Hair Love, which won Best Animated Short at the 92nd Academy Awards, is a heartwarming and relatable story about a father learning to do his daughter's Afro-textured hair while her mom is in the hospital. But there's more to that story. During his acceptance speech, co-creator Matthew Cherry called out the CROWN Act.
"Hair Love was done because we wanted to see more representation in animation, and we wanted to normalize black hair," he said. "There's a very important issue that's out there, the CROWN Act, and if we can help get this passed in all 50 states, we can help stories like Deandre Arnold's to stop from happening."
Arnold was suspended from school for his locs, which went against the dress code, and was told he could cut them or not walk at graduation. The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) ensures protection against discrimination based on hairstyles, including by employers and schools K-12. It's passed in California and New York, and has been introduced in New Jersey.
Learn more about it and how to get involved here.