Which states have adopted the CROWN Act for textured hair?

Roots

The very strands that crown our heads carry stories, whispers from ancient pathways, and the resilient spirit of generations. For individuals of African and mixed-race descent, hair is more than mere adornment; it is a profound keeper of heritage , a living archive etched in each coil, wave, and loc. This intrinsic connection to ancestral wisdom, to cultural practices stretching back millennia, forms the bedrock of our understanding. Yet, for too long, the natural artistry of textured hair, so deeply tied to identity and lineage, found itself scrutinized, judged, and dismissed in spaces meant for growth and opportunity.

The journey towards a world where one’s authentic self, crowned by its natural glory, stands respected in classrooms and workspaces finds a modern expression in the CROWN Act. This legislative movement, though contemporary in its legal form, speaks to a much older struggle for recognition and belonging, a struggle that runs through the very fibers of Black hair history.

Hair’s Ancestral Design

Consider the remarkable design of textured hair. Its elliptical shape, its unique curl pattern, its strength born of elasticity—these are not random occurrences. They are biological adaptations, sculpted by environments, cultures, and time. Each strand possesses a medulla, cortex, and cuticle, similar to other hair types, yet their arrangement and characteristics yield a structure capable of both incredible versatility and distinctive volume.

For centuries, ancestral communities honored these qualities. Hair, shaped into intricate patterns or adorned with cowrie shells and precious metals, served as a communal ledger, denoting status, marital availability, tribal affiliation, or even protection from spiritual harms. The very act of care, the communal styling sessions under the sun or by firelight, represented a passing down of knowledge, a ceremony connecting one generation to the next.

This deep engagement with hair predates modern science. Ancient African societies understood the interplay of moisture, tension, and gentle handling for hair wellness. They used natural plant oils, butters from shea and cocoa, and herbal infusions to nourish and protect.

This wisdom, passed through oral tradition and lived practice, speaks to an elemental connection to the earth and its bounty, a holistic approach that recognized hair as an extension of the self, deserving of reverence. To dismiss natural hair is, in effect, to diminish this ancient wisdom, to sever a visible link to a rich and vibrant past.

The CROWN Act stands as a legal affirmation of what cultural practices have always known ❉ textured hair is a living testament to identity and ancestral wisdom.

What is the CROWN Act’s Historical Grounding?

The CROWN Act, an acronym for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, directly addresses the denial of opportunities based on hair texture or protective styles. Its legal framework recognizes that such discrimination is a form of racial bias. This legislative effort finds its roots in the pervasive history of appearance policies disproportionately targeting Black individuals. From the workplace to educational settings, policies mandating “neat” or “professional” appearances often serve as proxies for racial discrimination, forcing individuals to alter their natural hair to conform to Eurocentric standards.

This pressure, deeply historical, carries echoes of eras when Black hair was deemed “unruly” or “unacceptable,” a deliberate attempt to erase visible markers of African heritage. The CROWN Act aims to dismantle these vestiges of bias, establishing clear legal protections where ambiguity once allowed prejudice to flourish.

The origins of this legal movement trace back to California, which pioneered the legislation in 2019. The state’s action sent a clear message ❉ racial discrimination, even when veiled by appearance policies, deserves no quarter. This decisive step sparked a cascade of similar legislative efforts across the United States.

Each state that has since adopted its version of the CROWN Act reaffirms the inherent dignity of textured hair and the right of individuals to wear it naturally without penalty. This collective legislative movement represents a significant stride in safeguarding the visible representations of Black and mixed-race identity.

Ritual

The care and styling of textured hair have always transcended mere aesthetics. They are rituals, deeply ingrained practices that speak to community, self-care, and the perpetuation of cultural stories. From the communal braiding circles of West Africa to the modern-day salon, these spaces have been sanctuaries, hubs of shared experience, laughter, and wisdom.

The enactment of the CROWN Act across various states affects these rituals, protecting the freedom to express one’s heritage through hair without fear of punitive measures. It acknowledges the historical significance of styles like braids, locs, twists, and bantu knots, recognizing them as integral to racial identity and not merely fashion choices.

Traditional Styles as Living History

Protective styling, for example, is not a modern invention. Its roots run deep into ancestral practices. Think of the intricate cornrows depicted on ancient sculptures, or the coiled styles that once signified a woman’s marital status or tribal allegiance. These were not just beautiful arrangements; they were functional, designed to protect the hair from environmental elements, promote growth, and maintain health.

• Braids ❉ Beyond their protective benefits, braiding patterns often conveyed social standing, age, and religious belief in various African societies.
• Locs ❉ In many spiritual traditions, locs represent a natural, untouched state, a connection to the divine, or a symbol of inner wisdom and commitment.
• Bantu Knots ❉ A style with origins tied to the Zulu people of Southern Africa, these coiled knots serve both as a protective style and a method for setting curl patterns.

The CROWN Act’s explicit mention of these styles—along with afros and twists—as protected expressions of racial identity, offers a legal shield to practices that have sustained Black hair through generations of adversity. It means that the living history carried in these styles can now move freely from community spaces into professional and academic realms, without judgment.

How does Modern Care Honor Ancestral Methods?

The advancements in hair science today, coupled with a renewed appreciation for holistic wellness, often align with, or even validate, the ancestral methods that prioritized hair health. The very definition of “care” for textured hair, informed by the CROWN Act’s protections, invites a deeper understanding of its unique needs. This includes a balance of hydration, nourishment, and gentle handling, practices that mirror the traditional use of natural botanicals and oils.

Consider the modern discourse around scalp health. Indigenous practices across Africa long recognized the scalp as the foundation of hair vitality, incorporating massages with herbal remedies and nutrient-rich oils. Contemporary trichology, the scientific study of hair and scalp, now echoes this, confirming the importance of a healthy scalp microbiome and blood circulation for optimal hair growth.

The tools too, have evolved. While our ancestors might have used specially carved combs or natural fibers, modern brushes and detangling tools are designed with textured hair in mind, often inspired by the gentleness required for historically significant styles.

The impact of the CROWN Act extends to product innovation. As more states recognize the importance of textured hair, the market responds with products tailored to its specific needs, often drawing inspiration from traditional ingredients and formulations. This legislative push helps to destigmatize and normalize textured hair, creating a more inclusive environment where the legacy of Black hair care can flourish openly.

Protecting natural hair styles is protecting centuries of cultural practice, enabling heritage to be worn without fear.

The Act helps dismantle barriers that have historically prevented individuals from bringing their whole selves to public spaces. When a student can wear their locs to school without facing disciplinary action, or an employee can sport their braids in a corporate setting without fear of being sent home, it affirms not just their right to expression, but also the intrinsic value of their cultural heritage .

Relay

The journey of the CROWN Act from a concept to a legal reality across numerous states represents a crucial relay race in the ongoing pursuit of civil rights. Each state’s adoption carries significant weight, building momentum and setting a precedent that echoes the long-standing fight for equitable treatment. This legislation confronts a subtle, yet deeply ingrained, form of discrimination that has often been dismissed as a mere “grooming policy” issue.

Yet, at its core, it speaks to the right to self-expression, a fundamental aspect of human dignity that is particularly profound for communities whose identities have been systematically devalued. The legal battles and the grassroots advocacy that paved the way for these laws reveal a powerful convergence of ancestral resilience and contemporary activism.

Which States Champion Natural Hair?

As of early to mid-2024, a significant number of states have enacted the CROWN Act or similar legislation, marking a progressive shift in the legal landscape. These states have recognized that discrimination based on hair texture and protective styles is a form of racial bias that must be prohibited. The pioneering spirit began in California, which codified the CROWN Act into law on July 3, 2019. This act set a powerful precedent, declaring that “in a society in which hair has historically been one of many determining factors of a person’s race, and whether they were a second-class citizen, hair today remains a proxy for race.”.

Following California’s lead, states across the nation have joined this movement. The roster includes Alaska, Arizona (via executive order), Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky (via executive order for state employees), Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. This growing list, totaling approximately 27 states, illustrates a widening understanding of how appearance standards can perpetuate systemic inequalities, particularly those rooted in race. Washington D.C.

also has protections against hair discrimination, though not specifically through the CROWN Act. The momentum continues, with efforts to introduce or pass similar legislation in other jurisdictions, and ongoing attempts to enact a federal CROWN Act.

What is the Cultural Impact of Legal Protections?

The legal protections afforded by the CROWN Act carry immense cultural weight. For generations, Black and mixed-race individuals have faced implicit and explicit pressure to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards, often at the expense of their natural hair. This pressure has manifested in various forms, from discriminatory school policies that led to students being sent home or suspended, to workplace environments where natural styles were deemed “unprofessional”. The emotional and psychological toll of such experiences is significant, affecting self-esteem and limiting opportunities.

A powerful illustration of this comes from a study commissioned by Dove in 2019, which found that Black Women are 1.5 Times More Likely to Be Sent Home from Their Workplace Because of Their Hair. This statistic speaks to a lived reality of microaggressions and overt discrimination that underscores the urgent need for legislation like the CROWN Act. It is a stark reminder that what might seem like a minor grooming rule to some represents a significant barrier to equity and a direct attack on cultural expression for others. The Act works to dismantle these barriers, allowing individuals to participate fully in society without compromising their authentic selves.

Beyond legal enforcement, the CROWN Act prompts a societal reckoning with historical biases against textured hair.

This legal shift encourages a broader societal reckoning with historical biases. It prompts institutions, from schools to corporations, to re-evaluate their appearance policies and embrace genuine diversity. The Act serves as an educational tool, raising awareness about the cultural significance of textured hair and challenging long-held misconceptions. It is a step towards a world where natural hair is not just tolerated, but celebrated as a vibrant aspect of cultural identity, fostering an environment where all individuals, regardless of hair texture, can stand tall and proud.

The legislative process itself, often driven by the tireless efforts of advocates, community organizations, and concerned citizens, mirrors the communal strength that has long sustained Black hair traditions. The CROWN Coalition, comprised of over 80 advocacy groups, has played a pivotal part in pushing for these laws at both state and national levels. Their work reminds us that legal changes often stem from collective voices, from the enduring spirit of individuals who refuse to allow history’s shadows to dictate their present or future.

1. Activism ❉ Grassroots organizations and coalitions have been instrumental in advocating for the CROWN Act, providing educational resources and lobbying state legislatures.
2. Community Support ❉ The movement gained strength from widespread community support, with personal stories and experiences highlighting the urgent need for legal protection.
3. Legislative Evolution ❉ States often review and refine their CROWN Act versions, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to comprehensive protection against hair discrimination.

Reflection

The passage of the CROWN Act in numerous states marks a significant moment, yet it is but one chapter in the vast, unfolding story of textured hair. This legal framework, a modern shield against age-old prejudices, reminds us that the quest for true acceptance extends beyond statutes. It calls upon us to recognize the profound heritage carried within every coil, every loc, every strand. The soul of a strand, as we often reflect, speaks not only of biological marvel but of ancestral memory, of resilience forged in trials, and of beauty defined on its own terms.

As we look ahead, the work continues—not merely to expand the reach of this legislation, but to cultivate a collective consciousness that truly values the diverse expressions of human beauty, rooted in respect for all ancestries. This enduring legacy, vibrant and strong, shapes the very fabric of our shared human experience, compelling us to honor the past as we build a more equitable future.