Support for the Crown Act

Black Oregonians already live with the harmful racial stereotype that natural Black hair is unprofessional. Black women are 80% more likely to change their natural hair to meet social expectations at work. A study found that Black women are 30% more likely to be given the “grooming policies” of their employer than women who aren’t Black.

Currently, it is legal to discriminate against a person in the workplace or in schools because of their natural or protective hairstyle in Oregon. Hair discrimination remains a source of racial injustice with serious economic consequences for Black people. The CROWN Act corrects these racial injustices by making hair discrimination illegal. Forward Together Action believes natural hairstyles should be celebrated, not discouraged.