Banning hair discrimination in the workplace. California has done it! Article published on 4 July 2019 on the website of the newspaper Le Monde.fr in collaboration with Agence France Presse.

This law, which will come into force on 1 January 2020, allows the wearing of afro cuts, braids or dreadlocks at school or in the workplace.

Californians will no longer be refused a job because of their hair. On Wednesday 3 July, the Golden State became the first American state to ban racial discrimination based on hair. A law allows afro hair, dreadlocks or braids to be worn in schools or in the workplace. New York City passed similar legislation earlier this year.

Drafted by Los Angeles Democratic Senator Holly Mitchell, the law was passed unanimously by both California houses. It will therefore come into force on 1 January 2020.

"She protects the right of Californians to wear their hair natural. She, who frequently wears micro braids. For us, it's a symbol of who we are. "When I did dreadlocks fifteen years ago, I also knew it was a political statement.

According to the text, hair remains a widespread cause of racial discrimination with serious economic and health consequences. It can no longer be used as a reason for refusing a job, housing, etc. Employers will still be able to enforce certain health and safety regulations. Only if they are not discriminatory.

A high school student's dreadlocks created controversy

Going back to the basis of this law, the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, recalled the story of a high school student from New Jersey. A referee had forced him to cut his dreadlocks if he wanted to take part in a competition. Otherwise, he would have to forfeit the competition.

According to the Huffington Post, the rules of New Jersey's high school wrestling tournaments require short hair. It does, however, allow for wrestling helmets that fully cover long hair. An alternative that was apparently not left to the young man.

The teenager had a choice between "losing a sporting event and losing his identity," Newsome lamented. "It happens in the workplace, it happens in schools, it doesn't just happen in sports competitions, it happens every day all over America, veiled or blatant.

Ban on hair discrimination at work. An article from Le Monde in collaboration with Agence France Presse. A reproduction by Lisah Sandström of Dreads Expert .

Interested in similar articles? Read the article below. You can also find it on my blog.

I also advise you to do some conditioning four times a year . This will make your locks more beautiful and stronger. I also recommend that you do the first maintenance of your dreadlocks two months after their creation.

In addition, to maintain your dreads, I recommend the products of the Danish brand Raw Roots. You can also find them on the website Dreadheadshop.

Follow me on my social networks (Facebook, Pinterest , Instagram and Youtube ) ! You will discover all my creations. You will also be informed of the latest articles published on my blog.

And don't forget:

  • Do you want to know me? Then find out who I am is !
  • Do you want to wear dreadlocks? Contact me for a creation !
  • Looking for information about dreads? Then check out my blog !
  • Are you looking for inspiration for your locks project? Visit my gallery gallery of creations! You will certainly find a model that will appeal to you.