Hair discrimination will presently be viewed as racial discrimination in New York City
New York City has prohibited discrimination based on hair, officials have announced.
The new guidelines, discharged by the city Human Rights Commission, were first detailed by The New York Times, which says the guidelines are the first of their kind to be introduced in the nation.
As indicated by The Times, the advised law applies to “natural hair, treated or untreated hairstyles such as locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, fades, Afros, and/or the right to keep hair in an uncut or untrimmed state” and depends on the “argument that hair is inherent to one’s race”.
Under the law, any discrimination somebody’s hair or hairstyle at work, school, or out in the public places will presently be viewed as racial discrimination, and victims of such discrimination will be able to seek damages.
Furthermore, those found infringing upon the law face penalties up to $250,000.
The law is intended to ensure all New Yorkers, yet explicitly dark Americans who regularly face discrimination on the basis of “racial stereotypes that say black hairstyles are unprofessional or improper,” as indicated by chief and director of chairwoman of the New York City Commission on Human Rights, Carmelyn P Malalis.
Malalis further explained the new law to BuzzFeed News, telling the site: “Hair is a part of you, and as such we want to make sure that people can express themselves.”
Hair nets can at present be required, as long as they are required by everybody.
The guidelines will go into effect later this week.
