Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, my great home State of Louisiana is where the tignon laws originated. These laws mandated that Black women of Louisiana cover their beautiful hair, making it illegal to expose our hair. Imagine that. All Americans should have the right to wear their hair that naturally grows out of their heads without fear. We, as Members of Congress, must act to ban any discrimination against natural hair. Whether it is locs, curls, braids, or twists, Black Americans have the right to exist as their authentic selves and wear their natural hair with pride. The CROWN Act would give and defend the right by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of hair texture or hairstyle in employment, education, and several other important spheres. This legislation has been heavily vetted and has already been passed in several States. I am proud to have authored in advance the CROWN Act as a member of the Louisiana State Senate, but not complete the process before I was elected to Congress. This is particularly special for me. For the people of Louisiana and for people across the Nation, Federal action is needed. Studies show that 80 percent of Black women feel they have to change their hairstyles to simply fit in to the workplace, that natural hair is somehow unprofessional. This is unacceptable. I am calling on this Chamber to do the right thing, that all elected officials stand up and do what is right by the people of America.…”