Title
An Ordinance, known as the C.R.O.W.N. Act, creating Section 2-31.1 of the Code of Ordinances to declare natural hair texture, style, and protective coverings as a protected characteristic of race and national origin in order to prohibit discrimination based on these characteristics. [Council Office, Maynard]
Body
WHEREAS, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Code of Ordinances Chapter 2, Article II adopts the provisions of state law protecting all individuals in Lexington-Fayette County from discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and housing on the basis of race and national origin; and
WHEREAS, bans or restrictions on natural hair or hairstyles exacerbate anti-Black bias in employment, at school, while playing sports, and in other areas of daily living; and
WHEREAS, research has found that 70 percent of all suspension disciplines are discretionary. Specifically, Black students are more likely to be suspended for discretionary reasons such as dress code or long hair violations, neither of which have been found to be predictive of student misconduct. (Brookings Institute, "Penalizing Black hair in the name of academic success is undeniably racist, unfounded, and against the law," Feb. 23, 2011); and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair coalition (C.R.O.W.N.) is to prohibit race-based hair discrimination through the adoption of legislation commonly known as C.R.O.W.N. acts, which institute definitions of race and national origin inclusive of a person's hair texture, style, color, and head coverings; and
WHEREAS, the Urban County Council desires to recognize that a person's hair texture, style, color and head coverings are protected characteristics of race and national origin, subject to the protections of state and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race and national origin.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE LEXINGT...
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