Tangled in Injustice: The Importance of Passing the CROWN Act Across Europe

In a world that is increasingly striving for diversity and inclusivity, it is crucial to address issues that perpetuate discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and cultural identity. The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act is a pivotal piece of legislation that aims to combat hair-based discrimination, particularly targeting individuals of African descent.

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By Nicolette Alexandra Brito-Cruz | Edited by Brontë Delmonico

Hair discrimination is a form of racial discrimination that disproportionately affects people with naturally curly and kinky hair. For centuries, individuals have been forced to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards, that perpetuate racial bias and inequality. The CROWN Act aims to reform this by ensuring that all individuals can express themselves authentically, free from fear of prejudice.

The Act was initially introduced in California in 2019 and has quickly gained traction and attention around the world. Its primary objective is to prohibit discrimination on the basis of natural hair or protective hairstyles, such as braids, locs, and afros. This legislation has resonated globally, as it addresses a fundamental issue: the unfair treatment of individuals who choose to embrace their natural hair textures and styles, especially in work and learning spaces.

While this legislation has made significant strides in the United States, being passed in 27 states, its importance is equally compelling in European countries, seeing that many Western beauty standards are Eurocentric and the rise of discrimination against people of African descent in Europe.

In the United Kingdom, France, and other European countries, where a diverse range of cultures and ethnicities coexist, the CROWN Act can be a significant step toward eradicating systemic racism and promoting unity among its citizens.

In the United Kingdom, there have been a number of reports of hair discrimination, especially over recent years, which have led to the creation of organizations such as the Halo Collective, a group aimed at fighting hair discrimination.

This coalition has worked to create the Halo Code, a campaign inspired by the CROWN Act and created to foster safe spaces for people to wear afro-hairstyles free of judgment.

While the code is a step in the right direction, especially targeting schools and businesses, it is crucial to continue this work to get it passed through legislation. If passed, and enforced, this can ensure the mental and physical wellbeing of people with afro-hair and hairstyles.

Olivier Serva, a Deputy of the French National Assembly, plans to introduce a bill to fight hair discrimination. If enforced, this legislation can be a positive push toward diversity and equity in the country which has been in turmoil since the National Assembly unanimously voted to remove the word race from their constitution in 2018.

This, along with the fact that since 1978, authorities cannot collect personal information relating to race, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, or other personal beliefs under the law of information and freedom, it is extremely difficult to know the scale of discrimination that Black French people face, especially in relation to hair.

While many European countries have laws condemning discrimination based on race and other identities, whether these laws are enforced or not is questionable.

In a study conducted by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, participants of African descent experienced heightened racial discrimination while looking for employment. The countries with the highest discrimination percentages are “Austria (59 %), Germany (56 %) and Finland (53 %).”

This is not only seen in adults in the workforce but also with children in schools.

“Overall, around every fourth respondent (23 %) indicated that someone made offensive or threatening comments to their child(ren) in person because of their ethnic or immigrant background … There were substantial variations between countries. Almost two out of five parents in Ireland (39 %), Germany and Finland (both 38 %) and Austria (37 %) disclosed such experiences.”

Furthermore, eight percent of participants reported that their children had faced physical abuse, including hair-pulling, kicking, and hitting, because of their children’s social backgrounds. Finland and Ireland had the highest rates of this, with 20% and 23% of parents noting this.

Because of this and other factors, young adults of African descent in the European Union (EU) between the ages of 18 – 24 are three times more likely than any other race their age in the EU to drop out of school.

This is what the CROWN Act aims to combat: discrimination in schools, workplaces, and society as a whole.

Passing the CROWN Act also serves as an educational opportunity to raise awareness about cultural diversity and inclusion. In European nations, schools, workplaces, and society as a whole can benefit from implementing policies that support cultural understanding. By acknowledging the importance of natural hair and the history behind protective hairstyles, society can foster a more inclusive environment that values and respects diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

Beyond the moral aspect, the Act can also drive economic empowerment. It enables individuals to pursue their careers without the fear of discrimination, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and increased productivity. It could help reduce the economic disparities that result from hair-based discrimination by ensuring that all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.

Passing the Act, or a variation of it in European countries, would demonstrate solidarity with the global struggle against discrimination. It would send a clear message that these nations are committed to combating racism in all its forms and are dedicated to creating a society where all individuals can thrive and express themselves freely.

It is not just a piece of legislation; it is a powerful symbol of unity, equality, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their hair texture or style.

By Nicolette Alexandra Brito-Cruz | Edited by Brontë Delmonico

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