Senate Bill 90 would protect against discrimination by adding traits commonly associated with race like hair texture and protective styles including braids and twist.
This particular type of discrimination is all too common for many Black people, Black women in particular, who often find their hair policed by dress codes in schools, in athletics, and in the workplace.
In fact, Black women are 30 percent more likely to be made aware of workplace appearance policies. Black women are also 80 percent more likely to change their hair style to “fit in” at the office.
In most states it’s legal for schools and workplaces to discriminate against natural hairstyles. With Senate Bill 90, South Dakota can join a leading group of states and protect everyone’s right to live authentically. Black women are also 80 percent more likely to change their hair style to “fit in” at the office.
By voting yes on this policy, lawmakers send a clear message that Black hair is professional, Black hair is beautiful, Black hair is welcome.
In support of our partners at South Dakota Voices for Justice who have been backing this bill, we ask that South Dakotans write their elected officials to request they pass this policy. Find tips for connecting on our toolkit page, aclusd.org/toolkit.
Discrimination of any kind has no place in South Dakota.
Learn more about Senate Bill 90 on our bill tracker page, and tune in to live testimony this Friday in the Senate State Affairs Committee on sd.net.
