Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Black customers file $100 million civil rights lawsuit against Cracker Barrel restaurants
AP ^ | 12-13-01 | Christopher Newton

Posted on 12/13/2001 6:58:15 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer

Edited on 04/13/2004 2:39:12 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Twenty-one people filed a $100 million federal lawsuit against Cracker Barrel restaurants Thursday, accusing the nationwide chain of widespread racism, from segregating black customers in the smoking section to denying them service.

It was the largest civil rights lawsuit against a restaurant chain since Denny's settled a $46 million discrimination lawsuit in 1994.


(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: michaeldobbs
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 221-229 next last
To: mafree
I'm black and have eaten at Cracker Barrel restaurants in the Midwest- never a problem, good service, good food. If I don't like the place I don't go back- it's that simple.

I'm white and have always had good service at Cracker Barrels. I can't remember seeing many black waitresses, but I've been served by at least one black waitress.

There may be a few rotten eggs in any chain. Thank you for your common sense. I don't go back to most restaurants because of lousy service, but have always had good luck at this chain. In general, the service industry is really lacking in civility and customer service.

It could have been discrimation, but it may also be the same thing all of us are experiencing in today's society.

161 posted on 12/13/2001 1:46:33 PM PST by FR_addict
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Smogger
Any customer that has discovers he has been served food from the garbage can of a restaraunt has my approval to torch the place with the owners in it.

Now I know that none of that Catholic education made an impression on you.

162 posted on 12/13/2001 1:48:18 PM PST by BlessedBeGod
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 122 | View Replies]

To: Silly
Bookmarked for further comment later on tonite....
163 posted on 12/13/2001 1:49:12 PM PST by Neets
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 126 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
With a name like Cracker Barrel they were bound to be targetted by PUSH.
164 posted on 12/13/2001 1:49:55 PM PST by Demidog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RichardW
Rich... I'm sure that it was just the waitress. The manager was doing his best to remedy the problem with tables on her side. I haven't given up. It's the only place that I can get a double order of grits, country ham, red-eye gravy, 2 eggs sunny side up and biscuits while on the road. I always look for the CB sign.
165 posted on 12/13/2001 1:51:11 PM PST by Capt_Hank
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 158 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
The Cracker Barrel needs a name change . But,then some farmer dude from Ga. might be offended .

The turnip greens will be tasty even if they call it the Equal Opportunity Barrel .

166 posted on 12/13/2001 1:53:51 PM PST by Stopspin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
oh, those evil 'crackers'! do the waiters have whips?

remember in the clint eastwood movie 'escape from alcatraz' when he was going up the steps and the black guy says 'where you goin', cracker'?

isn't that a racist comment?

167 posted on 12/13/2001 1:56:36 PM PST by rockfish59
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MichaelP
Mike every restaurant need a camera taping the people coming in and leaving..the tapes have to be stored . There was a case a couple years ago when a black family tired to sue..they said they were treated rudely. They charged whites were seated first and that they waited an hour then left.

The restaurant pulled out the tape...they came in ,put their name on a list..went to the rest rooms then left..Case dismissed..

I do not believe these cases.

168 posted on 12/13/2001 1:57:54 PM PST by RnMomof7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: BlessedBeGod
Now I know that none of that Catholic education made an impression on you

Nice catch. No I wouldn't actually kill the owners and burn the place to the ground. Though I can imagine being angry enough to do so. More than likely I would just find an attorney sue their butts off.

169 posted on 12/13/2001 1:59:53 PM PST by Smogger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 162 | View Replies]

To: RnMomof7
"I'm black and have eaten at Cracker Barrel restaurants in the Midwest- never a problem, good service, good food. If I don't like the place I don't go back- it's that simple."

Exactly. The "Reverend" Jackson has done almost as much damage to the black community as Bill Clinton has done to this country. These race warlords need to focus on real issues and get real jobs, not shaking down companies. Where did Jessie get his millions from I wonder? Maybe this all has something to do with the title of the restaurant...cmon "Cracker Barrell"

170 posted on 12/13/2001 2:00:50 PM PST by Frances_Marion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 168 | View Replies]

To: RnMomof7
I do not believe these cases

Denny's settled their class action discrimination suit brought by (among other people) Secret Service agents for 46 million dollars. More importantly they made sweeping corporate policy changes.

You don't settle for 46 million if your completely innoncent.

171 posted on 12/13/2001 2:03:21 PM PST by Smogger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 168 | View Replies]

To: Frances_Marion
We do not have a local Cracker Barrel,but recently I ate at one out of town with a "mixed" group..we were seated promptly and served with respect..the fact we were a mixed race group did cause them to miss a beat..BTW I loved the food:>)
172 posted on 12/13/2001 2:04:27 PM PST by RnMomof7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 170 | View Replies]

To: Smogger
I think there may be instances of individual problems..but to say a corporation has a policy is silly..they think green

I think Denny's settled because it was cheaper than the harrasment....and make no mistake that is just what it was,ala JJ

173 posted on 12/13/2001 2:07:53 PM PST by RnMomof7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 171 | View Replies]

Everyone on this thread needs to beg, borrow or steal (well maybe not steal) a copy of "Raging Bully" by Bobby Slayton...keep in mind they call him the "pit bull of comedy"

He has a good take on the whole Denny's issue.

174 posted on 12/13/2001 2:13:33 PM PST by KneelBeforeZod
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: RnMomof7
I think there may be instances of individual problems..but to say a corporation has a policy is silly..they think green

I think Denny's settled because it was cheaper than the harrasment....and make no mistake that is just what it was,ala JJ

A company is made up of individuals. If indviduals who manage the company allow their employees and other managers to ILLEGALLY discriminate against other employees or customers than they are committing a crime.

Only idiots would put a policy of discrimination in writing. So the whole thing is based on people's actions. If you are a manager and you are constantly getting complaints that an employee is discriminating and you do nothing about it then you have made yourself and the company liable.

They only way something an institution like a company can feel pain is to cost them money. Once they have to fork over 100 million or so the stockholders on down will start looking for people to fire.

175 posted on 12/13/2001 2:16:49 PM PST by Smogger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 173 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
Much of the lawsuit focuses on the statements of black customers, recounting how they were forced to wait while white customers were promptly seated.

It was the largest civil rights lawsuit against a restaurant chain since Denny's settled a $46 million discrimination lawsuit in 1994.

I smell phony lawsuit.

Denny's Serves Up a Winning Video

Denny's Catches Phony Discrimination Claim on Video

176 posted on 12/13/2001 2:20:15 PM PST by lowbridge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Phantom Lord
From what I remember, the film from these cameras has already been used against people filing lawsuits against them. One case I remember involved a group of blacks who said they were forced to wait a long time for a table while white customers were seated promptly. Well, Dennys whipped out the tape, showed that they were seated immediatly and the suit was tossed.

bump

177 posted on 12/13/2001 2:22:59 PM PST by lowbridge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Labyrinthos
Where I live, its not the black people who behave that way, but the rich, spoiled white kids who attend the local colleges.

When I was younger I put myself through school delivering pizzas. Teenagers were unlikely to tip no matter what race. Most blacks did tip, however, Blacks were more likely not to tip than whites.

178 posted on 12/13/2001 2:34:02 PM PST by liberalism=failure
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 151 | View Replies]

Comment #179 Removed by Moderator

To: Oldeconomybuyer
Plain extortion. I do not believe anything like this happened at all. Just the same old shakedown game. These people have no shame.
180 posted on 12/13/2001 2:42:47 PM PST by wingnuts'nbolts
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 221-229 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson