Women settle 11 million lawsuit with Napa Valley Wine Train

11 woman apparently settled out of court with Napa Valley Wine Train regarding their racial  case against them.  

The group of 11 women, 10 of them black and one white, filed the lawsuit two months after the episode in August, when the group was escorted off the train for laughing and talking too loudly, then met by police officers at the station where they disembarked. The confrontation went viral and inspired the hashtag #LaughingWhileBlack, where people shared stories of racial bias, particularly that encountered while traveling. The group sought $11 million in damages from the company after two of the women claimed they had lost their jobs as a result of the fallout, The San Jose Mercury News reported.

New York Times article

Obviously, they did not get the 11 million dollars that the media has hyped up. They settled out of court and are not disclosing the amount. In the original article, Napa Valley Wine Train spokesman stated to NYT that they throw some off of their train every month! 

Social media has blown up big time with divisive posts! Some are congratulating these women on winning and others, disparaging the fact that this is just another example of sue happy individuals making money off of pulling a race card. 

Admittedly, I am torn.  I can see where if you refuse to follow a warning given due to being too loud for other guests on train to enjoy their experience...repercussions will be enforced. 

Also, it seems that wine is being served and I can understand a bunch of women truly enjoying this new adventure and getting loud. I cannot see the racist discrimination though in this case. One of the ladies was white Caucasian too. 

I just find this to be another terribly frustrating example of why so many are looking at Trump to make America Great.  Even I recognize Trump is far from being a racists, bigot, etc. He does seem to look at ALL equally. Stories like in the article above seem to show there is a reversal occurring in America, not creating equality for all.  I am not saying there isn't racism and bigotry in America but definitely believe it is not the same level as the 60's. 

Prejudice may be higher recently though. Media has created a bias that seems to be creating this prejudicial bias, more recently. 

Also admittedly, I am not completely on board with Trump. I am hoping that he does connect with a VP who will soften his rawness and be knowledgeable in the political arena, domestically and globally.  

Honestly, I started with Sanders, then he showed he was willing to play poltics and divisive race card as any established politician. Sigh. I went with Kasich in my primary. 

Sheesh! I know I am ranting...guess I know what forum this needs to go in! I know from experience that if you are asked to quiet yourself down...out of respect for others...you do. Believe me, I was on a 4 hr ferry ride after being stuck on an island for a week and no amenities. The ferry served drinks and I was in a mood to celebrate my survival with 2 others picked up from the island. All was good except, the ferry loaded up from a touristy island on the way to the mainland and the other passengers just wanted to relax and enjoy the scenery. We were asked to quiet down. Guess what? Did we get tossed over board? No! Why? Because we acknowledged that we were not alone on the boat! 

What say you ATS? The women above seemed to have won the lottery. Do you think I can get loud and tossed out of a public venue and use my gender card? Or am I totally not understanding the real issue of racism?

a reply to: CynConcepts

I don't see how one can prove that someone was kicked off a train because they were "laughing while black", not unless the racism was admitted or the victims were psychic. The only evidence is the skin colors of those involved. What we have here is race-baiting for the purpose of coercion, and it worked. What's worse, the accused had to prove he wasn't guilty—reverse onus—instead of the other way around.

a reply to: CynConcepts

Napa valley, huh?

Wine is a sophisticated (stuck up) drink, you're supposed to 'taste it', (get drunk) but not show its effects.

Rich people alcoholism rule number 42.

The moral of the story?
Everything is about race.

a reply to: CynConcepts

Do you think I can get loud and tossed out of a public venue and use my gender card?

Why not?

Everyone needs to eat and If you can manage to get your piece of the pie by playing the system... well then more power to ya.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: CynConcepts

Napa valley, huh?

Wine is a sophisticated (stuck up) drink, you're supposed to 'taste it', (get drunk) but not show its effects.

Rich people alcoholism rule number 42.

Honestly, a good wine can really loosen me up as I stated in my OP. I don't think consideration of others is necessarily a rich people rule. It is strictly common courtesy even in the poor drunk classes. True, alcohol can effect many differently, but wine, beer, rum, whiskey, vodka, etc...has no bearing on class, race, or gender, as far as I know.

originally posted by: Subaeruginosa
a reply to: CynConcepts

Do you think I can get loud and tossed out of a public venue and use my gender card?

Why not?

Everyone needs to eat and If you can manage to get your piece of the pie by playing the system... well then more power to ya.

Honestly, I could not pull that card. I do believe in equality for all. To cry 'gender discrimination' and try to sue would be more harmful in gaining equal recognition, in my mind.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
The moral of the story?
Everything is about race.

No, I think the moral of the story falls more in line with 'crying wolf'. It is another exploitive example, that is creating a reverse prejudice and causing more harm than creating equality for all.

I've been on that train.... it's meant to be an upscale experience for everyone, but it is an event you should appreciate more than a black comedy show. It doesn't matter the passenger, if you are causing a disturbance for all the others who paid just the same then you need to be kicked off. I have no doubt a group of 10 or 11 drunk black women were probably loud and disturbing others in those small train cars. The program is designed for couples more than party groups and it's suggested you visit one of the wineries along the tour to drink away any frustrations you have. It's the same protocol as dismissing loud movie goers. The fact that these ghetto stars made some money off their basketball wife style behavior is an insult to all the good people of this world that do things the right way. How many of you have learned to control your drink like a mature f!cking adult by now???? So reward the morons screaming racism because they're too stupid to realize that they're subpar human beings? It's time for people to start standing up in public and calling these children out, abusers of the systems we've all learned to respect because without respect, it's anarchy. I'll tell some inconsiderate POS to stfu in public in a heartbeat and I hope others do the same. Tolerance of stupidity is the real issue.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: CynConcepts

Napa valley, huh?

Wine is a sophisticated (stuck up) drink, you're supposed to 'taste it', (get drunk) but not show its effects.

Rich people alcoholism rule number 42.

So says the neanderthal dragging the knuckles of one hand on the ground while shot gunning a 40 in the other. If you can't enjoy wine as well, you're just an amateur.

a reply to: Naabaahii

Just WOW! You had me in the beginning of your posts, but then, you went on a name calling rampage! Seriously? I must admit that attacks of such a nature are no different than being too PC! One cannot get others to understand a point of view if one doesn't give another time to absorb said information. Any normal person will instantly disregard even the sanest debate if you begin taunting the listeners or readers.

originally posted by: Naabaahii

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: CynConcepts

Napa valley, huh?

Wine is a sophisticated (stuck up) drink, you're supposed to 'taste it', (get drunk) but not show its effects.

Rich people alcoholism rule number 42.

So says the neanderthal dragging the knuckles of one hand on the ground while shot gunning a 40 in the other. If you can't enjoy wine as well, you're just an amateur.

Wine tastes like old fruit and dirty feet man, aquire that taste all you want, I'll pass.

a reply to: CynConcepts

True, alcohol can effect many differently, but wine, beer, rum, whiskey, vodka, etc…has no bearing on class, race, or gender, as far as I know.

But culture and ethnicity have everything to do with how different people have fun.

a reply to: Naabaahii

The 'sophisticated' response, I'm sure.

Doesn't this just come down to another one of a billion reports of the over-drinking of booze caused a scene.
Too bad the story is based on what... race?
I don't think Trump has a hope of ridding the country of it's alcohol problems.

How many stories.... how many.... booze makes people stupid.
End of story.


a reply to: CynConcepts