New Illinois law bans ‘hairstyle discrimination’ in schools

Authored by nbcnews.com and submitted by mortuali
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois schools will be prohibited from issuing rules regarding hairstyles historically associated with race and ethnicity, such as braids and twists, under a new law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

The measure approved by the Legislature this spring and signed by Pritzker on Friday aims to end discrimination based on students’ hairstyles. It is known as the Jett Hawkins Law after Gus “Jett” Hawkins, a Black student who at age 4 was told to take out his braids because the hairstyle violated the dress code at his Chicago school.

His mother, Ida Nelson, began an awareness campaign after the incident, saying stigmatizing children’s hair can negatively affect their educational development. She called Friday’s bill signing “monumental.”

Jett Hawkins, 4, wearing braids in his hair. Ida Nelson

“For us, this is bigger than just hair. Our hair is an extension of who we are as a race and is deeply connected to our cultural identity,” Nelson said. “This is one huge step towards improving the mental health outcomes for our children, as it ensures that they will be in healthier learning environments.”

The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. Mike Simmons, a Black lawmaker who wears his hair in dreadlocks.

“Black youth in school settings shouldn’t have to be restricted by outdated and often racist dress codes that only serve to humiliate students of color who want to wear their hair in a style that honors their heritage, ancestry, and culture,” Simmons said.

The new law takes effect Jan. 1.

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kyabe2 on August 17th, 2021 at 08:54 UTC »

I had one black classmate in 4th grade. I think she was one of 3 POC in the entire year. Her mom had told the school 2 weeks in advance that she’d be missing class on Wednesday because she needed her hair done. The school threw a fit about it saying that’s not a valid reason to pull your kid out of class. The mom worked 6 days a week and only had Wednesdays off. She sat for 14 hours and got her hair braided in a protective style by her mom. Nobody, not even the teacher, really believed that it took 14 hours.

If I recall correctly, she got ISS for ‘skipping class’. Mom took it to the school district for discrimination and got it dismissed and got a formal apology.

Nekomataryo on August 17th, 2021 at 03:17 UTC »

Hairstyle discrimination shouldn't even exist...

lzzbian94 on August 17th, 2021 at 01:43 UTC »

Why is this even a thing? Why would someone discriminate over a hair style?