BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – The Beckley Common Council unanimously voted in favor of the Beckley CROWN Ordinance during its second and final reading Tuesday evening.
As council read the ordinance and voted on the issue, a large group made up of members of the community sat outside the mayor’s office in support.
Those who have actively supported the ordinance since it was first introduced to council, including Beckley Human Rights Commission (HRC) Chair Danielle Stewart and HRC member Dr. Kristi Dumas, participated in the public hearings again on Tuesday to further advocate for the ordinance. Stewart and Dumas were joined by several others who also voiced their support.
The passing of the Beckley CROWN Ordinance will amend Chapter 10, Article IV, Section 10-400 of the City of Beckley’s Human Right’s Ordinance to provide specific protection for natural hairstyles,” such as braids, twists, locks, etc. The City of Beckley defines “natural hairstyles” as hairstyles with a history that is associated with a part of that particular race.
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BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – During Tuesday evening’s regular meeting, the Beckley Common Council approved the first reading of the Beckley CROWN Ordinance.
City Attorney Bill File read the ordinance, which “amends the City of Beckley’s Human Rights Ordinance to provide specific protection for natural hairstyles,” such as braids, twists, locks, etc. The City of Beckley defines “natural hairstyles” as hairstyles with a history that is associated with a part of that particular race, according to File.
By amending the ordinance, the City of Beckley will alter the definition of discrimination based on race to include discrimination against hair texture.
No member of council made any comments concerning the CROWN Act; however, several Beckley residents took part in the public comments section of the meeting to voice their support.
While some called to tell of their personal struggles with wearing natural hair, and being looked down upon for it, others called simply to act as an advocate and show members of council that there are those in Beckley who support the CROWN Act.
A second and final reading of the CROWN Ordinance will be held on Tuesday, May 11. A public hearing will also be held on the May 11 meeting.
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BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – Nearly one dozen community members- those who have personally experienced discrimination in regard to their natural hair and those who have not but simply wish to be advocates for change- took part in the Beckley Common Council meeting Tuesday and vocalized their support for the CROWN Act.
The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” was formed by Dove and the CROWN Coalition in 2019.
Since its creation, the CROWN Act has become law in eight states. In 2020, 25 states, including West Virginia, considered but did not pass the CROWN Act.
Although the state of West Virginia did not pass the act into law, the City of Morgantown recently passed its own CROWN Act, which affirms the city’s support against hair discrimination in the workplace.
Beckley Human Rights Commission (HRC) Chair Danielle Stewart and HRC member Dr. Kristi Dumas first approached Council in March asking for the City of Beckley to adopt an ordinance similar to Morgantown.
During the meeting, Dr. Dumas shared that Black women are 4.5 times more likely to be sent home from their workplace due to their hair and people of color are 80 percent more likely to feel like they must change their hair from its natural state in order to fit in at their place of work.
According to Dr. Dumas, hair discrimination affects more than 25 percent of people in the Beckley area.
In the few short weeks since the Human Rights Commission initiated the conversation about hair discrimination, City Hall has received numerous calls from the public asking Beckley to adopt the ordinance, according to Mayor Rob Rappold.
Those who spoke during Tuesday’s meeting included Stewart, Dr. Dumas, Vice President of the West Virginia chapter of the NAACP Katanya Hart, and other human rights activists.
Stewart spoke of how one Beckley professional came forward, stating that she had damaged her naturally curly hair nearly beyond repair after she was given the ultimatum to straighten it every day for work or lose her job.
Another Beckley resident came forward, explaining that, while she had never been the victim of hair discrimination, she couldn’t imagine what she would do if she were told to alter her natural hair to retain her employment.
One woman told Council that she only recently started her natural hair journey after experiencing hair discrimination in the workplace and fearing what would happen if she didn’t fit into society’s standards.
“This is real, and this is happening now,” Stewart said. “We need to demonstrate with firm intent that this city accepts diversity.”
Both Dr. Dumas and Hart said their respective groups were ready, willing and excited to collaborate with the Beckley Common Council as council members continue to understand the ordinance.
During the meeting, Mayor Rob Rappold stated that he is in favor of the intent of the wording of the proposed ordinance and announced that Council will participate in a workshop on Monday, April 26, to further discuss the topic and what the ordinance entails.
A reading of the CROWN ordinance will appear on the agenda for the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, April 27. If approved, the ordinance will be placed on the agenda again on May 11 for a second reading. If the second reading is approved, the ordinance will be adopted.
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BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – As the Beckley Common Council meeting opened for public comments Tuesday evening, Beckley Human Rights Commission (HRC) Chair Danielle Stewart called in, urging the city to pass the CROWN Act- an ordinance that prohibits race-based hair discrimination.
The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” was formed by Dove and the CROWN Coalition in 2019.
Since its creation, the CROWN Act has become law in eight states. In 2020, 25 states, including West Virginia, considered but did not pass the CROWN Act.
Although the state of West Virginia did not pass the act into law, the City of Morgantown recently passed its own CROWN Act, which affirms the city’s support against hair discrimination in the workplace.
While addressing Council, Stewart cited how West Virginia’s House of Delegates refused to take the bill to vote during last year’s session and again during this year’s legislative term.
Stewart called this a “failure of the state” and asked the Beckley Common Council to amend its local ordinance to allow protections against individuals with ethnic hair.
Following Stewart, HRC member Dr. Kristi Dumas also addressed Council asking them to pass the ordinance.
“People of color get judged, based on their hair texture and protective styles like braids, locks and twists, that are inherent to Black culture,” Dr. Dumas said.
She continued, mentioning the Woodrow Wilson High School athlete who was asked to cut his hair in order to continue playing sports.
“Men and women of color continue to receive judgment. They shouldn’t have to fit into corporate spaces.”
According to Dr. Dumas, who admitted that she was once part of the statistic, Black women are 4.5 times more likely to be sent home from their workplace due to their hair and people of color are 80 percent more likely to feel like they must change their hair from its natural state in order to fit in at their place of work.
“This affects more than 25 percent of people in our area. Stand with the Human Rights Commission and do what has not been done at a state level and pass the Beckley CROWN ordinance,” Dr. Dumas stated, adding that Beckley has a history of fighting for human rights.
The City of Beckley last amended its local ordinance in 2019 to include a nondiscrimination ordinance that added “sexual orientation” and “gender identification” to the list of the city’s legally protected classes.”
