SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico’s governor signed a landmark law on Wednesday prohibiting discrimination against people who wear Afros, curls, locs, twists, braids, and other natural hairstyles. This law marks a significant step towards protecting the rights of individuals in the racially diverse U.S. territory.
The legislation was warmly welcomed by advocates who have long fought for explicit protections in areas such as employment, housing, education, and public services. Welmo Romero Joseph, a community facilitator with the nonprofit organization Taller Salud, highlighted the importance of this move: “It’s a victory for generations to come. This law sends a strong message that you can reach positions of power without having to change your identity.”
While Puerto Rico’s existing laws and constitution, alongside Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, offer general protection against discrimination, a 2016 U.S. Court of Appeals ruling set a concerning precedent. The court dismissed a discrimination lawsuit, concluding that an employer’s no-dreadlock policy in Alabama did not violate Title VII. This ruling underscored the need for more explicit protections.
Earlier this year, public hearings were held by legislators in Puerto Rico, during which numerous individuals shared personal experiences of discrimination based on their hairstyles. Stories included job offers being contingent on haircuts, mirroring Romero’s own high school experience when a principal demanded he cut his flat top, despite his outstanding academic performance. “I was a 4.0 student. What did that have to do with my hair?” Romero questioned.
According to the U.S. Census, Puerto Rico, with a population of 3.2 million, includes more than 1.6 million people identifying as being of two or more races, and nearly 230,000 identifying solely as Black. The newly signed law acknowledges ongoing issues, stating, “Unfortunately, people identified as black or Afro descendant in Puerto Rico still face derogatory treatment, deprivation of opportunities, marginalization, exclusion, and all kinds of discrimination.”
Despite celebrating the new law, Romero emphasized the need for measures to ensure its enforcement. On the U.S. mainland, the CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” has been adopted by at least two dozen states. This act aims to ban race-based hair discrimination. However, implementation and enforcement vary, with some states allowing exceptions and not fully amending their education codes to protect students.
A federal version of the CROWN Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022 but failed in the Senate. In May, Democratic lawmakers reintroduced the legislation, hoping for broader support and passage.
The new law in Puerto Rico represents a significant milestone in the fight against hair-based discrimination, highlighting the ongoing efforts needed to ensure equality and respect for natural hairstyles across all areas of life.