You may remember, a few weeks ago we posted a change.org petition on our fan page involving Six Flags and locs. We were able to catch up with the woman who created this petition and hear her account of what actually happened that day when she inquired about a job at the amusement park.
MarKeese Warner from Maryland says she was discriminated against because she has locs.
I decided to apply to Six Flags as a Penn State engineering student in search of a job for the summer. A week later a representative from Six Flags contacted me to inform me of the employee policy .
As part of that policy, the rep informed me that Six Flags has a strict policy against extreme hairstyles such as unnatural colors, Mohawks, and dreadlocks. He pursued in asking if I had any objections. I informed the rep of my objection due to me having dreadlocks. He hesitated, then asked if I would like to further the interviewing process. I simply said, “Yes” without any worries. The rep then required that I come to Six Flags for an interview that would be held the next day.
Arriving 15 minutes earlier than the appointed time, I was called into a classroom (by a black woman with curly hair) to begin the interview an hour later.
Before conducting the interview, she informed me of Six Flags’ extreme hair policy as well and added that I needed to comply with that policy.
I asked her “does complying with the policy means cutting my hair?”. She replied, “well that’s one way to do it, but I can’t tell you what to do with you hair.” I informed her that I can’t cut my hair; it is a representation of who I am, it’s my lifestyle- therefore I will not be able or willing to comply . She then told me that I could not continue the interviewing process because I can’t comply with the policy.
She even encouraged that I apply again for the position. I smiled and departed the room.
NH:Did you express to the Six Flags hiring manager that you felt you were being treated unfairly?
MW: This is something that has never happened to me before. Initially, I had mixed feelings. I wasn’t sure if I should have felt defeated because I couldn’t get the job; or if I should have been content because it’s the rules of the company. Either way, it was a feeling of discomfort and I did not express that because at the time, I wasn’t sure if I had the right to.
NH: Your petition has promoted awareness about discrimination in the work place. What advice do you have for someone that feels they are being treated unfairly?
MW: It is imperative that you stand up for your rights. Not only will the issue continue, but it will also expand amongst others who are experiencing the same problems. The problem may even evolve into something else. In standing up for your rights, you would be helping a great deal of others as well as yourself.
NH:Are you currently working? If you are/or aren’t has this experience effected how you approach hiring managers or decide to apply for certain jobs?
MW:I work for Busboys and Poets as a server. Its a restaurant that is promotes art, diversity, and activism. Tomorrow will be my second day in training and I already love it because they are extremely tolerable of “expressing yourself” in the workplace.
The incident with Six Flags has not effected my decision to apply to jobs. I am confident that I have a strong skill set that will only continue to grow during and after college. This incident has encouraged me and has taught me that I can a difference in anything.
NH: How long have you been natural and what was the defining moment when you decided to go natural and or loc your hair?
MW:I have been natural all of my life. However, October will reach the five year mark of me locking my hair.
After near academic failure and troubles that occurred in the freshman and sophomore years of high school, I realized that it was time to mature. I locked my hair as representation of a new commitment that I would have in my relationship with God and in my dedication to school. My locs are a representation of my spiritual, professional and emotional growth during the past 5 years
Thanks so much MarKeese for sharing your experience with us.
-Interview end-
So do you think MarKeese was discriminated against? or do you think this was just a work policy issue.
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