Congressman Cohen Votes for CROWN Act

Press Release

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today spoke from the House floor on the Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural (CROWN) Hair Act, that will prohibit discrimination on the basis of hair texture or styles commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. He later voted for the measure which passed the House 235 to 189.

In his floor remarks, Congressman Cohen said in part:

"No one should be deprived of equal rights under the law because of hair texture or style. It should never be the case that a person is denied the opportunity to participate in school sports or be sent home from work just because of what their hair looks like…The fact is it's discrimination and it's ignorance and African Americans have been discriminated against in many ways because of their hair style…I hope the people will rise up and vote yes with understanding other people and think beyond themselves."

See Congressman Cohen's speech here.

Congressman Cohen first dealt with discrimination regarding hair texture and braids as a Tennessee state senator and has been a consistent cosponsor of the CROWN Act.

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