A bill to outlaw discrimination against traits associated with race — including hair texture and related styles like locs, braids, and twists — became Michigan law today.
Supporters of the new law, knwon as the "CROWN Act," say hair discrimination is racial discrimination by a different name.
Democratic state Senator Sarah Anthony says it's been allowed to continue for too long.
"Now, 2019, again, we introduced the first CROWN act. It was sent to the legislative graveyard, and they told us, 'You are crazy.' They laughed us out of rooms, they told us we were ridiculous. But we introduced it again. And introduced it again," she says.
Several other states have either passed a version of the CROWN Act or introduced legislation for it.
Michigan's law passed with wide bipartisan support. Opponents question whether its language is too broad.
