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Black America Web
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Black America Web
Missouri Awaits Governor's Signature To Become Latest State To Enact CROWN Act Protections
Source: FG Trade / Getty As of now, 27 states across America have passed some version of the CROWN Act, a piece of legislation that prevents discrimination over Black hairstyles. Missouri could soon be the 28th state with CROWN Act protections should Gov. Mike Kehoe sign off on the bill. According to KCUR, Kansas City and St. Louis have both passed CROWN Act laws on a local level, but state-level legislation has been in the works since 2020. Missouri's CROWN Act bill was sponsored by state Sen. Barbara Washington (D-Kansas City) and enshrines protections for students in preschools and K-12 schools that receive public funding. CROWN, which is an acronym for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, prevents schools from discriminating against students for having curls, locs, dreads, afros, and basically any other hairstyle that doesn't come naturally to white people. Missouri's CROWN Act would only apply to educational settings, as efforts to enshrine the protections beyond that have fallen flat in the state. State Rep. LaKeySha Bosley (D-St. Louis), introduced a version of the legislation that would expand the state's definition of workplace discrimination to include 'traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles.' Bosley's bills weren't referred to the House committee until the end of the legislative session, when there wasn't time for a hearing to consider them. California was the first state to pass CROWN Act legislation in 2019. The legislation came as several stories arose of Black students being forced to alter their hairstyles to attend school or participate in extracurricular activities. One such story was Andrew Johnson, who was forced to cut his locs or risk being disqualified from a wrestling tournament. A similar incident occurred in 2018 when Darryl George was suspended from Barbers Hill High School in Texas for wearing his hair in locs. The suspension led to a discrimination lawsuit where a judge ruled in favor of the school. One of the strangest details of the case was a full-page newspaper ad taken out by the school district's superintendent defending the suspension by saying, 'being an American requires conformity.' White people confuse me, y'all. One second, they're talking about 'rebel pride,' and the next, they're arguing why everyone needs to conform to societal expectations. They really need to pick a lane. Texas would eventually pass a version of the CROWN Act into law in 2023, and the Congressional Black Caucus invited George to President Biden's State of the Union address last year as a result of the court ruling. Washington referenced these stories during the state Senate's debate session over the bill. She argued that children should not be deprived of educational or extracurricular opportunities 'simply because they chose to wear their hair in braids or an afro or dreadlocks.' The bill only faced opposition from one Republican senator who felt that the protections weren't needed. The bill passed as part of a larger package of legislation tied to anti-discrimination and anti-hazing measures for schools. While there's undoubtedly been progress on the state level, there was a push last year by Democrats in Congress to get the CROWN Act enshrined through federal legislation. Considering President Trump's ongoing war on anything that makes Black people's lives easier, I'm sadly doubtful any CROWN Act legislation on the federal level would prove successful in the near future. SEE ALSO: Hair Discrimination, The CROWN Act And Why DEI Matters CROWN Act: Democrats Push For Federal Legislation SEE ALSO Missouri Awaits Governor's Signature To Become Latest State To Enact CROWN Act Protections was originally published on
NDTV
24-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Fired For Natural Hair? Ex-In-N-Out Employee Sues Burger Chain For Rs 25 Crore
A former In-N-Out Burger employee has sued the fast food chain for at least Rs 25 crore ($3 million) in damages, alleging he was fired for his natural hair. Elijah Obeng, a California native, claims that he was racially discriminated against and terminated for his natural hair and texture. According to the court documents, Mr Obeng started working at an In-N-Out restaurant in June 2020 after graduating from high school and continued to work till he was terminated last year. Mr Obeng went to work in accordance with In-N-Out's grooming and uniform policy. However, when his hair got longer, the management instructed him to cut or alter it to fit under the required uniform hat. In an attempt to comply with the policy, Mr Obeng braided his hair. Despite this, the management told him, in front of other employees, that he needed to cut his sideburns, which Mr Obeng found "humiliating and discriminatory". Upon not cutting the sideburns, court documents state, he began experiencing different treatment. He was punished for minor policy violations, like not attending work meetings, which Obeng claims his colleagues did not face, the lawsuit reads. 'Emotional distress' Mr Obeng is now seeking damages for "emotional distress, loss of employment, and punitive damages" due to the discriminatory practices he experienced at the workplace. "The complaint alleges that Obeng faced adverse employment actions due to his natural hair and cultural identity, which were in violation of California's Fair Employment and Housing Act and the CROWN Act," read the lawsuit. "This policy disproportionately burdened Black employees whose natural hair may not conform to such grooming standards." The CROWN Act, which is an official law in 27 states, including California, prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of an employee's hairstyle or hair texture. In-N-Out, however, claims that Mr Obeng's employment was terminated due to prior write-ups.
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Former In-N-Out employee accuses burger chain of discriminatory firing for natural hair
A former In-N-Out employee is suing the West Coast burger chain for alleged discriminatory treatment and termination due to his natural hair. Elijah Obeng filed a lawsuit against In-N-Out, alleging he was discriminated against and fired based on his natural hairstyle and texture. Obeng claims he has suffered damages from the termination, including emotional distress, reputational harm and loss of employment, court documents state. He is seeking $3 million in damages and $200,000 in pay he would have earned since his firing or could have earned in the future. In-N-Out declined to comment to USA TODAY on June 18, citing ongoing litigation. Obeng and his lawyer did not immediately respond to request for comment. Lawsuit accuses In-N-Out of 'humiliating and discriminatory' action According to court documents, Obeng began working at an In-N-Out restaurant in June 2020 after graduating from high school. He continued to work for the chain until he was terminated in spring 2024. Obeng went to work with his natural hair, in accordance with In-N-Out's grooming and uniform policy, the lawsuit reads. When Obeng's hair got longer, he was instructed by management to cut or alter it to fit under the required uniform hat. In an effort to comply with the policy, Obeng began wearing his hair in braids. Management then told him, court documents state, that he needed to cut his sideburns, which Obeng found "humiliating and discriminatory." When he did not cut his sideburns, Obeng began experiencing different treatment. He was punished for minor policy violations, like not attending work meetings, which Obeng claims his colleagues did not face, the lawsuit reads. In-N-Out's grooming and uniform policy is not readily accessible online, but Indeed forums indicate that male workers must arrive to shifts clean-shaven, with no facial hair. On around May 25, 2024, Obeng clocked in for what would be his last shift at In-N-Out. Upon his arrival, management told him to go home, shave his sideburns and return, court documents state. Instead, Obeng left and texted his supervisor that he would return for his next shift. A few days later, Obeng was fired, which In-N-Out claimed was due to prior write-ups, according to court documents. Obeng, however, alleges that his termination was because of his "ancestry, color and race, including his natural hairstyle and hair texture." Former employee says In-N-Out violated CROWN Act In the lawsuit, Obeng says In-N-Out violated the CROWN Act, a law that prohibits employers from discrimination based on hairstyle and texture. Standing for "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair," the law was first passed in California in 2019 with the help of Dove, the CROWN Coalition and Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell. As of June 18, the CROWN Act is law in 27 states, according to The CROWN Act website. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In-N-Out Burger Being Sued for $3.2 Million
In-N-Out Burger is packed seemingly every day with guests wanting a burger with fresh fries in a very limited (albeit popular) menu. As of March 2025, In-N-Out has 418 locations across the United States. Most are in California and the West Coast, but the company has started to venture out to Texas as well. Unfortunately, In-N-Out is being sued for a whopping $3.2 million by one former employee, and the reason is because of his hairstyle, per Annie Goodykoontz of The Los Angeles Times. "In-N-Out Burger is being sued for at least $3 million by a former employee for alleged racial discrimination involving the employee's hairstyle, according to a Los Angeles County Superior Court filing," the report stated. "According to the suit, 21-year-old Elijah Obeng, who is Black, said he experienced severe emotional distress after he was unfairly targeted by the burger chain's dress code. The dress code requires its employees to wear company-issued hats with their hair tucked in, and male employees must be clean-shaven, the lawsuit says." Obeng worked at the Compton In-N-Out store for nearly four years, and the report stated that the company took exception to his hairstyle and his sideburns with him even being sent home in May 2024 to shave his sideburns. Based on Obeng's lawsuit, the Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair (CROWN Act) is what the company is in violation of, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on their hairstyles and hair textures. The former employee's experience caused him 'anxiety, humiliation, and loss of dignity,' per the lawsuit. Moreover, In-N-Out responded and said that it was due to prior write-ups, but Obeng believes it was a discriminatory act resulting in his resistance against the dress code policy. From a financial aspect, a $3.2 million lawsuit is a small number compared to the $2 billion per year the company brings in, but dealing with this will likely bring negative attention to the well-known burger Burger Being Sued for $3.2 Million first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 20, 2025
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former In-N-Out employee files $3 million lawsuit, accuses company of alleged discrimination over hairstyle
A former In-N-Out employee has filed a $3 million lawsuit against In-N-Out, alleging that he received discriminatory treatment and was eventually fired due to his hairstyle. Elijah Obeng, a Black man, filed his lawsuit in Compton Superior Court and said he suffered from severe emotional distress, reputational harm and loss of employment. He is accusing In-N-Out of wrongful termination, discrimination based on race, failure to prevent harassment, harassment based on race, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and failure to prevent harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. In-N-Out declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation. Obeng said in the suit that he was unfairly targeted by the burger chain's dress code, which requires employees to wear company-issued hats with their hair tucked in. Men are required to be clean-shaven, according to the lawsuit. However, as his hair grew, Obeng said he was instructed by management to change his hairstyle to comply with company policy. Specifically, he was advised to cut or alter his hair so that it could fit entirely under the uniform hat, according to the suit. Obeng stated that he braided his hair to comply with company policy, but management advised him to cut off his sideburns, which Obeng found 'humiliating and discriminatory.' Obeng stated that he began experiencing different treatment, such as being reprimanded for minor infractions, having his work scrutinized more harshly and being denied opportunities for promotion and advancement. Around May 25, 2024, Obeng stated that his supervisor instructed him to go home, shave and return. However, Obeng noted that he didn't have any facial hair other than natural sideburns that were part of his hairstyle. His coworkers also witnessed the interaction. Obeng stated that he felt 'publicly humiliated' during that moment. A few days later, Obeng was fired and claimed he was let go due to his 'natural hair and resistance to discriminatory policies.' In-N-Out claimed he was let go due to prior write-ups, according to the suit. The lawsuit states that In-N-Out violated the CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair. The California law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on their hairstyles and hair textures. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
