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Two women are outraged after they say they were denied jobs at Six Flags because of their dreadlocks in Largo, Md., an area with a 93 percent African American population.
Janet Bello, 23, (pictured above left) says when she applied for a part-time job at Six Flags in Largo, she was told her "locks" hairstyle disqualified her from employment.
She says a supervisor told her management is adhering strictly this year to a years-old corporate grooming policy that considers dreadlocks to be an extreme hairstyle. Bello considers the characterization to be offensive:
"I think it's outrageous, and I really think it's sad. ... I think Six Flags can literally, excuse my French, go to hell."
ABC 7 News obtained a copy of Six Flags' grooming standards for employees, which states that the company does not permit "any hairstyle that detracts or takes away from Six Flags' theme."
Not sure what the Six Flags' theme is or how dreadlocks could detract or not detract from that theme.
A spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union believes that defining locked hair as inherently unprofessional is racially insensitive at best -- and potentially discriminatory at worst.
Sixty-year-old Jackie Sherrill (pictured above right) says she worked at Six Flags last summer and received a letter earlier this year asking her to come back. She says when a supervisor saw that Sherrill had locks, though, she was told she would not be welcome back unless she changed her appearance -- despite the fact that she had the same hairstyle last year.
Six Flags issued a statement to ABC News:
"Six Flags enforces a conservative grooming policy across all parks. The policy does not permit certain hairstyles such as variations in hair colors, dreadlocks, partially shaved heads, tails, and hairstyles that impair vision. Braided hair is allowed but must be in neat, even rows and without beads or other ornaments."
The ACLU says it had similar inquiries about Six Flags Largo's dreadlocks policy in 2006.
ABC 7 News obtained a copy of Six Flags' grooming standards for employees, which states that the company does not permit "any hairstyle that detracts or takes away from Six Flags' theme."
Not sure what the Six Flags' theme is or how dreadlocks could detract or not detract from that theme.
A spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union believes that defining locked hair as inherently unprofessional is racially insensitive at best -- and potentially discriminatory at worst.
Sixty-year-old Jackie Sherrill (pictured above right) says she worked at Six Flags last summer and received a letter earlier this year asking her to come back. She says when a supervisor saw that Sherrill had locks, though, she was told she would not be welcome back unless she changed her appearance -- despite the fact that she had the same hairstyle last year.
Six Flags issued a statement to ABC News:
"Six Flags enforces a conservative grooming policy across all parks. The policy does not permit certain hairstyles such as variations in hair colors, dreadlocks, partially shaved heads, tails, and hairstyles that impair vision. Braided hair is allowed but must be in neat, even rows and without beads or other ornaments."
The ACLU says it had similar inquiries about Six Flags Largo's dreadlocks policy in 2006.
Even in 2010, with an African American president, Six Flags is not the first corporate company to do this, and, sadly, probably won't be the last. In 2000, Federal Express Corporation, better known as FedEx, fired several of its New York employees who refused to cut their dreadlocks.
The employees cited religious expression, but FedEx showed them the door. In 2006, FedEx reached a settlement that included recognizing dreadlocks worn for religious reasons.
The employees cited religious expression, but FedEx showed them the door. In 2006, FedEx reached a settlement that included recognizing dreadlocks worn for religious reasons.
In North America, it is the right of an employer to enforce grooming standards that comply with the image the company wants to portray to the public, including long hair for men, shaved heads and colorful hair. The law will typically land on the side of on an employer if the hairstyle is being worn for fashionable reasons as opposed to religious ones.
Do you think it's fair to discriminate against employees for the hairstyles they wear, particularly natural styles like braids, shaved heads and dreadlocks?
Comments: (287)
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By: AngelaMichelle on 4/21/2010 12:07PM
The title of the article is misleading, since neither woman was actually "fired" from a position with Six Flags. But that's neither here nor there.
While it is sad and regrettable that such low key discrimination practices are still in place in corporate America (and at an AMUSEMENT PARK no less), if it is truly about the hair styles being against company grooming standards then it is what it is. What needs to be looked at is whether certain extreme "white" hairstyles (i.e. mohawks, various colours, locks, braids, etc.) receive the same sort of employment denials. If Six Flags "discriminates" against hair style across the board then no matter how unfair the practice may seem, it is their right. If not, then there is a real problem that extends beyond accepted grooming standards. Maybe that should be looked at, instead of the surface story.
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By: Mrs. DMS on 4/21/2010 2:23PM
I've got to go with the "get over it" crowd. Seriously, when a company is a private one, most corporate companies are, then they can set the "dress code" to be whatever they require. Just making things up as you go along is unacceptable, but if they have a written dress code, and most do, they will not hire men with long hair, or anyone wearing the dreadlock style, then so be it. Now think about it. Would you really want to work there if they could not embrace the true you? I wouldn't. As others have intelligently pointed out, one lady's hair is on point, the other one is not, at all. Being once a member of corporate management, with certain hair styles and colors, especially any type of braided styles, it may help, would be to pull them back or pull them up, neatly coiffed.
But then there IS the other side to this. Maybe YOU thought you interviewed well, but the interviewer, may have had another experience during your interview, regarding you. Some of us really have high opinions of ourselves, as we should, but what about if there is really just a better candidate than you? In this stiff economy, and yes even for industries that people wouldn't normally look into working, competition is stiff! Don't wear your feelings on your sleeve. I am a living witness that if you keep applying yourself, keep you nose to the grind, you will find the job for you!
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By: sandi on 4/21/2010 3:13PM
you silly complacent negroes. probably skinning and grinning in boss' face in a corporate office right as I type. you have just completely bought into the white is right mentality, haven't you? private corporations are NOT exempt from federal discrimination laws. despite being private they do NOT have the right to tell someone your African-inspired dreads aren't professional. did you forget the civil rights act, or do you think black people were wrong for bothering massa to "ax" for that too. SMH
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By: Mrs. DMS on 4/21/2010 3:44PM
Sandy, we didn't say they were exempt from discrimination but where is it proven that these ladies were denied the job because of their hairstyle only? Let it be known, as I thought I clearly stated, I wear my hair the way I want and right now, they are in KINKY twists and I work in a firm that is well known. I don't skin and grin in NO ONE'S face so know of what you speak BEFORE you do. My firm is not black owned, but they also don't have a problem with how I wear my hair. I will say this again, if the dreads are neatly pinned upward, in a coif, this may not pose an issue. Also, there are many "ethnic" hairstyles that corporations do deem acceptable. The point is just as I put it. We don't make the rules, but I know I am a dayum good player. I make my money and pay my bills and yet, I don't feel any less black than anyone else. You or no one else is paying ONE bill for me, so think what you will. At the end of the day, start your own company, build your own business, work from home, like I also do part-time, but sitting around complaining about how you weren't hired because of your hairstyle accomplishes what?????
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By: alice clark on 4/22/2010 7:06AM
A LOT OF DREAD LOCK HAIR STYLES LOOK LIKE
THEY HAVE NOT BEEN WASHED IN YEARS.
BRAIDS SEEM TO BE OKAY AS LONG AS THEY
ARE NEAT AND CLEAN LOOKING. SOME BRAIDS LOOK
LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE HEAD FOR MONTHS
AND NOT WASHED FOR YEARS. AND YES I AM BLACK!
ALSO, SOME DREAD LOCKS LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE A
MOP ON THEIR HEADS. SOME LOOK REALLY BAD
AND DIRTY
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By: PJChicago on 4/22/2010 8:11AM
The title says they denied jobs to the women, not that they were fired. While the older woman's hair should not have been a problem because it is not extreme nor is it unkempt or unprofessional, I would classify the younger woman's hairdo as both extreme and unprofessional. "Ghetto fabulous" is not professional.
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By: Renee on 4/24/2010 8:09PM
I don't know what your title was, but mine said 'Six Flags Denies Jobs to 2 Women Based on Natural Hair'. It did not mention that either lady had been employed by them or fired from their company. How was the title misleading? Just curious.
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By: Simzee on 4/24/2010 10:51AM
I'd bet just about anything that if someone, guy or girl, was walking down the street covered in tattoo's , you'd all get very nervous & walk away real quick. You know you would. Die lie.
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By: sugarcreekchile on 4/24/2010 11:20AM
It's only discriminatory if acceptable grooming standards are not applied across the board to all comers regardless of race. A company has an image to protect and can set dress codes and grooming standards.
I've noticed black American mothers posting comments on how their children didn't get jobs when wearing dreads but were hired at great jobs after changing to more conservative hairstyles.
As a white mother, I can assure you the discrimination based on hairstyles applies to our kids, too. My son, several years ago, had clean long, light brown locks nicely streaked blonde with a natural curl that he would straighten with a hot iron. It was a "cool" look but even with the straightening, he looked like "the lion king".
He decided to join the military to be able to go to college when his enlistment was up. The Army and Marine recruiters treated him with little respect based on his appearance which he resented.
The Navy recruiters, however, were not as readily dismissive and were pleasantly surprised when "the lion king" with an alternative school diploma who rode up on a hot, sports bike tested so high he qualified for the Seals. He chose not to go into Seals but into another highly selective area of the Navy. He'll finish his enlistment this year and will go to college; but, even without his degree, his technical training would earn him $40,000 to $50,000 a year.
The point is, regardless of race, certain hairstyles are considered extreme, even by the military which is not as selective as corporate America. Even though they may be missing out on a great employee, employers are not willing to take a chance on someone whose appearance deviates from the conventional, conservative norm.
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By: dread the dreads on 4/24/2010 6:38PM
angelmichelle, that was very well put. I am in total agreement with you on that.
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