Today, I would like to talk to you about a fight that is pretty personal for me, John –
As a woman who wears her hair as she chooses, including natural, I’ve had many unpleasant encounters with people who have told me I do not look like a member of Congress because of my hair.
Even now in 2020, decades after the Civil Rights movement, my colleagues of color and I are still fighting for justice, freedom, equality, and the right to wear our natural hair.
Black women are 1.5 times more likely to face hair discrimination in the workplace and 80% have reported feeling forced to change their hair to align with white beauty standards just to fit in.
From the workplace to our schools, young girls are taught that their natural and cultural hairstyles are not professional or accepted. Enough is enough.
Yesterday, the House passed my CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act), which would protect workers from race-based hair discrimination. Now, John, I need your help to get it passed in the Senate.
Help us push this bill across the finish line by signing on as a citizen co-sponsor today. We’re so close to passing this landmark legislation and we need your voice in this fight.
I've been wearing my natural hair for decades, and everyone else should feel empowered to wear theirs, too.
In solidarity,
Barbara Lee
P.S. Here is a picture of my friend and mentor, Shirley Chisholm, and I rocking our crowns back in the day!
