A Mississippi jury awarded five Black strippers $3.3 million for back pay, past and future suffering after a federal judge ruled that they were forced to worked under worse conditions than their white counterparts.
The women are expected to split the money, however the attorney for Danny’s Downtown Cabaret told the Associated Press, that he intends to ask U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate – who called the company out on discrimination last year – to reduce the award. If Wingate refuses, the attorney said that they plan to appeal.
“Obviously, the client is disappointed in the verdict,” attorney Bill Walter said.
Danny’s was sued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission years ago, accusing the club of limiting when Black women could work and fined them $25 if they did not show up for their shift. White strippers, the commission alleged, had more flexible schedules and were not fined for missing their shifts.
Danny’s manager was also accused of using racial slurs toward a Black dancer. To top it all off, the owners of the club forced Black women to work at another club they owned, Black Diamonds, where conditions and security were worse and the dancers were paid less.
“This case shows the EEOC will sue any employer, operating any type of business, who violates federal anti-discrimination laws, especially those who will not stop discriminating even after being given repeated chances to do so,” Marsha Rucker, the EEOC’s regional attorney said in a statement. “The jury … sent a powerful message to Danny’s and any employer who thinks they are above the law.”