skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Hurricane Helene charges toward Florida's Gulf Coast, expected to strike late today as a dangerous storm; Millions of Illinois' convenient voting method gains popularity; House task force holds first hearing today to investigate near assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania; New report finds Muslim students in New York face high levels of discrimination in school.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Biden says all-out-war is threatening in the Middle East, as tensions rise. Congress averts a government shutdown, sending stopgap funding to the president's desk and an election expert calls Georgia's latest election rule a really bad idea.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The presidential election is imminent and young rural voters say they still feel ignored, it's leaf peeping season in New England but some fear climate change could mute fall colors, and Minnesota's mental health advocates want more options for troubled youth.

New CT Law Combats Hairstyle Discrimination

play audio
Play

Friday, March 12, 2021   

HARTFORD, Conn. - Legislation creating a respectful and open world for a person's natural hair - known as the CROWN Act - is now state law in Connecticut.

A signing ceremony was held Wednesday, with speeches from Gov. Ned Lamont, the bill's legislative champions, and community supporters.

Melinda Johnson, director of Community Engagement and Advocacy with the YWCA Hartford, spoke at the event, and said the CROWN Act is an example of transformative legislation that combats racist practices.

"If an individual experiences this form of discrimination, they have the right to pursue a lawsuit," said Johnson. "That, in and of itself, validates what Black and Brown people have been experiencing for so long, and had no ability to seek justice for."

The law includes acceptance of ethnic hair texture and styles in the workplace.

In 2019, a study by the beauty-products company Dove found that one in five Black women working in an office or sales setting said they've had to alter their natural hair in order to feel accepted at work.

Growing up, Johnson said she was told by others - from family members to other Black women - that she had to "look the part" to land a job.

"Part of that had to do with how my hair was presented, and making sure that it was 'up' and straight," said Johnson. "So, when I got into the workforce, and when confronted with Eurocentric grooming standards, it didn't seem like it was a problem, because I had already been cultured to suppress my identity in these spaces."

Johnson asserted her story is not unique. She said every Black person - man or woman, boy or girl - has stories of discrimination involving their hair.

The CROWN Act aims to change the narrative.

According to Johnson, the problem won't be solved simply through anti-bias education, but needs direct action.

"And it shows that as a state, we recognize that discrimination and racism is a structural and a systemic issue," said Johnson. "It's one that cannot just be conquered by education or other means of conformity, that this is something that we have to set standards for."

While its backers see the CROWN Act as a big win, Johnson said he hopes Gov. Lamont will declare racism a public-health crisis, and that lawmakers will take action to push for a better quality of life for all Connecticut residents.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
A new report from the Council on American Islamic Relations-New York showed 43% of students who were bullied for being Muslim said they never asked for help. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A new report found Muslim students in New York City public schools face high levels of discrimination in school. The report from the Council on …


Social Issues

play sound

With the election six weeks away, concern is building about attempts to intimidate voters at the polls - so, lawmakers are taking action at the state …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Health-care advocates say more than 1 million North Carolinians could lose access to health care if the promises made in Project 2025 are carried out…


A blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) costs between $10 and $250 depending on which health care facility you choose. A comprehensive metabolic panel ranges from $10 to $700. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Shopping for health-care procedures has historically been more challenging than getting the best deal on groceries or even car repairs. But Cari …

Health and Wellness

play sound

While overdose deaths in the Commonwealth have declined, deaths among Black Kentuckians have increased by 5%, according to data from the latest …

Environment

play sound

A North Dakota task force meets again next month as it considers updating the scope of local zoning laws dealing with factory farms. It is an issue …

Social Issues

play sound

The election is less than six weeks away and Washingtonians will be deciding on a slate of initiatives, including one measure affecting funding in …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021