colonizers perverted into a tool for racial stratification. This insidious process laid the groundwork for formal legal codes that would later solidify these discriminatory practices. 

![United by shared tradition, women collectively grind spices using time-honored tools, linking their heritage and labor to ancestral methods of preparing remedies, foods and enriching hair care preparations. This visual narrative evokes generational wellness, holistic care, and hair health practices rooted in community and ancestral knowledge](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/women-united-in-traditional-african-spice-grinding-ritual-black-and-white.jpg)

## How Did Early Colonial Systems Legislate Hair through Silence and Symbolism?

In the nascent colonial societies of the Americas, the formal legislative apparatus was not always direct in its pronouncements on hair. Yet, a silent, pervasive legal framework operated through [slave codes](/area/slave-codes/) and societal customs, effectively legislating appearance. Slaves, deemed property, had no legal rights over their bodies, including their hair. Their hairstyles became subject to the whims of enslavers, often reduced to basic, utilitarian cuts or forced coverings.

This absence of legal protection for hair, coupled with its symbolic manipulation, created a powerful system of control. Headscarves, or “tignons,” while serving practical purposes like protecting from sun and lice, increasingly became a marker of subservience, particularly for enslaved women. This shift, from practical wear to a mandated symbol of status, was a form of legal enforcement through visual hierarchy, where appearance was regulated to denote one’s place in the brutal social order.

The impact extended beyond the physical; it aimed at the spirit. The loss of traditional styling tools and ingredients meant [ancestral practices](/area/ancestral-practices/) had to adapt, often in secret, using what was available. This resilience, though born of oppression, ensured that the heritage of [hair care](/area/hair-care/) survived, often transforming into new, covert expressions of identity. The very act of caring for textured hair, even with rudimentary materials like butter or bacon grease, became a quiet act of resistance, a way to maintain a connection to a lost heritage in a hostile environment. 

> The initial legislative impact on textured hair was often an unspoken mandate, enforcing erasure and control through dehumanization and symbolic degradation.
The idea of “good hair,” which equated straighter textures with desirability and social acceptance, arose in the period leading up to slavery’s abolition. This concept was not accidental; it was a societal construct reinforced by prevailing power structures, ultimately influencing perceptions and practices for generations to come. This deeply ingrained bias became a blueprint for future legal and social discrimination. 

![Sunlight catches the halo of textured hair as a mother gently tends to her mixed-race child’s hair this nurturing act honors ancestral heritage and a commitment to the specialized care routines vital for strong, healthy, type 3C/4A curl formation, reflecting deep cultural and familial connection.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mother-combing-natural-textured-hair-of-mixed-race-child-outdoors-sunlight.jpg)

![Evoking ancestral hair traditions, this intimate scene captures one woman gently brushing another’s textured formations amidst lush greenery, symbolizing a tender exchange of wellness, heritage, and mutual care. This intimate exchange embodies holistic hair rituals deeply tied to Black and mixed ancestry hair experiences](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/intimate-moment-two-women-textured-hair-care-black-and-mixed-heritage.jpg)

## Ritual

The daily rituals of textured hair care, from meticulous detangling to the art of protective styling, hold a sacred place within communities of African descent. These practices, passed down through generations, are more than mere aesthetics; they are living testaments to resilience, ancestral knowledge, and a deep connection to heritage. Yet, this intimate realm of care and identity has consistently faced challenges from historical laws, which, in their attempt to regulate visibility and status, sought to disrupt these very rituals. The force of these laws often pushed [hair care practices](/area/hair-care-practices/) underground, transforming them into acts of quiet defiance and communal solidarity. 

Perhaps no legal enactment so vividly illustrates this historical tension as the **Tignon Laws** of late 18th-century New Orleans. In 1786, under Spanish colonial Governor Esteban Miró, these sumptuary laws mandated that free women of color, known as Creole women, cover their elaborately styled hair with a head wrap called a tignon. The intent was overtly clear: to diminish their social standing, which was perceived as threatening to the white elite, particularly white women who reportedly felt their social status was challenged by the elegance and allure of these women.

These Creole women, some of whom had achieved a degree of economic independence, proudly displayed their varied textures adorned with jewels and feathers, attracting admiration, including from white men. The [Tignon Laws](/area/tignon-laws/) aimed to visually relegate them to the enslaved class, regardless of their freedom.

This legal imposition, however, was met with an extraordinary act of cultural preservation and artistic ingenuity. The women of New Orleans did indeed cover their hair, but they transformed the mandated tignon into a vibrant symbol of defiance and cultural pride. They used luxurious fabrics, adorned them with ribbons and jewels, and developed intricate wrapping techniques that made their head coverings even more striking than their uncovered hairstyles might have been.

This act became a form of sartorial protest, a powerful demonstration of identity that transcended the law’s oppressive intent. This story, often cited, is a potent example of how communities resisted legal constraints through their sustained hair heritage.

![The portrait captures the essence of cultural expression through detailed braiding and stylized edges, the grayscale amplifying the tactile quality of the cornrows. The image resonates with themes of ancestral heritage and the artistry inherent in Black hair traditions, a visual testament to holistic hair care and expressive styling in a mixed-race narrative](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochromatic-portrait-of-a-woman-with-braided-cornrows-and-sculpted-edges.jpg)

## How Did Discriminatory Laws Compel Communities to Innovate Their Hair Practices?

The legislative pressure on textured hair did not cease with the Tignon Laws, which were eventually repealed in the early 1800s following the Louisiana Purchase. The broader societal message, deeply rooted in the legacies of slavery and colonialism, persisted: textured hair, in its natural state, was deemed “unprofessional,” “untidy,” or “unkempt”. This cultural prejudice, while not always codified into direct law, functioned as a powerful, unspoken legal and social barrier. This subtle yet pervasive pressure led to significant innovations in hair care practices, often driven by the necessity to conform for social or economic advancement. 

- **Chemical Straightening and Hot Combs** ❉ The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of inventions like the hair-straightening comb and chemical relaxers. Madam C.J. Walker, a Black businesswoman, achieved remarkable success by popularizing these tools and products, which offered a pathway for Black women to achieve straighter hair, a texture associated with societal acceptance and middle-class status. This was not merely about beauty; it was about navigating a world where natural textures were often penalized.

- **Protective Styling as Adaptation** ❉ Beyond chemical alteration, ancestral protective styles like braids, cornrows, and twists, which once communicated social identity in Africa, adapted to serve new functions in the Americas. They became ways to manage hair, protect it from damage, and, at times, discreetly maintain cultural continuity in environments hostile to natural Black hair. In some instances, cornrows were even used during enslavement to hide rice seeds for survival or to map escape routes.
The impact of these pressures on [textured hair heritage](/area/textured-hair-heritage/) is undeniable. It fostered a complex relationship with hair, where choices were often influenced by external pressures rather than sole personal preference. The development of distinct styling tools and techniques within Black communities, from the wide-toothed comb to specific braiding patterns, arose from this confluence of ancestral practice and imposed necessity. 

> Legal and social constraints on hair prompted a vibrant wave of innovation and adaptation within Black hair care practices, transforming acts of survival into expressions of enduring cultural identity.
This period also witnessed the entrenchment of colorism and texturism within the Black community itself, a direct byproduct of the oppressive systems that privileged lighter skin and straighter hair. A strict caste system during slavery rewarded those with less kinky hair with better treatment, creating internal divisions that persisted for centuries. This hierarchy of hair types, rooted in European beauty standards, continues to impact how hair is perceived and treated within the diaspora. 

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

![Bathed in sunlight, these Black and mixed-race women actively engage in hair care, highlighting the beauty and diversity inherent in textured hair formations. Their engagement is an act of self-love rooted in ancestral heritage, echoing a commitment to holistic hair wellness and empowered self-expression](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/black-and-mixed-race-women-combing-out-natural-hair-freshly-washed.jpg)

## Relay

The historical legal landscape affecting textured hair in the Americas presents a compelling narrative of control, resistance, and the enduring power of cultural heritage. While early forms of hair legislation were often implicit in the dehumanizing practices of slavery and colonial rule, the 20th century witnessed a shift towards more explicit, albeit often informally enforced, policies of hair discrimination. These modern iterations, deeply rooted in centuries of anti-Black sentiment, continued to pressure individuals to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards, impacting every aspect of life, from education to employment. The struggle against these regulations has become a significant [civil rights](/area/civil-rights/) endeavor, culminating in contemporary legislative efforts that seek to reclaim dignity and affirm cultural identity. 

Even after the formal abolition of slavery, the legacy of hair-based discrimination persisted, often manifesting through [societal norms](/area/societal-norms/) and workplace policies that deemed natural Black hairstyles “unprofessional” or “unacceptable”. This informal legislation of appearance carried real consequences, impacting job prospects, educational opportunities, and social mobility. The “Comb Test,” for instance, was an insidious, informal barrier employed in parts of the United States, where a fine-tooth comb would be hung at an establishment’s entrance, signaling that individuals whose hair could not be easily combed through were not welcome. This practice, though not a codified law, functioned as a powerful, exclusionary rule, solidifying the idea that certain hair textures were inherently undesirable. 

The [Civil Rights Movement](/area/civil-rights-movement/) of the 1960s sparked a profound cultural shift, bringing the afro to prominence as a symbol of Black pride and a defiant rejection of Eurocentric beauty ideals. Activists like Angela Davis wore their afros as a political statement, asserting identity and challenging societal norms. This era saw the first legal challenges to hair discrimination. For example, in the 1976 case of **Jenkins v.

Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance**, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld a race discrimination lawsuit against an employer for bias against afros, affirming that workers had the right to wear afros under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Despite this legal victory, the broader social pressure to conform to straightened hair styles lingered, and subsequent rulings often failed to protect braided styles, arguing they were not immutable racial characteristics.

![This evocative portrait captures the essence of natural beauty, highlighting the resilience and strength embodied in the woman’s short, coiled afro. The play of light and shadow accentuates the intricacies of her hair](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-black-and-white-portrait-of-a-woman-with-natural-hair.jpg)

## What Modern Legislation Recognizes Hair as a Matter of Racial Heritage?

The ongoing struggle against [hair discrimination](/area/hair-discrimination/) in the United States reached a contemporary milestone with the advent of the **CROWN Act** (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair). This legislation, first passed in California in 2019, explicitly prohibits discrimination based on [hair texture](/area/hair-texture/) and [protective styles](/area/protective-styles/) historically associated with race, such as braids, locs, twists, and Bantu knots. The CROWN Act directly addresses the loophole in previous civil rights legislation that did not explicitly protect against discrimination based on phenotypical markers of race, like hair texture. By expanding the definition of race in anti-discrimination statutes, the Act aims to prevent individuals, especially Black and brown people, from facing negative consequences in schools, workplaces, and other public settings because of their hair.

As of September 2024, 27 states and Washington, D.C. have passed CROWN laws, with ongoing efforts to establish a federal version.

A powerful instance illuminating the connection between modern legislation and textured [hair heritage](/area/hair-heritage/) lies in the case of **Darryl George**, a high school student in Texas. In 2023, even after Texas adopted its CROWN Act, George was suspended for over a month because school officials claimed his braided locs violated the district’s dress code regarding hair length, despite the CROWN Act’s protection of natural hairstyles. His family argued that the Act should protect him, while the school contended the law did not address hair length. This specific historical example, occurring post-CROWN Act, powerfully underscores the deep-seated nature of hair discrimination and the persistent fight required to fully realize the legislative intent of protecting [Black hair](/area/black-hair/) as a racial and cultural characteristic.

It reveals that the legal framework, though stronger, still requires vigorous advocacy to challenge entrenched biases and ensure that the spirit of the law, which honors cultural heritage, is applied universally. This case highlights how arbitrary rules, often framed as “grooming standards,” continue to serve as mechanisms to police Black bodies and cultural expression, reinforcing the enduring need for clear and protective legislation.

> Contemporary legislation, like the CROWN Act, marks a crucial step in recognizing hair discrimination as racial discrimination, affirming the vital link between textured hair and cultural heritage.
Beyond the United States, other parts of the Americas are also confronting this historical legacy. Anguilla, in April 2022, became the first Caribbean island to introduce a national policy against hair discrimination, allowing braids, locs, and twists in all schools. This move is seen as a significant stride in rewriting rules that have historically mirrored Eurocentric thinking and are now actively embracing Caribbean identity. The discussions around hair legislation continue to unfold across the globe, reflecting a growing collective consciousness about the profound cultural and historical weight carried by textured hair. 

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

![This finely crafted wooden comb, captured in black and white, embodies ancestral wisdom and mindful practices in textured hair care. A celebration of natural beauty through sustainable tools, reflecting cultural commitment to holistic wellness and enhancing spiral hair formations with intention](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/close-up-black-and-white-image-of-a-wooden-hair-comb.jpg)

## Reflection

To consider the journey of textured hair in the Americas, through the lens of historical laws, is to stand at a crossroads where biology meets profound cultural expression, where resilience speaks louder than legislation. The echoes of these laws, from the implicit mandates of enslavement to the explicit Tignon decrees and the ongoing necessity of the CROWN Act, are not distant whispers; they reside within the very structure of each strand, in the rituals passed from hand to hand, and in the collective memory of a people. Our textured hair, truly, is a living, breathing archive. 

The deep heritage of textured hair, so often targeted by legal strictures designed to control and diminish, has instead proven itself boundless, a source of unwavering strength and identity. It has shown us that attempts to legislate appearance inevitably collide with the spirit of human creativity and the enduring power of ancestral wisdom. This continuing dialogue between legal frameworks and lived experience reminds us that hair, at its heart, is never merely a physical attribute; it is a sacred extension of self, a visible lineage connecting us to generations past and shaping our futures. The ongoing work of affirming textured hair, in all its unique expressions, extends beyond the courtroom; it calls for a societal reverence, a recognition of its intrinsic worth, and a celebration of the profound heritage it carries. 

![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)

![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)

## References

- Caldwell, P. (1991). A Hair Piece: Perspectives on the Historical Significance of Hair in Black American Culture. <i>Harvard BlackLetter Journal_, 8, 367.

- Donahoo, S. & Smith, J. (2019). The CROWN Act: Creating a Respectful Open Workplace for Natural Hair. _California Senate Bill 188._

- Gould, V. M. (1996). _The Mulatta Concubine: Terror, Intimacy, Freedom, and Desire in the Black Transatlantic_. Routledge.

- Hamilton, A. (2021). Untangling Discrimination: The CROWN Act and Protecting Black Hair. _University of Cincinnati Law Review_, 89(2), 483.

- Long, C. (2009). _Spiritual Merchants: Religion, Magic, and Commerce_. University of Tennessee Press.

- McBride, S. G. (2025). _Whiskerology: The Culture of Hair in Nineteenth-Century America_. University of Chicago Press.

- Patton, T. O. (2006). Hey Girl, Am I More Than My Hair? African American Women and Their Struggles with Beauty. _Women & Language_, 29(2), 1-13.

- Rooks, N. M. (1996). _Hair Raising: Beauty, Culture, and African American Women_. Rutgers University Press.

- Thompson, S. (2009). _Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America_. St. Martin’s Press.

- Yerima, K. (2017). _The Imperial Aesthetic: Race, Beauty, and the Performance of Whiteness_. University of California Press.

## Glossary

### [Ancient Americas](https://roothea.co/area/ancient-americas/)

Meaning ❉ The term 'Ancient Americas' refers to the periods before European contact, providing a significant source of understanding for textured hair care.

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

Meaning ❉ "Textured Hair Heritage" denotes the deep-seated, historically transmitted understanding and practices specific to hair exhibiting coil, kink, and wave patterns, particularly within Black and mixed-race ancestries.

### [Hot Combs](https://roothea.co/area/hot-combs/)

Meaning ❉ The hot comb, a historically significant tool in Black and mixed-race hair care, is a heated metal implement with a row of teeth, designed to gently smooth and elongate natural curl patterns.

### [Civil Rights Movement](https://roothea.co/area/civil-rights-movement/)

Meaning ❉ The Civil Rights Movement, a pivotal period of advocacy for equity and justice, gently yet comprehensively reshaped the perception of Black hair, moving beyond inherited societal constraints that once limited its public expression.

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

Meaning ❉ The CROWN Act establishes legal protections against discrimination based on hair texture and styles frequently worn by individuals of Black or mixed heritage.

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

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.

### [Hair Practices](https://roothea.co/area/hair-practices/)

Meaning ❉ "Hair Practices" refers to the considered actions and routines applied to the care, maintenance, and presentation of one's hair, particularly pertinent for textured hair types, including Black and mixed-race hair.

### [Colonial Hair Practices](https://roothea.co/area/colonial-hair-practices/)

Meaning ❉ Colonial Hair Practices delicately describe the historical period where European beauty conventions and hair care methodologies were widely presented as superior, influencing how Black and mixed-race individuals perceived and attended to their unique hair textures.

### [Hair Texture Discrimination](https://roothea.co/area/hair-texture-discrimination/)

Meaning ❉ Hair Texture Discrimination gently describes the societal or individual bias directed towards specific curl patterns, coil types, or strand formations, particularly those deeply connected to Black and mixed-race heritage.

### [Hair Heritage](https://roothea.co/area/hair-heritage/)

Meaning ❉ Hair Heritage denotes the ancestral continuum of knowledge, customary practices, and genetic characteristics that shape the distinct nature of Black and mixed-race hair.

## Explore Your Heritage

### [What Historical Laws Affected Textured Hair Acceptance?](https://roothea.co/question/what-historical-laws-affected-textured-hair-acceptance/)
![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.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/portrait-of-woman-with-low-porosity-spirals-in-madras-head-wrap.jpg)

### [How Do Laws Protect Afro-Textured Hair Heritage?](https://roothea.co/question/how-do-laws-protect-afro-textured-hair-heritage/)
![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.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-black-and-white-portrait-of-woman-with-elaborate-braided-hairstyle.jpg)

### [What Specific Laws Suppressed Black Hair Heritage?](https://roothea.co/question/what-specific-laws-suppressed-black-hair-heritage/)
![This portrait evokes a timeless elegance, the artful arrangement of her hairline a testament to enduring Black hair traditions. The play of light emphasizes the texture and form, reflecting a dedication to holistic hair care and expressive styling that honors ancestral heritage.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-beautiful-black-woman-with-sculpted-edges-and-short-hair.jpg)

### [Did Historical Laws Target Textured Hair?](https://roothea.co/question/did-historical-laws-target-textured-hair/)
![United by shared tradition, women collectively grind spices using time-honored tools, linking their heritage and labor to ancestral methods of preparing remedies, foods and enriching hair care preparations. This visual narrative evokes generational wellness, holistic care, and hair health practices rooted in community and ancestral knowledge.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/women-united-in-traditional-african-spice-grinding-ritual-black-and-white.jpg)

### [Hair Care Laws](https://roothea.co/term/hair-care-laws/)
![This monochrome portrait emphasizes the beauty of tightly coiled hair formations styled with precision, reflecting ancestral hair traditions and modern aesthetic expression. The stark contrast and poised demeanor accentuate her natural elegance, inviting viewers to contemplate the artistry and cultural richness inherent in textured hair narratives.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-a-woman-featuring-coiled-hair-styling-and-elegance.jpg)

### [What Role Did Tignon Laws Play in Hair Heritage?](https://roothea.co/question/what-role-did-tignon-laws-play-in-hair-heritage/)
![The striking interplay of light and shadow across layered leaves mirrors the varied tones and rich textures within black hair. This composition invites reflection on ancestral knowledge and the potent botanical ingredients traditionally cherished for nourishing and supporting healthy coil definition and resilience.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochromatic-leaves-reveal-textural-depths-black-hair-ingredient-inspiration.jpg)

### [What Historical Laws Regulated Textured Hair during Enslavement?](https://roothea.co/question/what-historical-laws-regulated-textured-hair-during-enslavement/)
![This captivating black and white portrait celebrates a woman](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-portrait-of-a-woman-showcasing-natural-kinky-coily-textured-hair.jpg)

### [What Enduring Legacy Do Hair Discrimination Laws Leave on Textured Hair Heritage?](https://roothea.co/question/what-enduring-legacy-do-hair-discrimination-laws-leave-on-textured-hair-heritage/)
![This detailed braid pattern embodies the cultural legacy of hair expressions, highlighting both structured artistry and ancestral hair traditions. The interlocked structure is a complex visual representation of deep interconnectedness, care practices, and the enduring narrative woven through heritage.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/intricate-braided-hair-strand-formation-showing-ancestral-interlocking-textural.jpg)

### [Hair Braiding Laws](https://roothea.co/term/hair-braiding-laws/)
![Celebrating ancestral heritage this portrait captures a touching intergenerational connection. Mother and daughter embrace showcasing the fusion of traditional headwrap art and protective styling with coily hair expression.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/generational-wisdom-mother-and-daughter-embrace-ancestral-braiding-coily.jpg)

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        {
            "@type": "Question",
            "name": "What modern legislation recognizes hair as a matter of racial heritage?",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "@type": "Answer",
                "text": "\nThe ongoing struggle against hair discrimination in the United States reached a contemporary milestone with the advent of the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair). This legislation, first passed in California in 2019, explicitly prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and protective styles historically associated with race, such as braids, locs, twists, and Bantu knots. The CROWN Act directly addresses the loophole in previous civil rights legislation that did not explicitly protect against discrimination based on phenotypical markers of race, like hair texture. By expanding the definition of race in anti-discrimination statutes, the Act aims to prevent individuals, especially Black and brown people, from facing negative consequences in schools, workplaces, and other public settings because of their hair. As of September 2024, 27 states and Washington, D.C. have passed CROWN laws, with ongoing efforts to establish a federal version.\n"
            }
        }
    ]
}
```

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "WebPage",
    "@id": "https://roothea.co/question/what-historical-laws-affected-textured-hair-in-the-americas/",
    "mentions": [
        {
            "@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/hair-practices/",
            "name": "Hair Practices",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-practices/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ \"Hair Practices\" refers to the considered actions and routines applied to the care, maintenance, and presentation of one's hair, particularly pertinent for textured hair types, including Black and mixed-race hair."
        },
        {
            "@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/historical-laws/",
            "name": "Historical Laws",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/historical-laws/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Historical Laws, within the gentle scope of textured hair understanding, point to the fundamental, enduring principles that guide the distinct characteristics and responses of coils, curls, and waves."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/slave-codes/",
            "name": "Slave Codes",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/slave-codes/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Slave Codes, within the context of textured hair understanding, signify the historical legal frameworks that fundamentally disrupted the transmission of ancestral hair knowledge and care practices among enslaved African people."
        },
        {
            "@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/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/hair-care-practices/",
            "name": "Hair Care Practices",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-care-practices/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Care Practices, within the delicate realm of textured hair, denote the considered approaches and consistent applications individuals gently employ to support the inherent well-being and distinct patterns of their coils, curls, and waves."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/tignon-laws/",
            "name": "Tignon Laws",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/tignon-laws/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The Tignon Laws, enacted in late 18th-century colonial Louisiana, were decrees requiring free and enslaved Black women to cover their hair with a tignon or headscarf when in public spaces."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair-heritage/",
            "name": "Textured Hair Heritage",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair-heritage/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ \"Textured Hair Heritage\" denotes the deep-seated, historically transmitted understanding and practices specific to hair exhibiting coil, kink, and wave patterns, particularly within Black and mixed-race ancestries."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/civil-rights/",
            "name": "Civil Rights",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/civil-rights/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Civil Rights, within the gentle landscape of textured hair understanding, points to the fundamental freedom and equal access allowing individuals with Black and mixed-race hair to define, care for, and present their unique hair identity without prejudice."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/societal-norms/",
            "name": "Societal Norms",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/societal-norms/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Societal Norms, within the delicate world of textured hair understanding, refer to the commonly accepted, often unspoken, standards that subtly influence how Black and mixed-race hair is perceived, cared for, and presented."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/civil-rights-movement/",
            "name": "Civil Rights Movement",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/civil-rights-movement/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The Civil Rights Movement, a pivotal period of advocacy for equity and justice, gently yet comprehensively reshaped the perception of Black hair, moving beyond inherited societal constraints that once limited its public expression."
        },
        {
            "@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/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/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/hair-heritage/",
            "name": "Hair Heritage",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-heritage/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Heritage denotes the ancestral continuum of knowledge, customary practices, and genetic characteristics that shape the distinct nature of Black and mixed-race hair."
        },
        {
            "@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/ancient-americas/",
            "name": "Ancient Americas",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/ancient-americas/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The term 'Ancient Americas' refers to the periods before European contact, providing a significant source of understanding for textured hair care."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hot-combs/",
            "name": "Hot Combs",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hot-combs/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The hot comb, a historically significant tool in Black and mixed-race hair care, is a heated metal implement with a row of teeth, designed to gently smooth and elongate natural curl patterns."
        },
        {
            "@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/colonial-hair-practices/",
            "name": "Colonial Hair Practices",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/colonial-hair-practices/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Colonial Hair Practices delicately describe the historical period where European beauty conventions and hair care methodologies were widely presented as superior, influencing how Black and mixed-race individuals perceived and attended to their unique hair textures."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-texture-discrimination/",
            "name": "Hair Texture Discrimination",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-texture-discrimination/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Texture Discrimination gently describes the societal or individual bias directed towards specific curl patterns, coil types, or strand formations, particularly those deeply connected to Black and mixed-race heritage."
        }
    ]
}
```


---

**Original URL:** https://roothea.co/question/what-historical-laws-affected-textured-hair-in-the-americas/
