[YankeeReb]

Sounds like another Oprah being dissed by a sales clerk story. Something doesn't pass the smell test here.

For one thing, why hasn't the NY Times picked this up and run with it?
Where's 0bama saying ,"This could have been my family."?

It fits the media template a little too perfectly.

[kabumpo]

Disagree. This is straight ahead racism, both the actions of the restaurant and many of the responses here. That’s why I always differ when people say “slavery ended x years ago, get over it, etc.” Because as long as the sight of people is repugnant/frightening to you, you are in the thrall of racism.