New York City Bans Discrimination Against Black Hair; Your Racism Can Cost You $250K

With the country’s divide increasing due to fear mongering and blatant lies from white mediocrity and a racist administration, this is a positive change, in a major way, for New York City.

It may seem inconsequential to many who have not faced discrimination because of the style or texture of their hair, but this will provide more opportunities for New Yorkers who were previously denied access because their hair styles were deemed “too Black” or “ethnic”.

On Monday, the New York City Commission on Human Rights announced the new standard. It’s primarily targeted at people of color, as the guidelines protect New Yorkers’ right to wear “natural hair, treated or untreated hairstyles such as locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, fades, Afros, and/or the right to keep hair in an uncut or untrimmed state.” The new change grants those who have experienced harassment or discrimination because of their natural hair the opportunity to take legal action against individuals in violation of the new guidelines for up to $250,000, and the commission can step in and change internal policies and rehirings if necessary.

“There’s nothing keeping us from calling out these policies prohibiting natural hair or hairstyles most closely associated with black people,” Carmelyn P. Malalis, the commissioner and chairwoman of the New York City Commission on Human Rights, told the New York Times. “They are based on racist standards of appearance,” and “racist stereotypes that say black hairstyles are unprofessional or improper.”

The new policy will protect individuals in public accommodations, including restaurants and other businesses, as well as in workplaces and at private and public schools, where discrimination is frequent.

h/t Elle

This is a policy which needs to become law and help with the minimization of systematic racism in this country.

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