Bill Proposes Adding Hair to Employment Discrimination
Lincoln – The Business and Labor Committee heard testimony Feb. 3 on a bill to extend employment discrimination protections.
LB 1060, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, would expand the definition of race for purposes of employment discrimination to include traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles, including braids, locks and twists.
“African American men and women have reported that they – due to their natural hairstyles, such as dreadlocks and afro – have been unable to participate in school, sports and even maintain their employment,” Cavanaugh said.
Cynthia Gooch-Grayson of Omaha spoke in support of the proposal. Judging a person’s ability or professionalism by their hair is “unfair and absurd,” she said.
– Nebraska Unicameral Information Office
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