Kenyan Woman Sparks Groundbreaking Bill Against Hair Discrimination in Vermont- USA
A woman from Kenya residing in Vermont is poised to participate in a groundbreaking development should a proposed bill aimed at preventing discrimination based on an individual’s hair gain approval.
The woman who recounted her experience of facing discrimination because of her unique hair expressed concern that her two sons might encounter a similar situation.
She brought up the issue with her state representative, Mike Mrowicki, who has joined as a co-sponsor for a bill aiming to prevent discrimination related to an individual’s hair.
“I introduced this bill at the request of constituent Angela Lawrence, who came to the US from Kenya at age 10, later joined the US Army, and after that became the mother of 2 young boys.”
“She asked for this bill for her sons, hoping to prevent the kind of treatment all too many people of color experience in regards to their hair,” he stated.
The legislation had joint sponsorship from Mrowicki and Saudia LaMont, the latter aiming to safeguard individuals in their constituency from harassment based on their hair textures and styles.
“This bill aims to prevent an erasure and minimization of the experiences of marginalized people,” Lamont stated.
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As per the statements from the two representatives, a greater number of constituents have experienced ongoing discrimination because of their hair. Some individuals were impacted during their time in school, prompting the politicians to step in and address the issue.
Furthermore, the representatives pointed out that certain individuals among their constituents faced job rejections based on assessments of their hair’s texture, style, and type.
Therefore, they concurred that recruitment models of this nature were unjust, as deserving candidates might lose opportunities based on their physical appearances.
“The reality is that people of color are often ostracized or mistreated because of their hair. It can be as seemingly innocent as people wanting to touch it — which is an invasion of people’s space,” Mrowicki remarked.
On Wednesday, the bill was approved by the Vermont House, and Mrowicki is optimistic that the Senate will also endorse it before it reaches the governor for final approval.
If given the green light, it would broaden the scope of the anti-discrimination law, which forbids prejudice in public spaces and advocates for equitable employment opportunities.
Vermont is set to join a group of U.S. states, such as California, New York, Washington, and Texas, in preventing discrimination based on hair texture.
Kenyan Woman Sparks Groundbreaking Bill Against Hair Discrimination in Vermont- USA