Quote:1960's. African Americans were allowed in the store, but couldn't sit at the adjoined diner upstairs. Argument: It's my store, I do what I want. Court eventually ruled this unconstitutional as they were being "discriminated" against.

 

Was this wrong?

 

I have two answers for this.

 

First, a private business should have the "right to refuse service" to anyone.  After all, it's a privately owned and operated establishment.  They can make the rules, and if people don't like it, then they can refuse to do business with them.  If their refusal to do business with someone because of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or whatever causes them to lose business and eventually cause their business to fold, then it's their problem.  They should not be forced to do business with anyone under the law.

 

Personally, I disagree with the practice and would never want to see such a thing.  I personally don't discriminate against people because of "what" they are.

 

Now if it's a publicly traded company, then all bets are off.

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