Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1477926
Creating inclusive professionalism T he history of our nation is riddled with laws and societal norms that equated 'blackness,' and the associated physical traits, for example, dark skin, kinky and curly hair to a badge of inferiority, sometimes subject to separate and unequal treatment. Professionalism was, and still is, closely linked to European features and mannerisms, which entrails that those who do not naturally fall into Eurocentric norms must alter their appearances, sometimes drastically and permanently, in order to be deemed professional," states the California Senate Bill 188, referred to as the CROWN Act. On July 26, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed this same CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act) into law to prohibit discrimination against employees, students, and other individuals based on their natural or protective hairstyle. While it was a great win for Black and brown communities across Massachusetts – making it the 18th state to join and enact similar protections – it created a sense of confusion surrounding the significance of the new protections. In U.S. Congress, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), called the bill trivial compared to other matters facing the country: "How about a world where gas prices aren't five dollars a gallon? … How about a world where inflation isn't at a 40-year high?" He continued, "ose are the issues we should be focused on." Unfamiliar with the historical politicization of hair, Jordan, like others critics outside of the Black and brown community, simply do not understand the detrimental impact caused by the stereotypes and biases impacting Black and brown people's ability to thrive. Black women are 80% more likely than non-Black women to say they'd had to alter their hair to fit in at PHOTO/EDD COTE e Massachusetts CROWN Act seeks to have racially and culturally diverse appearances be considered as professional as Eurocentric ones F O C U S D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N BY GISELLE RIVERA-FLORES Special to WBJ 14 Worcester Business Journal | September 5, 2022 | wbjournal.com Gina Plata-Nino, a decorated attorney from Worcester nonprofit Community Legal Aid, straightens her natural curly hair, as she was told early in her career it would look more professional. "This time period presents an opportunity for a reset and conversation, re: what a dress code is meant to present, to whom, and whom they may exclude." - Che Anderson, assistant vice chancellor for city and community relations at UMass Chan Medical School "