By Alabama Public Radio
Tuscaloosa, AL – Dillard's Incorporated is facing a racial discrimination lawsuit. An Alabama woman claims she was charged more for hair care because she's black. Dillard's, meanwhile, says that's an oversimplification that distorts its policy and denies its salon prices are based on race. Debbie Deavers Sturvisant claims she was charged $15 more than white customers for the same services in Tuscaloosa. Her lawyer, Patrick Cooper of Birmingham, is seeking class-action status for the lawsuit. Sturvisant alleges that the Tuscaloosa salon charged $35 to wash and set her hair, while white women pay only $20 for the same service. Cooper says hair length should be the determining factor in how much salons charge, but the Dillard's policy does not take the length of customers' hair into consideration.