On May 29th, 2023, Governor Gregg Abbott of Texas signs the CROWN (Creating Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural hair) Act into law. Effective September 1st of this year, it will be prohibited to discriminate people because of cultural hairstyles in Texas public spaces including workplaces, schools, and housing policies.
Texas, a consistently conservative state, has a Black population percentage of 12.1%, about 3.2 million people. The state has birthed Black woman superstars from Megan Thee Stallion to Erykah Badu to Ciara to Beyoncé. And inspired by her childhood growing up in a beauty salon, Beyoncé announced her launching her hair care line almost two weeks prior to the passing of the CROWN Act.
“I saw firsthand how the ways we nurture and celebrate hair can directly impact our souls” stated the Alien Superstar. “Having learned so much on my hair journey, I’ve always dreamed on carrying on her [Tina Knowles’s] legacy.”
So what does this mean for the Texas hotties? This means liberation and celebration. Wearing the bow bows and beads, twists and twist outs, braids and buns will no longer be deemed “unprofessional” or “unkept”.
“Nobody should be discriminated against for their hair, plain and simple.” Says Texas 30th District Representative Jasmine Crockett. “It’s a brighter day in Texas, as our Governor has signed my Soror’s [Rhetta Andrews Boyers] CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination of hairstyles.”
Other Southern states have passed or in the process of passing the CROWN Act. Alabama passed the CROWN Act last year in March of 2022 and the CROWN Act is on the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus’s agenda for the 2023 session.
With the US Senate Texas general election coming in 2024, the Texas House of Representative’s agenda fills more and more every day. However, the CROWN Act is a win for the Texas Hotties, and a reason to celebrate.
Culture. 