Denny’s In Pennsylvania Sued By 5 Black Women For Racial Discrimination – Black Enterprise

Report on Racial Discrimination Allegations Against Denny’s Corporation

Incident Overview and Legal Action

A lawsuit has been filed against a Denny’s restaurant in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, alleging racial discrimination. The legal action was initiated by five Black women following an incident on January 14, 2024. The case highlights significant challenges to achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning equality and justice.

• Plaintiffs: Daniella Bonhomme, Tatiana Poulard, Aminique Kirnon, Selina Sacasa, and Quantavia Grant.
• Allegation: The women were denied service under the pretext of an electrical issue (“flickering lights”).
• Contradiction: Upon entering the premises to use the restroom, the plaintiffs observed that the restaurant was operational and serving exclusively white patrons.
• Legal Filing: A lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, citing blatant racial discrimination as the basis for being denied service.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

The core of the lawsuit directly addresses the aims of SDG 10, which calls for the reduction of inequality within and among countries. The alleged actions represent a direct contravention of the goal’s targets for ensuring equal opportunity and eliminating discriminatory practices.

1. Target 10.2: The incident describes a failure to promote the social and economic inclusion of all, irrespective of race. The legal action taken by the plaintiffs is an effort to challenge this exclusion and uphold the principles of universal inclusion.
2. Target 10.3: The lawsuit seeks to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome by challenging a discriminatory practice that created an unequal service environment based on race.
3. Corporate Responsibility: This case underscores the critical role of the private sector in advancing SDG 10. Corporate policies and employee actions in public-facing businesses are fundamental to building inclusive and equitable societies.

Implications for SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The plaintiffs’ recourse to the legal system demonstrates the function of SDG 16, which promotes access to justice for all and the building of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. The lawsuit serves as a mechanism for holding a corporate entity accountable for alleged violations of non-discriminatory laws.

• Access to Justice: By filing a federal lawsuit, the women are utilizing judicial institutions to seek remedy for an alleged injustice, a fundamental tenet of SDG 16.
• Rule of Law: The case relies on the enforcement of national laws prohibiting racial discrimination in public accommodations, reinforcing the importance of the rule of law.
• Institutional Accountability: The legal proceedings aim to hold Denny’s Corporation accountable for its operational practices and the conduct of its staff, thereby strengthening institutional frameworks for justice.

Intersectional Dimensions and Corporate Precedent

The incident also touches upon other SDGs and is framed by the corporation’s historical record on discrimination. This context is crucial for understanding the broader implications for sustainable development.

• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): As the plaintiffs are all Black women, the case highlights the intersectional nature of discrimination, where race and gender combine to create unique barriers, an issue central to the goals of SDG 5.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth requires that businesses operate equitably. Discriminatory service practices undermine social cohesion and sustainable business models.
• Historical Context: Denny’s Corporation has a documented history of discrimination, including a 1994 class-action lawsuit that resulted in a $54 million settlement. This precedent raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of corporate commitments to equality and non-discrimination.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article directly addresses SDG 10 by focusing on an incident of racial discrimination. The core issue is the unequal treatment of five Black women who were denied service at a Denny’s restaurant, a clear violation of the principle of reducing inequalities based on race. The lawsuit alleges they were “humiliatingly denied seating and service… simply because of the color of their skin,” which is the central theme of this goal.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is relevant because the article details the women’s pursuit of justice through the legal system. By filing a lawsuit in the “United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania,” they are seeking to hold the institution (Denny’s) accountable for its discriminatory practices. This highlights the importance of access to justice for all and the role of strong institutions in upholding non-discriminatory laws. The article also points to institutional failures, noting Denny’s history of discrimination, including a “$54 million” class-action settlement in 1994.

2. Specific Targets Identified

Targets under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… race, ethnicity… or other status.” The denial of service to the five Black women is a direct example of social and economic exclusion based on race. The restaurant’s actions prevented them from participating in a service available to others, specifically the “white customers enjoying their meals.”
• Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory… policies and practices.” The lawsuit is a direct action aimed at eliminating the discriminatory practice at this Denny’s location. The article describes the alleged false reason for denial of service (“the lights are flickering”) as a “pretext for blatant racial discrimination,” a practice this target aims to eliminate.

Targets under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The women’s action of filing a lawsuit demonstrates their use of the legal system to seek redress. This is a clear example of exercising their right to equal access to justice to challenge the violation of their civil rights.
• Target 16.b: “Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.” The lawsuit itself is an attempt to enforce non-discriminatory laws that protect individuals from racial discrimination in public accommodations. The incident highlights a failure to adhere to such policies by the restaurant, and the legal action seeks to enforce them.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

• The article does not cite official SDG indicators, but it provides information that can serve as qualitative or proxy indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets.
• Indicator for Targets 10.3 and 16.b: The number and nature of discrimination-related lawsuits filed against corporations. The article explicitly mentions that the women “are suing the Pennsylvania restaurant for racial discrimination” and that the “paperwork was recently filed.” This lawsuit is a measurable data point indicating that discriminatory practices are being challenged.
• Indicator for Targets 10.3 and 16.b: Historical data on legal settlements for discriminatory practices. The article provides a specific historical indicator by mentioning that “The restaurant chain settled a class-action lawsuit in 1994 for $54 million after numerous allegations of the practice.” This serves as a benchmark for understanding the persistence of institutional discrimination.
• Indicator for Target 16.3: The utilization of the justice system by marginalized groups. The act of the women securing legal representation (“Kyle Platt, who is representing the women”) and filing a federal lawsuit is an implicit indicator of their ability to access the justice system to address grievances.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: blackenterprise.com