Puerto Rico’s Governor Passes Hair Discrimination Legislation

Puerto Rico’s governor, Pedro Pierluisi, signed a brand new legislation prohibiting discrimination in opposition to individuals sporting Afros, curls, locs, twists, braids, and different pure hairstyles.

The Related Press reviews that this transfer was made to guard residents from discrimination in work, housing, training, and public companies.

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Puerto Rico Passes Hair Discrimination Legislation

Residents within the racially various U.S. territory celebrated progress after a number of organizations have pushed for the legislation.

Welmo Romero Joseph, a neighborhood facilitator for the non-profit Taller Salud, mentioned, “It’s a victory for generations to return.”

We all know that’s proper! He believes this sends an uplifting message that “you may attain positions of energy with out having to vary your id.”

Though Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects in opposition to discrimination, together with Puerto Rico’s legal guidelines and structure, the desk was shaken in 2016 when a Court docket of Appeals dismissed a hair discrimination lawsuit. An Alabama employer’s no-dreadlock coverage was dominated authorized.

Puerto Rican legislators held a public listening to earlier this 12 months. A number of residents defined how they confronted hair discrimination. They described employers who refused to rent people with pure hair.

Romero recalled a highschool principal demanding that he lower his flat high off that “was a supply of pleasure.” He defined that he was a stellar pupil with a “4.0” GPA  and that his coiffure ought to have been irrelevant.

The Caribbean island has a inhabitants of three.2 million, with 230,000 figuring out solely as Black. In accordance with the brand new legislation, they nonetheless “face derogatory therapy.” Moreover, 1.6 million individuals establish as being of two or extra races. So, one might think about the varied hair textures of the residents!

Romero, specifically, is reportedly grateful for the legislation. Nonetheless, he says officers ought to take measures to make sure the laws has an impact, per AP.

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AP workers Dánica Coto contributed to this text.