CINCINNATI — A city council member in Cincinnati wants to prohibit discrimination against natural hair and hairstyles associated with race.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Seelbach has proposed that natural hair be added to the city's discrimination policy.
Seelbach says people of color have been forced to regard popular natural hairstyles such as cornrows or dreadlocks as liabilities in the workplace, housing and elsewhere. He says black women are especially penalized.
The proposed law would call for the city to investigate complaints of discrimination and allow fines of up to $1,000.
A public discussion on the issue with the Cincinnati City Council's Arts, Youth & Inclusion committee is scheduled Tuesday. The full council is expected to vote Wednesday.
New York and California outlawed hair discrimination earlier this year.
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Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com
