Nadia E. Brown and Danielle Casarez Lemi
- Published in print:
- 2021
- Published Online:
- May 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780197540572
- eISBN:
- 9780197540619
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780197540572.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
This chapter traces the historical development of the politics of Black women’s appearances in the United States by assessing the sociological, political, and legal forces that have built the ...
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This chapter traces the historical development of the politics of Black women’s appearances in the United States by assessing the sociological, political, and legal forces that have built the political opportunity structure for Black women politicians. The chapter presents a thorough overview of Afro-textured hair and Black protective hairstyles to provide a primer on why Black (women’s) hair is political. Through a case study of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, it examines how New Jersey state lawmakers successfully passed legislation to end hair discrimination. In this chapter, we make a connection to contemporary policy and how Black women lawmakers bring uncrystallized issues to legislative bodies.Less
This chapter traces the historical development of the politics of Black women’s appearances in the United States by assessing the sociological, political, and legal forces that have built the political opportunity structure for Black women politicians. The chapter presents a thorough overview of Afro-textured hair and Black protective hairstyles to provide a primer on why Black (women’s) hair is political. Through a case study of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, it examines how New Jersey state lawmakers successfully passed legislation to end hair discrimination. In this chapter, we make a connection to contemporary policy and how Black women lawmakers bring uncrystallized issues to legislative bodies.
