For the first time ever I have rescinded a blog post. Yesterday I wrote about the summer fun activity of going to a theme park with family and noted a deal available from Walmart to purchase discounted tickets for Six Flags. In the comments, my friend Brooke of Jewelry Rockstar wrote that she is boycotting Six Flags and linked to this article in Essence magazine. Apparently, two women in Maryland were denied employment with Six Flags because their hair is loc'd. If you are not familiar with locs, just check out my hair.
Locs. Although many people have mistaken my hair for braids, my hair is actually "locked" and I cannot simply unbraid my hair. If I want to change the style completely I will have to cut it all off. I have been wearing my hair like this for over ten years and in my personal experience have never been discriminated against because of my choice of hairstyle. In my last full time position I was the head of a top governmental agency, represented Georgia on the federal level and was never questioned about my ability to do my job as a result of my hair style. However, despite my Masters Degree, work experience internationally and domestically, if for some reason I wanted to work at Six Flags, I would be unable to do so because of my hair.
I cannot support an company that has implemented this type of discriminatory policy that will overwhelmingly apply to people that not only wear their hair like I do but are also African American.There are numerous teenagers that wear their hair like I do and a summer position at Six Flags would be perfect. Except, it is not. According to Six Flags
I find the use of the word "dreadlocks" offensive too but that is commentary for another blog post. Ultimately, until policies like this one are challenged these types ofpractices will continue. I sincerely apologize for posting about Six Flags yesterday, I will not be visiting their parks and I encourage you to do the same.
