A Lexington City Council committee has unanimously backed an effort to add hairstyles as a protected status. The proposed ordinance is likely to get a final vote within the next few weeks.
Lexington is looking to enact a local C.R.O.W.N Act. Creating a respectful open world for natural hair protects against discrimination based on natural hair texture and protective styles. A number of Council members expressed support including James Brown, who said he knows the challenges he’s faced as a black man.
“I can’t even imagine a lot of the challenges that black women and other folks face for a variety of issues but hair and discrimination have taken place because of someone’s hair is real,” said Brown.
Under the ordinance proposal complaints would be filed with the Lexington Human Rights Commission.
Offering support during Tuesday’s Council Work Session was LaDonna Walker of Fayette County.
“Talk about who you are. Represent who you are, how you look. That’s my signature. So today, I stand firm, I stay positive. And just because I look a certain way does not mean you cannot fulfill those obligations,” said Walker.
If given final approval, Lexington would join Covington, Louisville, and Frankfort. Efforts to establish a statewide C.R.O.W.N. Act failed to win passage twice in the Kentucky General Assembly.
** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, fact-based journalism. Monthly sustaining donors are the top source of funding for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.
