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I doubt much of this goes on like you say. If you are like A & F, you are successful and you have a big bullseye on your back. I don't think as much damage was done as the settlement was for. A & F was just trying to avoid publicity. This seems to me just to be like the extortion shakedown racket that Jesse Jackson runs. I would look at any so-called "discrimination" lawsuits with just as much objectivity because I have seen some instances where parties have been unfairly accused and forced into settlements just to avoid publicity. It's all about the money, in the end. Some people are benefiting here that I don't think should.

Saying I am against racism would be true, but I don't say it in a defensive manner like most people do. I really mean it. I am skeptical of anything that involves Lawyers and millions of dollars. Anyone can understand that.

I can certainly agree with you that $40M is a ridiculous figure. Though I'm sure it's more about greedy lawyers trying to drive up their fees than an indicator of the injustice these people feel. Given JJ's record I can understand how people would have an immediate distaste for this sort of litigation. But the facts are readily available and it is clear there was a corporate policy of discrimination in place which was practiced in stores around the country. The lawsuit has a a basis in reality even if the payout does not.

In the end what matters is that the $40M gets their attention, and that of any other company that may want to engage in similar practices. Corporations are all about the bottom line and they need to understand that getting caught using illegal pratices (whether in hiring or bookkeeping) is going to cost a heck of a lot more that doing the right thing. So whether its discrimination or cooking the books, it's not just that it's illegal, it's immoral. I think we can all come together on the idea that corporations (and their customers) would be greatly serviced by four letters: WWJD.