Bill Text: NJ AJR143 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates September 15 of each year as "World Afro Day" in NJ.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-12 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [AJR143 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-AJR143-Introduced.html
No. 143
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 12, 2024
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Designates September 15 of each year as "World Afro Day" in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating September 15 of each year as "World Afro Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Beginning on September 15, 2017 in the United Kingdom, World Afro Day has stood as a celebration of natural hair and as an educational event to teach about Afro hair; and
Whereas, September 15 holds significance because it marks the day in 2016 when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals first upheld the rescinding of a job offer for Chastity Jones, who had her job offer rescinded for refusing to cut her dreadlocks; and
Whereas, The organization World Afro Day has worked to end discrimination relating to hair through hosting events, drafting resources, and conducting research; and
Whereas, Afro hair has been the focus of discrimination and bias for centuries, which has led to unfair disadvantages in school, the workplace, and exclusion for people wearing their hair as it grows from their head; and
Whereas, Students have been punished and singled out for Afro hairstyles and have faced discrimination as well as encountered barriers to learning for wearing certain hairstyles; and
Whereas, World Afro Day provides educators with resources to combat hair discrimination and help students maintain access to learning; and
Whereas, Mainstream representations of Afro hair have been lacking for many years, leading children to idealize a certain concept of beauty and believe they cannot attain such a standard; and
Whereas, Children may also feel pressure to fit in and to conform their appearance by changing the way their hair looks, lowering their self-esteem; and
Whereas, Afro hair deserves to be celebrated and for its beauty and children should be able to be confident and proud of the way they look and of their heritage; and
Whereas, In 2019 the "Create a Respectful and Open Workspace for Natural Hair Act," also known as the CROWN Act, became law in this State; and
Whereas, New Jersey celebrates all of its residents and strives to create a safe and inclusive environment to live, work, and encourage learning for all; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. September 15 of each year is designated "World Afro Day" in New Jersey to recognize and celebrate Afro hair and encourage learning and inclusivity within this State.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing September 15 as "World Afro Day" in New Jersey and calling upon institutions of learning and culture to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates September 15 of each year as "World Afro Day" in New Jersey. Beginning on September 15, 2017 in the United Kingdom, World Afro Day has stood as a celebration of natural hair and as an educational event to teach about Afro hair. The date was chosen to mark the day in 2016 when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the rescinding of a job offer for Chastity Jones, who had her job offer rescinded for refusing to cut her dreadlocks. The court later withdrew this opinion and issued a revised opinion with the same outcome.
The organization World Afro Day provides educational resources and hosts events to teach about natural hair and end hair discrimination. Afro hairstyles have been discriminated against for centuries. This has led to exclusion, bias, and low self-esteem. New Jersey recognized this problem and passed the "Create a Respectful and Open Workspace for Natural Hair Act" in 2019. Positive representations of natural hair and shifting perspectives on natural hair are crucial to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where all residents of New Jersey can thrive.
