‘Because you all like to fight’: Nine Black women allege discrimination at Virginia steakhouse – TheGrio

Report on Discriminatory Incident at Chesapeake Restaurant in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

This report details an incident of alleged racial discrimination at the Cork and Bull Chophouse in Chesapeake, Virginia. Nine African American women were reportedly ejected from the establishment under discriminatory pretenses following an altercation in which they were not involved. This event directly contravenes the principles outlined in several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

2.0 Incident Analysis

The incident unfolded during a social dinner, escalating into a situation that highlights significant challenges to achieving social equity and justice.

2.1 Sequence of Events

1. A group of nine women gathered for a dinner at the restaurant.
2. A physical altercation occurred between two other patrons, who were also Black women, in a separate area of the dining room.
3. The individuals involved in the altercation reportedly left the premises before law enforcement arrived.
4. Restaurant management subsequently approached the table of the nine women and instructed them to leave.
5. When questioned, a manager allegedly stated, “We’re just not servicing you all, because you all like to fight,” attributing the actions of two individuals to the entire group based on a racial stereotype.
6. The group of nine was escorted out of the restaurant, while no other patrons were asked to leave, resulting in what they described as “hurt, embarrassment, and pure humiliation.”

3.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The actions reported in this incident represent a significant departure from the global commitment to sustainable development, particularly in the areas of social justice and equality.

3.1 SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The core of the complaint is a direct violation of the aims of SDG 10, which calls for the reduction of inequality and an end to discrimination.

• Target 10.2: The alleged actions failed to “empower and promote the social… inclusion of all, irrespective of… race, ethnicity… or other status.” The women were excluded from a public establishment based on a racial stereotype.
• Target 10.3: The incident undermines efforts to “ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory… practices.” The differential treatment of the group exemplifies a discriminatory practice that perpetuates systemic inequality.

3.2 SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The pursuit of legal action by the affected women and the response from civil society organizations underscore the importance of SDG 16, which aims to build accountable and inclusive institutions.

• Target 16.3: The lawsuit represents an effort to “promote the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice for all.” It seeks to use the legal system to address the injustice and hold the institution accountable.
• Target 16.B: The incident highlights the need to “promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.” The support from the NAACP Virginia State Conference reinforces the call for accountability and the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws that are crucial for building peaceful and just societies.

3.3 Intersectional Goals: SDG 5 and SDG 8

The incident also touches upon other interconnected development goals.

• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): As all individuals directly impacted were women of color, the event illustrates the intersectional nature of discrimination, where both race and gender contribute to marginalization, a key concern of SDG 5.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The case calls into question the role of private sector institutions in fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Businesses that engage in discriminatory practices undermine social cohesion and fail their responsibility to “treat your customers with dignity and respect.”

4.0 Conclusion

The alleged discriminatory treatment at the Cork and Bull Chophouse is a stark reminder of the persistent barriers to achieving equality and social justice. The legal action initiated by the nine women is a critical step toward holding institutions accountable and advancing the objectives of SDG 10 and SDG 16. For progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to be realized, such incidents of discrimination must be addressed through robust legal frameworks and a commitment from all sectors of society to uphold principles of equality and non-discrimination.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• This goal is central to the article, which details an incident of racial discrimination. The nine women were subjected to unequal treatment based on a racial stereotype. The restaurant management’s action of ejecting them, while not removing the actual perpetrators of a fight, highlights a clear case of inequality in service and treatment. The NAACP’s statement reinforces this, calling the incident “a painful reminder that racism remains embedded in our daily lives” and a perpetuation of “racial stereotypes.”

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is relevant because the women are seeking justice through the legal system to address the discrimination they faced. Their decision to pursue “legal action, citing racial discrimination and equal protection concerns” demonstrates an effort to use institutional mechanisms to ensure accountability and enforce non-discriminatory principles. The article focuses on the need to hold establishments accountable and ensure equal access to justice for all citizens.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Targets under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • The article directly relates to this target as the women were socially excluded from a public establishment based on their race. The manager’s statement, “We’re just not servicing you all, because you all like to fight,” is a clear act of exclusion based on a harmful stereotype, directly opposing the principle of social inclusion for all.
2. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.
   • The women’s lawsuit is an action aimed at eliminating a discriminatory practice. Their attorney states the treatment was “discriminatory and unjust” and that such behavior “has to stop.” By taking legal action, they are promoting action intended to ensure equal opportunity and treatment in public accommodations.

Targets under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • This target is addressed by the women’s response to the incident. By hiring an attorney and “pursuing legal action,” they are utilizing the legal framework to seek redress and ensure that the principles of justice and equal protection are applied to their case. This action exemplifies the process of seeking equal access to justice.
2. Target 16.B: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.
   • The entire conflict revolves around the violation of non-discriminatory principles. The legal case, supported by the NAACP, is a direct attempt to enforce laws against racial discrimination. The NAACP’s call to hold establishments “accountable” is a call for the enforcement of these non-discriminatory policies.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Implied Indicators

• Reports of discrimination based on prohibited grounds: The article itself is a detailed account of a discriminatory incident. The women’s testimony of being told to leave because “you all like to fight” serves as a qualitative indicator of perceived discrimination. Progress would be measured by a reduction in such reported incidents.
• Number of legal actions or lawsuits filed citing discrimination: The article explicitly mentions that the group is “pursuing legal action, citing racial discrimination and equal protection concerns.” The filing of such lawsuits can be tracked as a quantitative indicator of citizens using the justice system to challenge discriminatory practices.
• Public engagement by civil society organizations on issues of discrimination: The article notes that the “NAACP Virginia State Conference and the NAACP Chesapeake Branch have publicly backed the nine women.” The number and frequency of public statements and support actions from organizations like the NAACP serve as an indicator of societal efforts to enforce non-discriminatory policies and hold institutions accountable.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thegrio.com