Gender, race and religion are protected under federal and state laws barring discrimination. What about one's hair?

Employers and school administrators in New Jersey may have another factor to steer clear from, or adjust their grooming policies toward, when making hiring decisions.

Legislation that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of hair style, type, or texture under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) was introduced in the state Assembly and Senate on June 13. Advocates say it reflects another development in civil rights law.

The legislation, inspired by the nationally reported case of an Atlantic County high school wrestler forced into an on-the-spot decision to either shave his dreadlocks or forfeit a match, would prohibit hair discrimination in the workplace, housing and schools.

Primary sponsors Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, D-Hudson, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, D-Mercer, and Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, D-Essex, introduced A-5564 on June 13.

NJ State Sen. Shirley K. Turner (D) New Jersey State Sen. Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer. Photo by Carmen Natale.

In the upper chamber, Sens. Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, Nia Gill, D-Essex, and Shirley Turner, D-Mercer, introduced an identical bill the same day.

Each was referred to its chamber's labor committee and is awaiting a hearing.

Specifically, the measures would amend the LAD so that the term “race” encompasses “traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles.” Under the bill, the term “protective hair styles” includes, but is not limited to, braids, locks, and twists. It also includes Afros.

Turner said what prompted her sponsoring the bill was the case of Buena Regional High School junior Andrew Johnson, who became nationally known when he was captured on video having his dreadlocks shaved off during a December 2018 wrestling meet. Referee Alan Maloney, citing high school wrestling rules, had required Johnson to either shave off the dreadlocks or forfeit the match.

Turner noted that the referee gave the young man 90 seconds to make a decision. The young man won the match but had his hair cut in the gymnasium and was publicly humiliated just so he could participate, she said.

Hair “is a component of race,” Turner said in a phone call. “Many young men and young women, too, choose to have their hair braided and choose to have dreadlocks. They should not be discriminated against. It is a form of ethnic pride, and they should not be forced to have to get them cut or removed.