Garland lawmaker takes on hair discrimination, resubmits CROWN law

Texas Representative Rhetta Andrews Bowers (D-GarlandDistrict 113) takes on the problem of hair discrimination again.

” CROWN Law was the first bill I was going to resubmit,” Bowers said.

bill protects men and women from hair discrimination based on hair texture and protected hairstyle commonly associated with race. Protected hairstyles include braids, curls and twists.

“It’s for the classroom, the workplace, and also in housing. Students were detained after graduation, they were not allowed to the prom, they were taken away from the basketball courts, ”Bowers said.

Bowers worked with State Board of Education member Aisha Davis (District D 13) for awareness raising.

“Many school districts are willing to listen to this kind of conversation,” said Davis, who represents Dallas and tarrant districts.

Davis said that while she has not seen specific cases of students here, they have been all over the state and she hopes other lawmakers will hear about them.

“For this session, education seems to be a priority, and that goes for both sides of the aisle. So I really hope they understand the importance of this bill if you really prioritize public education,” Davis added.

Bowers said she discussed it with the Speaker of the House. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont, District 21) and he was receptive. The bill went through a House committee last session, but time elapsed before it could get a full vote.

“I believe we have the support we need across the state. We’re still working on it,” Davis said.

Several states have already passed this law.like the city of Austin.