Aireal Bonner, a Birmingham resident, claims she was racially discriminated against and unfairly removed from Southern Kitchen & Bar due to her attire.
Bonner alleges that she was asked to leave the restaurant after refusing to cover her crocheted top, which the restaurant deemed a “bikini top” in violation of its dress code. However, Bonner believes her clothing was merely a pretext for discrimination.
“My clothing was an excuse to not have me dine there,” Bonner told CBS 42. “I think the biggest issue with my appearance is that I look very Afro-centric. My hair is an Afro texture. The way that I dress is Afro-centric. So I believe that because they can’t directly say things like ‘We don’t like the color of your skin, we don’t like the way that your hair looks,’ my clothing was just used as an excuse.”
Southern Kitchen & Bar initially defended their actions, stating that Bonner’s attire violated their dress code. However, they later issued an apology, acknowledging that the timing of the confrontation was inappropriate and that they needed to improve their policy implementation.
Despite the apology, Bonner remains unsatisfied, claiming it is insufficient and calling for a boycott of the restaurant.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about racial discrimination and the enforcement of dress codes in public establishments.