House of Representatives Passes National Version of “CROWN Act”

The United States House of Representatives on Friday March 18th passed House Resolution 2116, known as the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2021” or “the CROWN Act of 2021.”

According to the bill, the CROWN Act “prohibits discrimination based on a person's hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment. Persons shall not be deprived of equal rights under the law and shall not be subjected to prohibited practices based on their hair texture or style.”

Ahead of the passage of the measure on Friday, Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett passionately supported the measure during a speech on the House Floor.

“I rise in support of the CROWN Act–the Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair. HR 21-16, which I urge this body to pass this Friday in the house. I stand in support for all the girls and women who need the freedom to be who God made them, to be their beautiful selves from the tips of their toes to every twist wave and coil of their beautiful hair. 53% of black mothers whose daughters have experienced hair discrimination say their daughters experienced the discrimination as early as five years old. And 86% of black teens who experienced discrimination state that they experienced it by the age of 12. Trauma means that teenage girls are missing a week of school per year due to their hair dissatisfaction. I recall as a small girl after school telling my mother about a man joking about my perfectly coiffed round afro. Her lioness reaction gave me the strength to endure microaggressions I received when I wore my hair and locks, then cornrows or braids as an adult. These biases continue to perpetuate unfair scrutiny and I stand and ask you all to stand with me, for my daughter and for others like her to be their most glorious selves.”

In its local form, The Virgin Islands CROWN Act, Bill No. 34-0147 sponsored by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger, will receive consideration for a final vote from the full 34th Legislature during a session slated for Thursday (3/24). The measure has received thorough vetting through multiple committee hearings since its introduction in October of 2021. Since then, Senator Genevieve R. Whitaker and Senator Marvin A. Blyden also signed on as sponsors of the Virgin Islands CROWN Act.

If passed by the full body of the 34th Legislature on March 24th, the Virgin Islands CROWN Act will move to the governor for signage into the Virgin Islands Code.