MOTHER OF FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHAMPIONS AGAINST HAIR DISCRIMINATION

Ida Nelson’s son, Gus “Jett” Hawkins is the inspiration behind the Jett Hakwins Act, which bans schools from making rules about hairstyles, including those associated with race, ethnicity or hair texture. Photo provided by Ida Nelson
Ida Nelson’s son, Gus “Jett” Hawkins is the inspiration behind the Jett Hakwins Act, which bans schools from making rules about hairstyles, including those associated with race, ethnicity or hair texture. Photo provided by Ida Nelson

 Mother of four-year-old champions against hair discrimination

BY TIA CAROL JONES

     Ida Nelson’s four-year-old son Gus “Jett” Hawkins is the inspiration behind recent legislation that would ban schools from making rules about hairstyles, including those associated with race, ethnicity or hair texture.
     Illinois Senate Bill 817 was sponsored by Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons, who wears his hair in freeform locs. This legislation comes at a time when several states are passing the CROWN Act, which makes it illegal to deny a person of employment and educational opportunities based on their hair texture, including Bantu Knots, braids, locs or twists.
     Nelson has also started a social media campaign where she talks about Black hair. According to her, Black and Brown children are being targeted and “there’s not one policy in any school handbook that bans straight hair.”
     Nelson added, she had heard all kinds of stories of Black children being discriminated against because of their hair. She said she sees a correlation between mental health outcomes and these types of hair policies. And, she said it is important for those children to be protected.
     Nelson said she wants to also change the understanding and dialogue for Black children. She said the legislation brings awareness that it is not okay to victimize Black children. She said she wants to do her part to strengthen the community, mentally.
     “It’s not enough to change these policies, we need to change the understanding that this is not just hair for us. Just like I can’t wash away the Blackness of my skin. I just can’t press away or perm away the health of my hair to fit into your standard of beauty,” she said.

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