Michigan

Michigan bans hairstyle discrimination in workplaces and schools

Published

1 year ago

June 15, 2023

Michigan bans hairstyle discrimination in workplaces and schools

LANSING, Mich. — The denial of employment or educational opportunities due to discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles, such as Afros, cornrows or dreadlocks, will be prohibited in Michigan under legislation signed Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The new law, known as the Crown Act, will amend the state’s civil rights law to ban discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles within employment, housing, education and places of public accommodation.

State Sen. Sarah Anthony, who first introduced similar legislation in 2019, said at Thursday’s signing in Lansing that for years, she’s heard “the stories of men and women and children who are denied opportunities here in our state,” due to hair discrimination.

“Let’s call it what it is: hair discrimination is nothing more than thinly veiled racial discrimination,” said Anthony, the first Black woman to represent Lansing in the state Senate.

While previous attempts at passing the Crown Act in Michigan failed in the Republican-led Legislature, the legislation was passed this year with bipartisan support with a 100-7 vote in the state House.

Michigan will become the 23rd state to pass a version of the Crown Act, according to the governor’s office. The U.S. House passed a bill to prohibit hair discrimination last year but it failed to advance in the U.S. Senate.

Supporters of the law have pointed to a 2019 study by Dove that showed one in five Black women working in office or sales settings have said they had to alter their natural hair. The study also found Black students are far more likely to be suspended for dress code or hair violations.

Marian Scott, a student from Jackson, Michigan, joined lawmakers at Thursday’s signing. In 2019, Scott, then an 8-year-old, was told that she could not take school pictures because her red hair extensions violated school policies.

In 2021, a biracial 7-year-old girl in Michigan had her hair cut by a school worker without her parents’ permission. The girl’s father, Jimmy Hoffmeyer, filed a $1 million lawsuit against the school district, alleging racial discrimination and ethnic intimidation.

Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, the state’s first Black lieutenant governor, said his own daughter just got her hair braided yesterday for the first time, with a heart design in it.

“Imagine when you choose how to present and someone tells you that’s wrong,” Gilchrist said. “What does that do to snuff out the imaginative potential of our young people?”

Michigan Democrats have focused on expanding the state’s civil rights law since they took control this year. The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, created in 1976, was amended twice earlier this year to add protections for the LGBTQ community and workers who receive abortions.

The civil rights act prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status and marital status.

Former Republican Rep. Mel Larsen, who helped author the civil rights act alongside Democratic Rep. Daisy Elliott in 1976, said earlier this year at a signing that the “original intent, and the intent still, is that every citizen of Michigan has the right to be protected under the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.”

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Michigan

Gov. Whitmer calls Michigan troops on Thanksgiving

Published

17 mins ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Gov. Whitmer calls Michigan troops on Thanksgiving

LANSING, MI – The governor of Michigan called deployed troops to wish them a happy Thanksgiving this year.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer called actively deployed members of the Michigan Army National Guard and Michigan Air National Guard.

“Today, there are more than 200 members of the MING serving away from their homes and families,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Whether supporting the federal law enforcement mission at the Southwest Border or protecting our national security interests around the globe, their selflessness and loyalty to their mission during these challenging times should be honored. We look forward to welcoming each unit and individual home safely to their families.”

Michigan troops at a Thanksgiving celebration this year.Photo provided to MLive by the Michigan Executive Office of the Governor

Governor Whitmer spoke to soldiers and airmen currently deployed to Romania, Germany, Iraq, and Kuwait in support of U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command and Soldiers deployed to the Southwest Border, in support of Joint Interagency Task Force West.

These troops are tackling a wide range of challenges in each of their respective missions, bringing expertise in operations, logistics, transportation, firefighting, communications and security.

The Soldiers and Airmen are members of the:

217th Air Operations Group of MIANG (Battle Creek)
110th Logistics Readiness Squadron of MIANG (Battle Creek)
1440th Firefighting Detachment of MIARNG (Alpena)
272nd Regional Support Group of MIARNG (Lansing)
1463rd Transportation Company of MIARNG (Battle Creek)

michigan troops thanksgiving — Deployed Michigan soldiers pose with an American flag.Photo provided to MLive by the Michigan Executive Office of the Governor

“Michiganders who serve our state and nation in uniform put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” Gov. Whitmer said. “As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s recognize the sacrifices they and their families make so we can live freely.

“Right now, many active-duty service members are apart from their families, working hard, far from home. I was honored to speak to some of them today and convey our gratitude. I hope we all take some time to honor our service members and their families this Thanksgiving and pray for their safe return home.”

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Michigan

Game 7: Michigan vs. Xavier Recap | UM Hoops.com

Published

8 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Game 7: Michigan vs. Xavier Recap | UM Hoops.com

Dusty May has a well-earned reputation as an offensive wizard, but his first Michigan team is winning with its defense. On Wednesday night, the Wolverines put Xavier through the wringer, suffocating a high-flying offense loaded with experience, shooting, and depth.

Every Xavier possession was grueling and laborious. Even some of the shots the Musketeers made felt worthy of ending up on a Wolverine defensive highlight reel. Xavier made 20 shots, missed 38, and turned it over 19 times.

College basketball fans love Feast Week because of the memorable back-and-forth bouts of shot-making brilliance and clutch playmaking. This was anything but. It was outright defensive domination in a 78-53 win that was supposed to be a pick-em.

I wrote in the game preview that this was the kind of game that would come down to which team could play their style against leveled-up competition. Michigan left no doubt about which team that was.

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Michigan

Michigan versus Ohio State: Police team up to ensure safety during rivalry game

Published

16 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

Michigan versus Ohio State: Police team up to ensure safety during rivalry game

State troopers from Michigan and Ohio prepare to ensure safety around rivalry game

The game is in Ohio so it is away, but if you’re traveling, basic traffic rules still apply. Officials are reminding all drivers what not to do.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (FOX 2) – It’s time for the game Michigan football fans have circled on their calendar every year. Blue versus red, Michigan versus Ohio State, a rivalry rooted in their prolific history.

From the fans to the governors, everyone’s picking sides ahead of Saturday’s big game. It is a game that will show how both states will show their pride and keep people safe while they enjoy themselves.

When Michigan and Ohio State meet, it’s always a fight, with bragging rights and pride shining bright. Now the governors have joined the fray, with a candy bet for the big game day. A tale to tell of this rivalry where emotions swell.

It is a steep rivalry, but safety’s the focus troopers will keep. Michigan and Ohio patrols will unite to sideline impaired driving on Saturday night.

“We know people will be out celebrating the win or the loss,” said Lt. Rene Gonzalez from Michigan State Police.

The game is in Ohio, so it is away, but if you’re traveling, basic traffic rules still apply. Officials are reminding all drivers what not to do.

No drinking, no speeding, no unsafe rides, use a sober driver, stay safe, and take pride. Roads will be watched, both far and near, to curb fatal crashes and bring good cheer.

Hosting a party? Keep safety the goal, no underage drinks—stay in control.

Michigan State Police are joining the rivalry run, keeping it safe while having some fun.

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