In March, 2005 GNOFHAC received notice for its study of discriminatory practices in Bourbon Street bars. That study was a reaction to the death of Levron Jones in December 2004, when he was killed by bouncers outside a Bourbon Street bar. Mayor Nagin called for mystery shopping and GNOFHAC responded. In that study black "mystery shoppers" received substantially worse treatment than whites. The results as reported in the Executive Summary:

In 16 of the 28 Bourbon Street nightclubs or bars audited, African-American teams received less favorable treatment than their Caucasian counter-parts. In 16 of the 40 total tests, African-American teams received less favorable treatment than their Caucasian counter-parts. Given the number of visitors to Bourbon Street, 40 tests of 28 bars might seem like a pretty small sample but it is most of the bars in the 100-700 blocks of Bourbon that met the study criteria of drinks and music.

The less favorable treatment of African-Americans generally fell into three categories:  African Americans paid more for drinks at 11 bars,  were reminded to abide by dress codes at 2 bars, and were notified of one-drink minimum rules at 3 bars.

Is it discrimination to be reminded of a dress code rule, to be carded for ID, or to be reminded of a minimum? Were none of the white testers ever carded or reminded? It seems like it takes a highly sensitized "oppression filter" to perceive these as acts of racial discrimination.

It does seem like discrimination to be overcharged. And since nearly 40% of the bars studied, overcharged it definitely seems like a trend. Is there something else going on? There was considerable commotion in the city regarding this study and some confusion. A persisting stereotype emerged that may have some bearing or may be just another red herring. Jarvis DeBerry of the TP picked up on the theme (I've summarized and expanded):

"Black people don't tip" was the most persistent comment heard after the study was released. True or false this is the perception of many in the service industry and perceptions guide behavior. If you are working to make money you encourage paying customers and discourage those who don't.  It's that simple, and of course it is way more complicated.

Were the waiters and bartenders just including an undocumented tip in the price in the expectation of being "stiffed?" That may be exactly what happened. This study raises, but does not answer that question. Getting that answer would be useful and could suggest an addition to the  Responsible Alcohol Service training that all wait staff must pass annually.

Such stereotypes are dangerous and damaging and should be addressed. Continuing the study beyond the reported bounds could have been helpful and led to root causes of the behaviors. Why didn't the researchers follow up with the bouncers, waiters, waitresses and bartenders encountered in the study. Asking them why they treated the African-Americans different than their European-American counterparts may have uncovered additional clues. Perhaps there were policies at the bars that might be illegal or was it just perception and experience being reflected in the actions.Follow up a couple of weeks after the study could help determine if changes had been made. Is this still going on?

Two years later ......Silence.....I guess it wasn't very important anyway. Too bad.