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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: (284)
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By: charles wallace on 4/21/2010 7:06PM
Don't support Six Flags and its racism!
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By: Mark on 4/24/2010 7:27AM
How is it racism? Stop whining!
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By: just on 4/21/2010 7:32PM
No, I don't think it's fair to discriminate against employees for the hairstyles they wear, particularly natural styles like braids, shaved heads and dreadlocks? A bald head can be hereditary, religious or an illness.
I've seen one white woman in corporate america with RAINBOW dreads and another (a ruff round the edges lesbian type) with soft spikes and black lipstick... one was a lawyer one was a banker. Of course I questioned the white woman with dreads - I was told - she was hired because of her skills. They certainly would not discriminate against a gay-biker looking white woman.
So whats wrong with Six Flags? They're stuck in some racist assimilation b.s. I hope both women get their due.
Typical, unmixed African hair does not hang limp..it grows up and out..why can't corporate america ( or america for that matter) accept the beauty in that image?
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By: blackbear72 on 4/21/2010 9:14PM
Just, a bald head is not a shaved head. Both the woman you described do not work for Six Flags, so how do they have anything to do with the article? I bet both would not be hired by SF. You want your child to be helped onto a amusement park ride by someone who looks like a gay biker? Not me.
Why did you question the White woman with the dreads? If you did question it then you agree with SF. SF is racist for not allowing dreadlocks on anyone, but you aren't for questioning the employer about a white woman with dreadlocks? Which one is it, you are ok with DLs or your not ok with them? I think with you, it depends on the color of the person, is that correct?
I did not insult you so please try to answer without insulting me!
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By: just me on 4/23/2010 9:06PM
I am a black professional woman. I really don't think I would automatically call this a racist policy or attack on african americans. Dreadlocks are extreme hairstyles, like it or not. We all have to adhere to certain standards an policies. Everyone who works in a professional setting as to be in compliance in one way or the other. Just as they dont allow bright red or green hairstyles they shouldn't allow dreads....If you want to wear them, fine, don't expect all of us to like them or want them representing our company. Today, there are so many products and services available to all people. If you want a job that is in a public setting, comply with grooming standards, its that simple. Keep your ratical idea of fashion, beauty or style- at home!
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By: patti777 on 4/22/2010 3:12PM
Thank you!
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By: blackbear72 on 4/21/2010 9:02PM
The question below the article states "do you think it is fair to discriminate against natural hair styles, such as braids, shaved heads or dread locks?" That is a very poorly worded question. It is not discrimination, it is a policy, how are braids a natural hair style, do braids happen naturally? They don't. How is a shaved head natural? For a head to be shaved, someone has to shave it, therefor it is not natural. Dreadlocks are natural, but most company's whos employees are in the public, do not allow them, especially a company like Six Flags, who caters to family's.
How is any of this racist? The shaved head policy most likely is done to not offend minority customers who might equate a shaved head to a skinhead. ALL skinheads are white, but it is not racist.
The writer states that she doesn't know what the Six Flags theme might be, really? Most people would understand that the theme is family entertainment. Most people, of any color or race, would prefer an employee of a theme park to be neat, clean and conservatively dressed and groomed. No one will ever complain that a park employee is dressed or groomed too neatly or conservatively.
Besides, both woman's hair looked very bad, like spiders were on their heads. The younger one was not very intelligent in the video either, stating the the park doesn't refuse entry to someone with this hair style, so how can it not let an employee have this hair style. Does she really not know the difference? An employee who doesn't know the difference between an employee and a paying customer, could not be a good employee.
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By: Marie on 5/22/2010 10:03PM
braids are natural, they say that because u must have your hair natural in order to get braids. u sound so ignorant, because you're talking about hair that you really don't get and yet u still have an opinion on it is surprising. and the other part with the hair looking like "spiders" is really rude and offensive my close friend has locks and they look very neat
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By: chzz on 4/22/2010 1:21AM
I'm a strong advocate for natural hair and I've worn mine natural for ten years.So,I don't care for this policy as it pertains to dreadlocks.
However,after my initial outrage,I think this is about the right of any employer to set a dress code.Just as there are dress codes for the military or schools.We just can't live as we like 24-7.That's life in the real world.
It's not racist either because these hairstyles are worn by all racial groups.If a young,white male came in with a shaved head,it's a natural style.Is he a neo-Nazi?Possibly and a black employee may have something to complain about.
We need to stop coloring every issue.
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By: ALICE CLARK on 4/22/2010 7:05AM
YOUR COMMENTS ARE SO TRUE, EVERYTIME
A BLACK PERSON GETS REPRIMANDED ABOUT
SOMETHING, HERE WE GO AGAIN, YOUR
PICKING ON ME BECAUSE I AM BLACK
I AM SICK OF HEARING IT.
AND YES I AM BLACK.DREAD LOOK LIKE MOPS AND
MOSTLY THEY LOOK DIRTY, LIKE THEY HAVE
NOT BEEN COMBED FOR MONTHS OR WASHED
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