New York City makes Law about Hair Discrimination

Read about how New York City makes Law about Hair Discrimination (retrieved from NEWSELA, CODE:

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 Throughout history, many black people have been treated unfairly because of their hair. They have faced discrimination for wearing certain hairstyles. Leaders in New York City say this is no longer allowed. They say it is against the law.

There is already a law in the city that bans discrimination. Discrimination is unfair treatment based on a person's race, religion or gender. It is illegal. City leaders said the same law also applies to hair. It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of their hairstyle.

Hair Is An Important Part Of Black Identity

The law protects all groups of people. It may especially protect people who have African ancestry, though. People in this group have often had their hair criticized. 

For hundreds of years, other groups have told black people they should dress and style their hair in certain ways. They were pressured to fit in. Many had to change how they looked. They had to it whether they wanted to or not. Today, many people view wearing their hair how they want as a way to fight back. For this reason, hairstyles are an important part of black identity. They are a part of who black people are.

Black People Have Been Punished For Their Hair

Image 2. A young girl with braids laughs with her friends. Braids such as these are a hairstyle traditionally worn by black people. Photo by: Verkeorg/Flickr

Still, many are discriminated against because of their hair. Recently, there have been a few famous cases. Governments, schools and businesses have tried to punish black individuals because of their hair. The public has fought back. 

The U.S. Department of Defense is one example. Five years ago, this government department made a rule. It said people in the army could not wear their hair in Afros, braids or twists. These are all black hairstyles. People complained. They said the rule was unfair. The department got rid of the rule soon after.

Another case took place in December. It had to do with a student named Andrew Johnson. He was competing in a wrestling match. But he was forced to cut his hair before he was allowed to wrestle. People protested this.

Change Your Hair Or Lose Your Job

A third example involved a TV anchor. Her name is Brittany Noble-Jones. She said she faced discrimination last year. She worked for a TV station in Jackson, Mississippi. Noble-Jones said wearing braids on TV got her fired from her job. Her employers disagreed. The station said that she was not fired because of her hair. 

Image 3. The activist Angela Davis (center?width=750&compression=85) wore her hair in an Afro style as a physical symbol of the fight against racism. Photo by: George Louis/Wikimedia

Similar cases have been reported all across the United States.  New York City leaders said they are looking into seven cases involving black workers. Some said they were told to wear their hair a different way. Their employers said they would be fired if they did not change their hair. 

You Have The Right To Look Like Yourself

Noliwe Rooks is a professor. She teaches at Cornell University in New York. She said hair should be protected by the law. 

It is not about fitting in, Rooks said. It is about the right to be and look like yourself, without being treated badly.

"I'm proud how hair grows out of my head," she said.