At Six Flags, the Don'ts of Dos

"The law is not crystal clear on these grooming issues . . . ," she said. "If the employer only singles out a particular ethnic style and lets people wear other hairstyles, you might have a claim of race or ethnic discrimination."

But Johnston said the courts have not recognized an employee being harmed unless a dismissal or other adverse action occurs.

ACLU of Maryland spokeswoman Meredith Curtis said her organization is interviewing Six Flags workers, but she declined to discuss details until the inquiry is concluded.

Bivins, who just graduated from Largo High School, worked at Six Flags for two years sporting his plaits along with his colorful uniform, running rides and working as a costumed character until he was told to change his hairstyle. After having his hair cut and braided, he was sent home April 22 and told not to return until his hair was even shorter. He has not gone back.

Boyd said she learned of her supervisor's concerns one day after her mother dropped her off. "They said I couldn't come into the park until my hair was braided down or cut," said Boyd, of Waldorf, who had worn locks the previous year. "My mom ended up braiding it for me in the parking lot."

Supervisors called her style "unprofessional and inappropriate," she said. So for the next two weeks she wore a wig. "Then they told me I couldn't wear the wig, which was kind of sandy-colored, because it wasn't my natural hair color."

Now she simply wears her locks, which she said is a reflection of her heritage and pride.

"It's a cultural offense," Boyd said of the park's policy. "They say dreadlocks are an extreme hairstyle, and that's not true. That is the biggest misconceptions of African Americans now -- with our hair. Whenever they talk about our hair, the styles and texture, it's always something negative.

"They are telling me I have to change something about me. They are telling me I have to change what I am. I won't do that."