CROWN Act’s Passage Marks a Major Step towards Racial Equality

ST. THOMAS - Lawmakers comprising the 34th Legislature’s Committee on Rules and Judiciary took a significant step towards passing anti-discrimination legislation sponsored by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger, known as the Virgin Islands Crown Act (Bill No. 34-0147).

The Virgin Islands CROWN Act seeks to amend Title 10, chapter 1, sections 2 and 3 and Title 17, chapter 3 of the VI Code. Bill No. 0147 would create a legal association of a person’s hair texture to their race under the VI Code and prohibits employers and educational institutions from excluding individuals from participation based on natural hair texture. Protective styles utilized to maintain hair texture which is tightly coiled or tightly curled includes but are not limited to: braids, locks, twists, cornrows, bantu knots, Afros, and other styles. “No type of discrimination should ever exist within our society,” said Sen. Francis Heyliger on the Senate floor. “Especially when it comes to anything that is God-given.”

Sen. Francis Heyliger expressed appreciation for the supporters of the Virgin Islands CROWN Act and the votes of her Senate colleagues. As the bill now moves forward to the full body of the Territory’s representatives, Sen. Francis Heyliger stated that she looks forward to the passage of the VI Crown Act.

“Far too often we hear stories about individuals that missed out on job opportunities, or promotions, or were excluded from participating in academic activities on the basis of their hair texture, something they were born with, something they did not choose, something that is God-given,” said Sen. Francis Heyliger with regards to the passage of the Virgin Islands CROWN Act. “This legislation is absolutely imperative towards protecting the advancement of a large population of this Territory that may not want to straighten their hair using caustic chemicals just so they can earn an income or gain an education.”

With its passage from the Senate Committee on Rules and Judiciary, Sen. Francis Heyliger said she hopes to rally further support for the measure and bring attention to the pervasive effects of this type of discrimination has on citizens of the U.S. Virgin Islands.