Chris Barfield (P), an African-American, entered D and requested change for a $ 50 bill. He was refused change on the ground that he was not an account-holder. Chris Barfield's (P) father, James Barfield (P), asked a white friend, John Polson, to make the same request from the bank. Polson was given change, and the teller never asked whether he held an account with the bank. A few minutes later, James Barfield (P) entered the bank, asked for change for a $ 100 bill, and was told that he would not be given change unless he was an account-holder. Further shills entered the bank and the African-American man was asked whether he was an account holder, and the white man was not. Ps filed suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, alleging racial discrimination in the impairment of the ability to contract. D moved to dismiss for failure to state a claim. Ps moved for class certification and to amend their complaint to include a claim under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The judge denied both Ps' motions and granted D's motion to dismiss. Ps appealed.

This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.