July 25th 2024.
Recently, Puerto Rico made a significant step towards promoting equality and inclusivity by passing a law that bans hair discrimination against Black individuals who choose to wear their natural hair. As reported by the Associated Press, the U.S. territory's governor, Pedro Pierluisi, signed the legislation into effect on Wednesday, July 24th. This new law will protect individuals who wear Afros, curls, locs, twists, braids, or any other natural hairstyles from facing discrimination in areas such as education, housing, public services, and employment.
The law's official statement highlighted the unfortunate reality that Black or Afro-descendant individuals in Puerto Rico still face discriminatory treatment, a lack of opportunities, marginalization, exclusion, and various other forms of discrimination. This legislation marks an important step towards promoting equality and addressing the systemic issues that exist in society.
Currently, Puerto Rico is home to 3.2 million people, with over 1.6 million identifying as being of two or more races. According to the U.S. Census, nearly 230,000 people on the island solely identify as Black. Welmo Romero Joseph, a community facilitator at nonprofit organization Taller Salud, expressed his joy over this victory for future generations. He also emphasized the message that this law sends, stating that one can reach positions of power without having to change their identity.
For Joseph, this issue hits close to home. In the past, he had to face discrimination from a high school principal who ordered him to cut his flat top hairstyle. Joseph had worked hard in school and maintained a 4.0 GPA, and yet his hair was seen as a problem. As he stated, "What did that have to do with my hair?"
Unfortunately, hair discrimination is a long-standing issue in America, and it persists to this day. Many Black individuals have faced discrimination in the workplace or at school due to their natural hairstyles such as locs, curls, and twists, which have even led to suspensions. In 2019, the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) was formed to address this issue, and approximately 24 states in the U.S. have adapted their own versions of this act.
Puerto Rico's recent legislation is a significant step in the right direction towards promoting equality and inclusivity for all individuals, regardless of their race or hairstyle. As society continues to push for change, it is crucial to recognize and address these systemic issues to create a more equal and just world for all.
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