ATLANTA – State Representative Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta), who serves on the House Small Business Development Committee and Working Families Caucus, recently introduced House Resolution 1590, which would establish the House Study Committee on Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN).
“It is time that Georgia addresses the implicit and explicit biases and discriminations as it pertains to the characteristics that are associated with race, such as hair,” said Rep. Schofield. “This study committee would provide an opportunity to inform and educate the public and private sector, including workplaces, educational settings, housing and those in the medical community, about cultural, ethnicity and racial disparities related to natural hair and/or protective styles. There are countless instances where Black women, men and children have been discriminated against for wearing natural hair and/or protective styles. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Black people have adapted more hairstyles that reflect their natural hair and heritage. Black hair is naturally presented in braids, twists, locs and non-chemically treated hair.”
If HR 1590 is adopted, the House Study Committee on CROWN would work to address racial discrimination regarding hair texture and protective hairstyles in the workplace, educational settings and all public accommodations, including housing. The study committee would hold listening sessions and virtual conversations to discuss such discrimination and encourage tolerance for natural hair styles.
For more information on HR 1590, please click here.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 60, which includes portions of Clayton and Fulton counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves on the Health & Human Services, Interstate Cooperation and Small Business Development committees.
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