Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (D-Hudson) issued the following statement Thursday in response to U.S. Senate Republicans blocking the passage of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair or CROWN Act:
“Any opposition to this legislation is truly disheartening. Being able to wear your hair in the state in which it grows from your head should be a basic right for all people, regardless of race.
“I’m disappointed that we even have to have this conversation while so many African Americans still face discrimination at school or work because of how they choose to wear their hair. Whether they are embracing their natural curls or wearing their hair in braids or deadlocks, people deserve to be free from prejudice and discrimination.
“Blocking legislation that offers people of color protection against hair discrimination is unacceptable.”
Assemblywoman McKnight is the sponsor of legislation establishing the Crown Act in New Jersey, signed into law in December 2019.