CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Senators hope to end discrimination based on hair texture after a new bill cleared a Senate hurdle.
Lawmakers comprising the 34th Legislature’s Committee on Rules and Judiciary took a “significant step” towards passing anti-discrimination legislation according to Senator Alma Francis Heyliger, who sponsored the proposal known as the Virgin Islands Crown Act (Bill No. 34-0147).
The Virgin Islands CROWN Act seeks to amend Title 10, chapter 1, sections 2 and 3 and Title 17, chapter
3 of the V.I. Code. Bill No. 0147 would create a legal association of a person’s hair texture to their race
under the V.I. Code and prohibits employers and educational institutions from excluding individuals from
participation based on natural hair texture. Protective styles used to maintain hair texture which is tightly coiled or tightly curled includes but are not limited to: braids, locks, twists, cornrows, bantu knots, Afros, and other styles.
“No type of discrimination should ever exist within our society,” Senator Francis Heyliger said on the Senate floor. “Especially when it comes to anything that is God-given.”
Senator Francis Heyliger expressed appreciation for the supporters of the Virgin Islands CROWN Act and the votes of her Senate colleagues. As the bill now moves forward to the full body of the Territory’s
representatives, Sen. Francis Heyliger stated that she looks forward to the passage of the VI Crown Act.
“Far too often we hear stories about individuals that missed out on job opportunities, or promotions, or were excluded from participating in academic activities on the basis of their hair texture, something they were born with, something they did not choose, something that is God-given,” said Senator Francis Heyliger with regards to the passage of the Virgin Islands CROWN Act. “This legislation is absolutely imperative towards protecting the advancement of a large population of this Territory that may not want to straighten their hair using caustic chemicals just so they can earn an income or gain an education.”
With its passage from the Senate Committee on Rules and Judiciary, Senator Francis Heyliger said she hopes to rally further support for the measure and bring attention to the pervasive effects of this type of
discrimination has on citizens of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
There is no existing federal law that prohibits this form of discrimination, but there have been legislative proposals to do so.
In the 21st century, multiple states and local governments have passed laws that prohibit such discrimination, California being the first state to do so in 2019 with the Crown Act.