Historically, society and the criminal justice arena have disproportionately discriminated against minorities and people of color much more significantly than their white counterparts for various reasons.

National Crown Day (7/3)  is a day of awareness and a day of celebration towards African American natural hair styles that have been mocked, attacked, and used to discriminate against people of color for centuries in schools and professional workplaces.

Our public scholarship: Penalizing Black Hair in the Name of Academic Success is Undeniably Racist, Unfounded, and Against the Law, found that ...“Seventy percent of all suspension disciplines are discretionary. Specifically, Black students are more likely to be suspended for discretionary reasons unrelated to student misconduct, such as their hairstyle.”

While some states and companies have created policies to remove these types of discriminatory practices, in hopes of cultivating and fostering a more inclusive and diverse atmosphere, the prejudice towards natural hair styles and many black Americans is still an unfortunate reality.

Our piece entitled: "The Criminalization of Black Hair" shares stories of black students who have been forced to cut their hair, shares research on the topic at hand, and implores legislators to pass meaningful legislation at the federal level banning discriminatory practices based on one’s hair.

The Crown Act reflects on the importance of removing stereotypes that often result in an increase in unemployment, delayed promotion and a presumption of guilt by law enforcement. Therefore, we must continue to make certain local, state & federal law makers are held accountable in the fight towards the decriminalization of Black Hair. To learn more visit: The Crown Act - Online Campaign.