Dove and National Urban League, founding members of The CROWN Coalition – an alliance founded to end race-based hair discrimination in the workplace and schools – have announced that they are taking action to stamp out hair discrimination in the pool.
The decision stems from a ruling by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) on 2nd July 2021; denying swim caps created for Black hair for competition at the Olympics. The swim hat made by Soul Cap – which previously partnered with Alice Dearing, who recently qualified to become the first black female swimmer to represent Team GB at the Olympics – was rejected by FINA. The body said the caps did not fit “the natural form of the head”. According to their knowledge, athletes competing at the international events “never used” nor “require caps of such size and configuration”.
EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION IN SWIM SPORTS
While there has been a formal apology issued by FINA and a commitment to review another request for inclusion in the next submission window in September; their original decision “highlights the issue of hair discrimination in the sport”, according to the CROWN Coalition. “Hair is a critically important part of Black heritage, identity and culture; and Black athletes should have the freedom to compete without being forced to forfeit their cultural identity or dignity.”
Danielle Obe, founding member of the UK’s Black Swimming Association, said the ruling confirmed “a lack of diversity” in the sport; and that “Aquatic swimming must do better”. The original swimming cap does “not work for afro hair”, she highlighted. “We need the space and the volume which products like the Soul Caps allow for.”
Dove and The CROWN Coalition are committed to driving cultural sensitivity and working to end hair discrimination with the CROWN Act, legislation that ends hair discrimination in the workplace and public schools, as reported. The Coalition is now working to influence local, regional, national and international governing bodies to adopt policies to ensure full, equitable participation in swimming sports; not excluding the use of swimwear and accessories allowing full access to the sport.
“Dove has always stood for beauty inclusivity; and we believe athletes should be able to experience inclusivity in pools as well,” stated Esi Eggleston Bracey, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of North America Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever. “This matter underscores the continued importance of passing CROWN Act legislation. It is why the work being done by Dove and the CROWN Coalition is so incredibly crucial; and we are proud to extend our work from the workplace to schools and pools.”
ENDING HAIR DISCRIMINATION IN POOLS
“FINA’s original ruling against a specific swim cap just highlights the issue that Black swimmers have in this sport,” said National Urban League’s President Marc Morial. “This decision by FINA shows a lack of historical and emotional awareness for the Black community. The work we are doing with The CROWN Act is important because it shows the education that needs to happen in our country to end hair discrimination in schools, the workplace and now in pools; this has got to stop.”
“FINA’s decision was made from a lack of cultural perspective and representation, which ended up having greater implications. One being subconsciously discouraging swimmers with natural hair; making them feel like they don’t have a place in the sport on the international stage,” highlighted Lia Neal, a two-time US Olympic swimming medallist and founder of Swimmers for Change. “The CROWN Act is an important step toward awareness for inclusivity and representation in pools and boardrooms alike.”
As the “world’s leading resource for Black competitive swimmers, Black Kids Swim is committed to increasing Black participation in competitive swimming”, stated Ebony Rosemond, Executive Director of Black Kids Swim. “The talented young Black swimmers we work with every day are the future of swimming; and many of them have natural hair. Competitive caps that take natural Afro hair into consideration are already needed and in use. BKS applauds Soul Cap, Swimma Caps, Black Girls Swim and the many brands who recognised this need; and, years ago, sent a much-needed positive message of inclusion to our young swimmers.”
MAKING HAIR DISCRIMINATION ILLEGAL
Protective hairstyles such as braids, locs, twists and knots are important protective styles often worn by Black people. So members of the CROWN Coalition has been working hard to ensure that hair discrimination is illegal in the US with The CROWN Act. To date, 13 states and 30 municipalities have enacted The CROWN Act, or laws inspired by The CROWN Act, with a federal bill introduced in both chambers of US Congress in March 2021. It’s encouraging everyone to join the movement and help #PASSTHECROWN to end race-based hair discrimination in the US by signing the petition at: www.thecrownact.com.
As a founding member of The CROWN Coalition, Dove has championed The CROWN Act movement. The movement was created and driven by a team of Black women leaders; working with a village of women who share a desire to end discrimination. They include Esi Eggleston Bracey and Erin Goldson of Dove; Los Angeles County Supervisor, Holly J. Mitchell; and JOY Collective agency leaders, Kelli Richardson Lawson, Orlena Nwokah Blanchard and Adjoa B Asamoah as lead legislative strategist.
In the UK, Dove is also striving to accelerate work to help eradicate race-based hair discrimination; and campaign for legislative change with partners Emma Dabiri and Zina Alfa. They have both created petitions to make hair discrimination illegal under the UK Equalities Act. In 2021, the UK CROWN Fund was established with an investment of £170,000 in Black-led grassroots organisations, to help eliminate barriers to progress for women and girls in the Black community; empower the next generation and drive long-term systemic change. To help drive change in the UK, add your signature here.
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