Rogers v. American Airlines, Inc.

United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

527 F. Supp. 229 (S.D.N.Y. 1981)

Relevant factsFree

Rogers (plaintiff), a Black woman working as an airport-operations agent for American Airlines (defendant), was required to wear a headpiece over her all-braided hairstyle under a company policy that applied to all employees regardless of race or sex. Rogers sued, claiming the policy discriminated against her under Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1981, and American moved to dismiss.

IssueFree

Whether a neutrally applicable policy prohibiting all employees from wearing all-braided hairstyles, regardless of sex or race, constitutes illegal discrimination under federal law.

Holding & reasoning

The court resolved the question by applying the controlling rule to the facts and explaining precisely why the outcome followed. Its reasoning ties the doctrine to the record so you can reproduce the analysis on an exam.

Procedural history, concurrence & dissent

This section traces the case from the trial court through appeal and lays out how each opinion lands. Separate writings sharpen the majority's limits and flag the arguments most likely to resurface in class.

Unlock the full brief

Free accounts read 20 full briefs. No card required.

Start free Log in