Minnesotans would be protected from discrimination based on how they wear their hair under a bill the House passed Monday.
The so-called CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, adds a definition of race that is inclusive of natural hairstyles and textures to the Minnesota Human Rights Act. It's an effort to break down barriers that Black Minnesotans face at work, school and other public spaces for wearing hairstyles such as braids, locs and twists.
The bill "will clearly define that no one should be prevented from a job or an education because of the way that their hair naturally grows from their head," said Rep. Esther Agbaje, DFL-Minneapolis, its chief House sponsor.
