Just In: Rand Paul Blocks Cory Booker'S Bill Confronting Hairstyle Discrimination
- Posted on 14 December, 2022
- Hair Styling
- By Anonymous
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) blocks the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2022, put forward by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).
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Senator from New Jersey, I ask as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged. Is this reading this first um uh from further consideration of H.R 2116 and the Senate proceeds to its immediate consideration further, that the bill be considered. Read a third time and passed on the motion before I do this, sir, I would like to just read a brief statement. If I may, Mr President, thank you um. I I'm really proud to be New Jersey's Junior Senator uh, even more so I'm proud that I've called Newark my home for most of my adult life. I can talk about my community for weeks, and I know the president and presiding officers heard me talk about Newark for some time. It'S an incredible Community where we do not mistake, wealth with worth. We know the value of goodness and decency, and a lot of my members of my community in the city of Newark are black and brown folks and the special relationship they often have to their hair, to notes uh, deep cultural Traditions. You go to my city right now and you'll find hairstyles from different types, locks, cornrows, twists, braids, bantu knots and, of course, what I once had. Mr President, afros you will find barber shops and hair salons a plenty that are dedicated to the upkeep of these beautiful hairstyles. One of my favorite things to do is to go to barber shops to sit in community with folks and connect. I can write almost a dissertation, probably sir right now about the role of barber shops in black and brown communities. They are incredible Community cultural convenings, but I also want to say it's not always a source of Joy. At times the conversations turn to a deep source of hurt and pain. There'S a decades-long, problematic practice of discrimination against Natural Hair. In this country it was brought to the Forefront in 2018, when a New Jersey student named Andrew Johnson was forced to cut his dreadlocks in the middle of a wrestling match. The entire ordeal was caught on camera and, as the scissors are brought out to cut Andrew's hair, you can see the Deep hurt and pain on the face of this young man. It'S the pain felt by many traumatic at times, hurtful experiences that make you question your very belonging in a community, the beauty of your hair, its natural style, your immutable characteristics, your cultural beliefs, your connection to your heritage, no person in America should have to deal with This pain and that's why I stand here today urging this body to pass legislation that is dear to my community's heart dear to communities all across the country. It'S named the creating a respectful and open world for natural hair act, otherwise known as the crown Act. This bill is ultimately a matter of Justice. Hair discrimination is real. It'S continuing and a pernicious problem for black and brown people in our country. It can lead to Lost employment opportunities, it can lead to violations of students, civil rights. In short, it forces people to change parts of their very being so as to avoid harassment or punishment. A recent study from Michigan State University found that black women are 50 percent. More likely to be sent home from the workplace because of their hair and 80 of black women feel the need to change their hair from its natural state to fit in at the office. Another study from Duke University found that black women with natural hairstyles are less likely to land job interviews than white women or black women with straightened hair. Many students, other than Andrew, have had their civil rights violated. They'Ve had there have been cases in schools which have changed their dress code, mid-year to place restrictions on hairstyles, targeting black students with locks and expelling them from school when they refuse to cut their hair and with all existing law, prohibits some forms of hair discrimination. As a tip type of racial or natural or or national origin, discrimination, federal courts at times have narrowly construed this protection in a way that has allowed schools, workplaces and other Federal institutions to discriminate against people of African descent who wear certain types of natural or even Protective hairstyles and that's where the crown act comes in this Common Sense, pragmatic piece of legislation is necessary. This legislation just clarifies the Discrimination based on a hair, texture or hairstyle that is commonly associated with a particular race or natural origin, including hair that is tightly coiled or tightly curled locks. Cornrows twists, braids, bantu knots and afros is prohibited as a prohibited form of discrimination. Since the moment I first introduced the crown act with members of the Congressional Black Caucus who I am grateful for their work and Leadership. We'Ve worked to build more support in the house. This bill passed with broad bipartisan support because of the strength of the lead of my colleague and friend, from New Jersey, congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Here in the Senate, Senator Collins has signed on to the bill, making it a bipartisan effort and it's an effort that replicates what has already been done in 19 States, so-called blue states such as mine or California, to so-called red States like Nebraska, Tennessee and Louisiana. At its core, the crown Act is a common sense policy. It is legislation that further protects the civil rights of Americans, but on a more profound and deeper level, it is a celebration of what makes up the wonderful fabric of our nation, the rich cultural diversity and the connections people have to their very identity. We know the significance that hair plays for the communities that make up the diverse American fabric for black folks. Hair is rooted in stories of strength and resistance. During the time of slavery in Colombia, Hair Braiding was used to relay messages, including as a way to signal that one wanted to escape the Lash of bondage. As one person eloquently described, the hair of black women is a crown that tells a story story of struggle. Triumph pain, pride and comfort, the crown act as a chance for us to make sure that story and the stories of so many other cultures are told a chance to make sure that those stories aren't punished but become more of an integral part of the larger American Story: it's a chance to make sure that those stories aren't stigmatized to the point that some have to make the difficult decision to change their natural hair, just to have a chance to land a job, to succeeded school or to escape discrimination. Overall, this is a chance for us to make for a more perfect union to bend the Ark of the nation just a little bit more towards Justice to end another chapter, another area of deplorable discrimination, which is why today, I asked for unanimous consent to pass the Crown Act, and so I guess, as in legislative session, I now ask for unanimous content that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R 2116 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. Further that the bill be considered red a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. Is there objection? Mr President, the senator from Kentucky reserving the right to object. We all agree that racial discrimination is not only wrong but illegal. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other Federal statutes prohibit discrimination, discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin. The Supreme Court found, in the 1973 case, McDonnell Douglas Corporation versus green, that using a pre-textual reason as a cover for discrimination, is a violation of federal civil rights law. Subsequently, the protections sought by this bill are already provided for in federal law using hairstyle as a pretext for racial discrimination is already illegal, but there is reason to believe that this bill is not ready for enactment. When the house Judiciary Committee considered this legislation, some members questioned whether this legislation would prevent certain hairstyles and lengths out of concern that they may hinder a workplace safety or the ability to perform certain critical functions of the job. For example, employers may require certain hairstyles so that personal protective equipment properly protects the wearer. Many questions remain unanswered about whether this bill would prevent employers from imposing race neutral standards such as maintaining a hairstyle that makes it difficult to become caught in Machinery. On a factory floor or the ability to properly wear a helmet at a construction site, this bill would make workers less safe, make it more difficult to start a business and provide jobs and almost certainly result in expensive litigation and overburdened reports. Object. Objection is heard if I'd like to say a couple things. I appreciate you from New Jersey. Thank you very much for the recognition. Mr President, the pros outing officer, I I really heard the point about workplace safety. This bill does not prohibit employers from addressing safety concerns. Instead, it accounts for employers, legal obligation to ensure workplace safety written in the bill. Section 6B of the bill expressly prohibits that the employment non-discrimination provision shall be enforced in the same manner and by the same means, including with the same jurisdiction as if subsection was incorporated into Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.. In other words, employers will be no more burdened by this bill than they are under the current employment discrimination law. Under the long-standing burden, shifting scheme applied by the courts entitled seven cases, the employer May defeat a discrimination Claim by asserting the workplace safety as a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for taking adverse employment action against an employee with a burden then shifting to the employee to prove that The asserted reason was a pretext rediscrimination, so this is addressed, and I appreciate that, but, as was passed in a boldly bipartisan way, it was shown to be incorporated that concern in the bill itself. Again. This is something that has been passed in States like Tennessee and Louisiana. This has been shown to have wide bipartisan support. It'S shown to be needed in the federal context and I'm hoping that we through continued deliberations, can actually get that past. Mr President, if I may have a leave to say one more thing, thank you very much. Mr President, I'd like to just wish you a Merry Christmas to the presiding officer. I appreciate the cheer and Goodwill that is in this chamber and I look forward to Happy
Comments
Aeolian Harp: The fact this is being debated in the Senate shows how far we have sunk
Danny Holland: When you can spend time addressing the importance of hairstyles, you have no real problems that effect you.
jackiecp1021: I wish Booker would put this much effort into securing our border.
jeffrey loftus: And this ladies and gentlemen is what Brandon calls "more important issues" unbelievable.
Tanya Erskine: This is what our elected officials are squandering our tax dollars on??? We're so toast.
Unapologetic Great Grandma: This is one of the most absurd things I have heard out of anyone in Congress. God help us in America
J316 Ministries: It’s a shame that they put forth such absurd foolishness such as Booker tried here.
Carolyn Jones: This man needs a life if he thinks this is America's most pressing problem
Marianne Tandon: Another example, with Raphael Warnock and John Festermann, of why the Senate is now an utter joke.
bobothree: I cannot remember another example of a Senator who wanted to break the law but could not figure out how to do it.” - Victor Davis Hanson Regarding Corry Booker's failed "I am Spartacus" shenanigans during Kavanaugh hearing.. This legislation is just too stupid for the U.S. Senate to consider.
bessie vest: Why should this be even discussed in DC?? AREN'T THERE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO? WHAT ABOUT ALL THE HOMELESS, MENTALLY ILL, THE ELDERLY AND THESE SANCTUARY CITIES, THE BORDER? REALLY? This is where our taxpayer money goes??
Bryan Suver: So now they want to legislate hairstyles. We have lost it in this country.
Jesse Yeager: Did he seriously call hairstyle an "immutable characteristic"? It is literally THE most mutable physical characteristic a person has.
GotEm: I wonder if Corey Booker has made any attempt to make legislation for fashion designers to no longer have children in sexual portrayal such as Balenciaga. Naw let’s go for legislation for hair styles. We see where your values at at Corey Booker
Rick Murphy: I'm so thankful that our esteemed Senators are focusing on such critical issues as hair styles. This will attack inflation at its very core.
Nicholas Mali: "Hairstyle Discrimination" bill, I guess you can expect this type of bill being drafted by an ex-mayor whose city was once the worse city in America while he was the mayor!
Dave Blagrove: With everything going on in this country!!! Really!!!!!
Gigi: Is this what Biden ment by "more important issues" then border security; hair styles? Really?
Nolan Wilson: Seriously.... A bill about hair...... politicians have taken to human race back many steps
Teresa Miller: I can feel the breeze from our tax dollars blowing by in the wind.
Dread Pirate Elwood: This is about the level Booker is competent in dealing with.
nomnom yam: irony of a bald guy trying to make a law about hairstyle.... redundant too - like rand said, we already have law that encompass cory's concern.
D M: Just what we need to have our representatives work on; Hair styles. Maybe we can enact a bill that you can't come into the united states unless you are bald. That would make it easier to locate illegal aliens. The current government is just trying to get as much crap passed as possible because their time is ending in January.
Brandy George: Okay but looking at this man.... Im going to go out on a limb and say he isnt being honest when he, being bald, says one of his "favorite" things to do is go to many hair salons and hang out.
J.T. Gralka: "your immutable characteristics" ≠ your hairstyle... That's why it's called a hairSTYLE! You're welcome to style it however you like, and you're able to style it in a way that accommodates your work and daily living.
AK Candlemaker: Why should this issue be brought up in our Congress? This is absurd!
Scott Weaver: I guess hair is more important than inflation, high gas prices, high food prices, high energy cost, open boarders, etc etc etc. Spartacus and his party show top priority as usual.
Jane Sevy: This doesn't belong in Congress.
Dennis Heaverlo: He doesn't have any shame, this country is falling apart and he worries about hairdos, barbers must be racist now. These people have lost their minds
Lynnette Hardy: Black women aren't the only ones who consider their hair a "crown". Asian women, Latinas, and even us white women place a great deal of importance on our hair. But I would never show up at a job interview with my "natural hair". My natural hair is a frizzy mess. If I'm going into a job interview or when I worked in an office environment, my hairstyle, dress, makeup, and jewelry were very conservative. I saved the wild hair and flashy attire for outside the office.
Tom Love: A great example of why the most important issues in our current world don’t ever get addressed.
Stephen Perretti: I am 76 years old. When I was a little boy, there wss a common phrase used when a parent, or a teacher, or even another kid, made a persistent demand (throw out the garbage, do your homework, the ball was in foul territory). We would respond by saying, "DON'T MAKE A FEDERAL CASE OUT OF IT". I never hear that phrase anymore. No wonder...THE EVERYTHING IS A FEDERAL CASE !!!
Andrew G. Carvill: Short or shortish or gathered up hair is part of dress codes across many occupations as part of safety, hygiene or professional presentation. These strictures cut (pardon the pun) across all races and ethnicities.
christina Noname: Wow…. Booker got through a sesh as idiotic as it is without crying. Good boy
Becky Hibler: Dear Lord they're talking about hair when we have an invasion going on at the border❤❤❤❤
Sekevian Johnson: WHY TF IS THE EVEN A CONVERSATION ?
Keith Hankins: The never ends.
Greg Davidson: Oh yeah, this is one of THE most important issues of our time. So glad I was able to watch this,,,wait, I can't watch Booker another word. Ah, I fast forwarded to Rand Paul, I feel better now.
donna ryan haynes: We need a bill not to discriminate against bald people or short people
J.R. Chance: My son wears cornrows and at times dreadlocks, He’s also whiter than rice…. That’s a problem with Booker cause he lets a hairstyle identify who you are. I’m a bit of a redneck, my throws rhymes like nobody’s business and I love him with my whole heart! We don’t always see everything the same and we’re actually quite different in some ways, but we shouldn’t let differences affect the relationships that we all could have if we didn’t judge each other based on hair!
Tony Farson: This is what our representatives are spending their time on? So many REAL issues and THIS is what they think matters. Unbelievable.
John Miller: I’m glad Newark is so perfect now that we can pay attention to bills like this.
Wireless User: Seriously this is something that's near and dear to your heart are you freaking kidding me hairstyle discrimination I never heard of such a thing what are we doing in the Senate what a waste of time!!
Alice Sweney: Wow! No wonder the rest of the world is laughing at us!
Frances Rea: I never heard about a government controlling hairstyles!!
Riley Halls: When I went to the NYC Ballet several years ago a pretty Black woman had an afro wig on that was high & wide. The people behind needed to move their seats. I can see why this would be of concern if this happened within rows of school children - no matter the race. - No one can see properly! Will this be an infraction or potential crime if anyone says anything about it?
Casey Ford: I haven't been seeing workers wearing hair nets and gloves at restaurants. Are we just allowing everything to be disgusting now?
littlethuggie: Finally, we were able to beat hairstyle discrimination in 2022.
Chad Arnold: I think we have more pressing issues in this country than f-ing hair styles, come on!
mike greene: Is this really something we should worry about? It's just another way someone can bring up a LAWSUIT!
MaitresseKatx: I can’t believe Booker is still in office ~ what embarrassment to New Jersey.
clinique dillard: How can they sit there without laughing their asses off?
Robert Mann: I'm paying 7 dollars for a dozen of eggs and 6 dollars for a jar of peanut butter and 5 dollars for a loaf of bread and what direction a snowflake combs their hair is what these bums in Washington are worried about. .. Wonder what Madison would be saying?
James R: Way to represent your constituents. We are already an international punchline, but this is almost hard to believe. Good job voters
Betty Boyne: OMG,Cory. Absolutely a subject vital for discussion when many family's can barely buy milk for their babys.
GTMan: 2 minutes in and i cant stop LAUGHING!!!!! p.s. had to edit this because i had to stop watching this by 4 minutes. how dumb are we gonna get here?
g s: Good for Rand Paul! Goofy bill.
robert robert: Some people just have too much time on their hands and not enough professionalism in the workplace.
Joesph Reiley: Thank you Rand Paul for setting him straight.
Scott Weaver: Haven’t heard from Spartacus in awhile, he sounds ridiculous as ever. The joke of jokes
Ron: Thank you Sen. Cory Booker for the history , and dynamics that cover this subject . As I understand from Sen. Rand Paul there is already a bill in place that covers this subject . If that exsisting bill needs to be revised in a more elaberate fasion that may be a reasonable compromise . Merry Christmass to All
Daily Llama: 2:12 Also, It had nothing to do with “race”. Dreadlocks in wrestling cause an unfair advantage. The cushiony hair will create a buffer zone that allows a wrestler to dispatch certain moves. SMH
Scott Kortright: I honestly thought this was a joke. Watched the video and now realize he is the joke
tyranusfan: What a wonderful age of government overreach we live in.
lauren glass: They waste their time on this , secure the border. Sick of everyone’s feelings.
Julie Albright: "Conversations turn to deep pain" But yet they still elect Democrat to keep them down!
Daughter Of States Rights: Omg, is this for real?? Booker, there’s more important issues going on in this country than hairstyles! The stupidity of this guy is unbelievable!
Eileen Heitman: As a 73 year old man who combs his hair straight back with hair gel to keep it place....I feel unrepresented. How long will the Fed. Govt. ignore my plight? Dave, not Eileen
Darnell Amison: While I definitely agree the dominant society should not be discriminating on Black hairstyles. This matter should be delt with on a state and local level not federal. We have far more important things we need to handle like the invasion of the border by illegal immigrants.
Angella Houston: With so much going on in our Country and he`s worried about hair, wow we need some real Senators up there, what a freaking CLOWN....
Vic Drago: Paul was like…hold my beer. Time for the adults to speak.
Paul Jasmine: I am so embarrassed to have this guy as my Senator.
Nickolas Lincoln: Cory Booker is so absurd he's awesome. I can't even tell if he's trolling at this point.
Ridder: This is a perfect example of how worthless congress has become
James: I can't believe they're wasting time on that floor discussing crap like this instead of issues pertaining to the state of our country.
Craig Thompson: At first, I thought he was attempting stand-up comedy. It's hard to believe Cory Booker is a real US senator.
The Man Flake: Equating hair guidelines to civil rights is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.
TheBrowncoat2112: Good grief, they’re actively seeking ways to find victimhood.
Benson DeLuca: “You are not your body and hair-style, but your capacity for choosing well. If your choices are beautiful, so too will you be.” - Seneca
Ordinary Pete: He’s a member of the “Divine Nine.” That’s all. That’s all I gotta say about that.
austinhandsinmotion: Thank you Rand Paul!
Al Gore Rhythm: This is like watching a man with no cars, calling for more and better roads.
Michelle Jackson: Where’s the outrage, the continuous interviews calling republicans out for this disgrace!
B. Quiet: All our problems and THIS is what he's wasting my money on.....If it's a sin to pray to God for horror to happen to evil people. Guilty
Jo Barkley: Seriously...Not one of the Nations top concerns that we need addressed right now, Mr. Spart.
Sharon Goldsworthy: The new 'most idiotic' bill ever introduced in Congress. Furthermore, folks may hire or not hire anybody they damn well please!
J: Remember: when they publicly waste time on dumb shit, they're privately doing dirty shit somewhere else RIGHT NOW.
John Bristol: At least Booker said “Merry Christmas” and not the generic “happy holidays”
Walt Zabelski: THIS GUY COULD HAVE A DOCTORATE IN "THE ART OF PANDERING" HE CAN TEACH AT HARVARD OR YALE!! WHY IS HE JUST A U.S. SENATOR?
Not Me: There's no way this dude is serious. Rand Paul should've just stood up, laughed, then sat back down.
Mary Jacob: With all the problems in our government and world they are worried abt hair ! Are you kidding me
Rich Rorex: Rand Paul, the voice of reason.
dttruman: I don't know about Booker, but there has been an increase in hair grabbing or entanglement in college basketball games. So as you can see, many people are in favor of having short hair for safety reasons in sporting events.
Mike Belnap: Wow And he’s bald,thank god there are not real problems facing Newark
Jay Bird: It's like watching a bad movie, our government. You can walk out before the movie is over, but this one continues... In real life! This is how they split the masses they govern and that's scary.
Steve Lefler: Senate is confronting hairstyles? There is far more problems than this. Booker should be ashamed.
Tyloxs: This is the funniest thing I’ve heard all day.
Glenn Hofstetter: This is the most important thing that Booker could come up with while the rest of the country goes down the tubes. What a waste of my tax payer money
Dennis G: Yet 2,000 "Got Away's" a day at the Border from 100 different Countries is of NO Concern to Booker??
Brad: Anti hair style discrimination bills being discussed in congress? Well I for one am so glad to see that all of our real problems have been solved and we can address issues like this!