Apparently, in Birmingham, Alabama, society is not as modern as most people would like to believe. On a recent visit to a restaurant in Birmingham, a black woman can still be mistreated. Aireal Bonner walked into a restaurant, sat down, and planned on having lunch. She was immediately harassed by business wait staff because they believed she had on a skimpy outfit. She was quickly asked to leave for violation of the establishment’s dress code. Sure, she had on a cropped summer top and shorts, but Bonner doubts it was her outfit that caused the uproar. She believed they escorted her out of the establishment because of the color of her skin and that it caused a negative effect on the caucasian wait staff.
On that day Bonner wore a trendy crocheted top that the employees thought was inappropriate for the restaurant. The staff asked her to cover her bikini top with a t-shirt to be able to remain in the establishment. Bonner started recording a video and asked the manager to show her where the dress code was posted for the public to see. The manager informed her that they did not post the dress code. However, because the restaurant was a private business, they could refuse service to anyone. The showdown ended with the manager threatening to call the police unless she left.
Bonner made a statement on her Facebook post that she was threatened with police force because she went into a restaurant wearing a tastefully revealing top. None of the customers made the complaint or joined in on the argument. This was just the way the owner decided who he wanted to serve.
Bonner suggests that it was not her clothing alone that caused the manager to get upset and call the police on her. Bonner doubted that her top was the only reason the restaurant threatened to call the police on her and believes that if she had been white, she would not have been harassed. After having the incident posted on Facebook, the restaurant posted that Bonner top was not appropriate attire, but did apologize for targetting the woman because the focus on the new policy was not well implemented. They should have talked to her when she first came into the establishment rather than when she was sitting down. They apologized for interrupting her meal and understand how it made her feel uncomfortable, but they would be implementing more rigid protocols at the door.
