Essay
Bill HF0037 Essay
My bill, known, as the CROWN Act the crown standing for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair” is not only a act calling for fairness but also calling out the discrimination of how black people and people color hair grow. The bill was made to protect individuals from discrimination based on their natural hair textures and styles, promote inclusion, and support racial equality. In over 30 states like New york, California, New jersey, Texas and more. According to National Urban League CROWN Act more states adopt the CROWN Act, millions of people are being protected from discrimination related to natural and cultural hairstyles like afros, braids, bantu, knots,and locs.. This law ensures that individuals cannot be penalized, fired, or denied opportunities simply because of how their natural hair looks, promoting inclusivity and respect for cultural identity.
In Minnesota, the CROWN Act was passed in 2023 to fight hair discrimination. With a state budget surplus of $2.4 billion in December 2023, the state has decided to use half of that surplus—around $1.2 billion—to support the CROWN Act. This funding will help pay for education, awareness programs, and enforcement of the law in schools and workplaces. The other $1.2 billion will be saved as a reserve, giving the state money to cover future costs and unexpected needs. By using only half of the surplus for this initiative, Minnesota can support the CROWN Act while also ensuring financial stability for the future.
The CROWN Act is also a highly cost-effective initiative. Since the law focuses on prohibiting hair discrimination rather than creating large, complex programs, there is little room for wasteful spending. Unlike many government projects that can result in costly mistakes or inefficiencies, the expenses related to the CROWN Act, such as public awareness campaigns and legal enforcement, are well-defined and manageable. Because the costs are predetermined, any discrepancies between the expected and actual spending can be quickly identified and addressed. This helps ensure that funds are used efficiently and that unnecessary expenditures are avoided.
While the CROWN Act has been widely praised for addressing hair discrimination, there are some concerns. One issue is that the law has not yet been enacted at the federal level, meaning that protections are not universal across all states. Additionally, enforcing the law can be challenging, as proving discrimination based on hair can be subjective and difficult to demonstrate in court. Some also worry that the law might be misinterpreted or misapplied, leading to confusion over grooming standards in schools and workplaces. There is also opposition from certain groups who believe the law infringes on the rights of employers and institutions to set their own grooming policies. Lastly, while the CROWN Act addresses an important issue, some critics argue it is narrowly focused on hair discrimination and does not fully address broader issues of racial inequality and systemic discrimination.
References
CROWN Act Official Website - The CROWN Act's official page provides details about the movement and the law itself, including its goals and state-by-state status.
The CROWN Act
National Urban League: The National Urban League has advocated for the CROWN Act and provides information on its passage across states. National Urban League CROWN Act
Minnesota State Budget: To see how funds are allocated in Minnesota's budget, you would need to check the state’s
Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB)