A new bill in Montpelier aims to prevent racial discrimination based on hair types, textures, and styles. If passed, Vermont would become the 24th state in the country with a law like this.”People don’t realize that discrimination still happens and it still exists,” said Rep. Saudia LaMont, a Democrat from Lamoille-Washington and a co-sponsor of the bill.She said that for many people, hair is a tool used to show who we are. But for some, it’s a tool used against them. “People have been discriminated against because of various reasons, including their hair,” said LaMont. “People have been denied jobs, they’ve been fired from jobs, not allowed to participate in sports, etcetera.”The bill was passed by the House in January and is now being considered in the Senate as a step to protect self-expression in the Green Mountain State.”For me, hair is the first thing you see when you see Jessica,” said Jessica Anderson, a hairstylist at Diversity Salon. Anderson wears her hair in an afro.She said that growing up in Vermont, she didn’t see many examples of diverse hairstyles as a kid.”I didn’t really get a lot of example of what I should look like as a Black person, even though I saw a lot of the presentation being straight hair and blond hair and nobody really was rocking the braids or the afro and things like that,” said Anderson.She believes that legislation like this could serve as an inspiration for young people of color.”It’ll give them hope for the future that everyone and anything is allowed as long as it’s self-expression to a certain level,” said Anderson.The bill is now with the Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs, but LaMont is hoping that it won’t stay there for long.”Please just leave it intact and let’s move it right along, because it’s simple,” said LaMont. “It’s the simplest thing that can have the most profound impact.”If passed, this session, the law would go into effect on July 1, 2024.
A new bill in Montpelier aims to prevent racial discrimination based on hair types, textures, and styles.
If passed, Vermont would become the 24th state in the country with a law like this.
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“People don’t realize that discrimination still happens and it still exists,” said Rep. Saudia LaMont, a Democrat from Lamoille-Washington and a co-sponsor of the bill.
She said that for many people, hair is a tool used to show who we are. But for some, it’s a tool used against them.
“People have been discriminated against because of various reasons, including their hair,” said LaMont. “People have been denied jobs, they’ve been fired from jobs, not allowed to participate in sports, etcetera.”
The bill was passed by the House in January and is now being considered in the Senate as a step to protect self-expression in the Green Mountain State.
“For me, hair is the first thing you see when you see Jessica,” said Jessica Anderson, a hairstylist at Diversity Salon. Anderson wears her hair in an afro.
She said that growing up in Vermont, she didn’t see many examples of diverse hairstyles as a kid.
“I didn’t really get a lot of example of what I should look like as a Black person, even though I saw a lot of the presentation being straight hair and blond hair and nobody really was rocking the braids or the afro and things like that,” said Anderson.
She believes that legislation like this could serve as an inspiration for young people of color.
“It’ll give them hope for the future that everyone and anything is allowed as long as it’s self-expression to a certain level,” said Anderson.
The bill is now with the Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs, but LaMont is hoping that it won’t stay there for long.
“Please just leave it intact and let’s move it right along, because it’s simple,” said LaMont. “It’s the simplest thing that can have the most profound impact.”
If passed, this session, the law would go into effect on July 1, 2024.
