Free Republic

Washington (CNN)The US House on Friday passed legislation that would ban race-based hair discrimination in employment and against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, and public accommodations. The Democratic-led House voted 235-189 to pass the CROWN Act, which stands for "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair." The bill seeks to protect against bias based on hair texture and protective styles, including locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, and Afros. "Natural Black hair is often deemed 'unprofessional' simply because it does not conform to White beauty standards," Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, the...

The beehive, a melding of ratted-up hair and hairspray that would maintain its shape for a week between beauty parlor appointments, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010, embraced by celebrities as diverse as cartoon mom Marge Simpson and singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. And this year, its creator, Elmhurst retiree Margaret Vinci Heldt, 92, is being honored for her creation, which she said was inspired by a little black velvet fez-style cap with two beaded decorations that look like bees.