MASSACHUSETTS IS 18th STATE TO BAN DISCRIMINATION BASED ON ONE’S NATURAL HAIRSTYLES

Governor Charlie Baker signed the CROWN Act at the Massachusetts State House with Deanna Cook (left). GREENHOUSE/GLOBE STAFF

BOSTON GLOBE: Massachusetts follows 17 other states in adopting language known as the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, or CROWN, Act. Now, it’s illegal in the Commonwealth to discriminate against a person for donning styles including, but not limited to, braids, locs, twists, and Bantu knots. Proponents say the law is a crucial first step in reversing centuries of harm perpetrated against Black Americans because of their natural hair textures. Read more.