The 21st Show

Bill To Ban Hair Discrimination In Schools

 
Legislatorsare considering whether to revise their states' anti-discrimination laws to ban bias in housing, employment and public accommodations based on hairstyles

Legislatorsare considering whether to revise their states' anti-discrimination laws to ban bias in housing, employment and public accommodations based on hairstyles "historically associated with race" such as braids, locs and twists. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) wants to withhold funding from schools that apply dress codes to hairstyles. Simmons says policies that ban certain hairstyles in schools are outdated. He said he thinks schools will want to be on the right side of history if the amendment to SB817 becomes law. We talked with Simmons and the mother of a student who was ordered to take out his braids by at school.

Guests

State Sen. Mike Simmons, (D-Chicago) 7th District

Ida Nelson, mother of son forced to take out braids at school

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