>> I did wanna also ask you about another project that you've worked on recently though, and that
is the Crown Act. Can you tell us about that? >> Absolutely, thank you for asking the question,
it is something that I'm extremely proud of.
So essentially what the The Crown Act does it is provides protection for citizens.
And people to ensure that they can wear their hair in a way that is consistent with who they are,
their own identity. People think that protection for our hair is covered under
the current classification of race, but it is not. So what The Crown Act does is it,
again acknowledges that race is a social construct, but that racism is very real.
And so in these different states that we've worked to pass the bill in. We said, well,
whatever you think race is, amend the definition of race to include the traits
historically associated with it such as hair and hair texture. So whether your hair is natural
like mine is today but blown out or if you're in a rocking braids, twist locks, bantu knots.
For example, your right to rock your crown however you see,
that is protected. We know that far too many students
have missed valuable instruction time and school time for their decision to wear their hair that
is consistent with who they are. And their own cultural pride because of these unjust rules.
And so again, this movement is about not just shifting culture but also shifting
policy and The Crown Act does just that. >> So we on the show, we talked about a
lot of issues and I tried to understand different sides of the issues. What the other side of this?
I mean, obviously, the discrimination exists. So clearly there are people who are opposed to it.
But when you go into a state and you try to pass this,
what's the argument against that? >> The argument is or has been and
I whether or not it's valid, you can sort of flip a coin on that front.
The argument is some people think that our hair is not clean. So the old racist,
and in many ways sexist tropes that we've seen are part of this argument. And they'll argue
that we shouldn't be able to wear our hair in ways that we desire
because it's against safety regulations which this bill does not touch.
So OSHA Trump's no pun intended, all The Crown Act itself because if you're working in an industry
that requires you to wear a hairnet, then you wear a hairnet. But you can wear a hairnet
with your braids or with your locks or with your twist. So there is no valid argument for why
you shouldn't provide protection and prohibit discrimination based on the the issue of hair.
There is no valid argument but some think that you won't fit into the, quote unquote
culture of a particular industry. If you wear your hair in ways that people
don't necessarily understand or think are deemed professional, so we are challenging all of that.
We are challenging the fact that there are very eurocentric standards of beauty.
We are arguing on behalf of the coalition that the Africa stetic must be lifted for
far too long. It has not been black public opinion that has informed public policy.
And so we are working to change all of that, again to shift both culture and policy. We have seen
students be told that they could not participate in their graduation exercises with their friends.
Based on the idea that you wear your hair that is consistent with cultural pride. We saw a student
wrestler who would earn the right to participate in the wrestling match. Based on talent be told
that you have to make a decision that no student should ever have to make right on the spot.
Have your identity attacked in your locker cut or forfeit a match that you would earn the right
to participate in. We saw another students sent home in tears because you had beautiful braids
that were deemed a violation of school rules. So we cannot have that, we cannot create school
climates and cultures that are not conducive to what we are asking our students to actually do.
Which is to thrive and learn and be his or her best self, based on rules where you show
up and you're told that you're wrong. Based on oftentimes how your hair grows out of its head,
it just doesn't make any sense and we're seeking to write that wrong.
>> Wow, my inclination is to say I recall that the act of passing in California
where we're located, is that correct? >> It's law in seven states,
but it's passed in eight legislators, one governor opted to veto the bill. But it has
passed in California, it's passed in New Jersey, and New York, and Maryland, and then Virginia.
And I'm working in so many states to help pass the law. So I will not stop until it
is illegal to discriminate against people based on their hair texture and styles
across the country. >> Awesome, well,
look I can't thank you enough for joining us on the show and lending your expertise.
And, by the way as we go forward, we obviously there's some hopes and aspirations for what
the Biden Harris administration can accomplish. I would love to hear your
thoughts as we move forward with that. >> Thank you so much for having me,
whenever you have me again, I'll be back.
>> Thank you so much