Discrimination based on hair texture in the United States

In the United States, discrimination based on hair texture is a form of social injustice that has been predominantly experienced by African Americans and predates the founding of the country.

[5] By the late 1800s, African American women were straightening their hair to meet a Eurocentric vision of society with the use of hot combs and other products improved by Madam C. J. Walker.

[8] In 1976, the federal court case Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance determined that afros were protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

[9] Because of awareness to the issue, California passed the Crown Act in July 2019, becoming the first U.S. state to prohibit discrimination against workers and students based on their natural hair.

In May 2024, by a unanimous voice vote within both houses of the New Hampshire General Court (Legislature) passed a bill prohibiting discrimination based upon hairstyle - the 25th/50 US state to do so.