Texas Crown Act Formally Signed by Abbott in Ceremony

On Monday morning, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Crown Act into law in a formal signing ceremony at the Texas Capitol. The law bans discrimination against someone for wearing Black natural hairstyles like braids, locks and twists.

The CROWN Act is an acronym for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair, and it prohibits school districts, colleges or universities, employers or labor unions to discriminate against any protected hairstyle as part of a dress code.

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A case in Mont Belvieu, Texas, brought CROWN Act laws to the forefront after DeAndre Arnold was suspended from Barbers Hill High School in 2020. The school district said the length of his dreadlocks was the issue and it violated the district’s dress code. Arnold, a Black student with Trinidadian heritage, said the hairstyle is part of his family’s heritage and culture {snip}

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CROWN Act bills have been passed in 21 states including Texas and are part of a national civil rights and anti-discrimination movement started in 2019.

“My clients, I’m going to let them know, ‘We’re gonna rock our long natural braids, and we’re going to be able to embrace ourselves and show who we are, as a person,’” Hair Stylist, Klenisha Blanton said.

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