Document: 128 S. Ct. 1951 (2008) CBOCS WEST, INC., Petitioner, v. Hedrick G. HUMPHRIES. No. 06-1431. Supreme Court of United States. Argued February 20, 2008. Decided May 27, *1954 Michael W. Hawkins, Lebanon, TN, for petitioner. Cynthia H. Hyndman, Chicago, IL, respondent. Counsel Record, J. Newman, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Cincinnati, OH, Zylstra, General and Vice President, Petitioner West, Inc. Eric Schnapper, School Law, University Washington, Seattle, Carolyn Shapiro, Chicago-Kent College Illinois Institute Technology, Illinois, Aleeza M. Strubel, Robinson, Curley Clayton, P.C., Respondent. Justice BREYER delivered the opinion Court. A longstanding civil rights law, first enacted just after Civil War, provides that "[a]ll persons within jurisdiction States shall have same right in every State Territory to make enforce contracts . as is enjoyed by white citizens." Rev. Stat. § 1977, 42 U.S.C. 1981(a). The basic question before us whether provision encompasses a complaint retaliation against person who has complained about violation another person's contract-related "right." We conclude it does. I case arises out claim respondent, Humphries, former assistant manager Cracker Barrel restaurant, (Cracker Barrel's owner) dismissed him (1) because racial bias (Humphries black man) (2) he had managers fellow employee, Venus Green, race-based reasons. Humphries timely filed charge with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), pursuant 2000e-5, received "right sue" letter. He then Federal District charging CBOCS' actions violated both Title VII Rights Act 1964, 78 253, amended, 2000e et seq., older "equal contract rights" here at issue, 1981. Humphries' claims failure pay necessary filing fees on basis. It granted motion summary judgment two 1981 claims. appealed. U.S. Appeals Seventh Circuit ruled upheld Court's grant respect his direct discrimination claim. But favor remanded trial In doing so, rejected argument did not encompass retaliation. 474 F.3d 387 (2007). sought certiorari, asking consider this last-mentioned legal question. And we agreed do so. See 551 ___, 30, 168 L. Ed. 2d 807 II *1955 our conclusion rests significant part upon principles stare decisis, begin examining pertinent interpretive history. considered comparable 1969, Sullivan Little Hunting Park, Inc., 396 229, 90 400, 24 386. arose under 1982, statutory Congress along 1981, protect citizens. was similar except focused, contracts, but related ownership property. statute citizens right, Territory, thereof inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, convey real personal property." 1982. Paul E. Sullivan, man, rented house T.R. Freeman, Jr., man. also assigned Freeman membership share corporation, which permitted owner use private park corporation controlled. Because Freeman's race, refused approve assignment. And, when protested, association expelled took away shares. sued claiming its Sullivan's found corporation's refusal "to assignment clearly an interference [the lessee's] `lease.'" U.S., 237, 400. added lessor, "has standing maintain action," ibid., because, previously said, "the times `the only effective adversary' unlawful restrictive covenant." Ibid. (quoting Barrows Jackson, 346 249, 73 1031, 97 1586 (1953)). noted permit punish "for trying vindicate minorities protected 1982" would give "impetus perpetuation restrictions made clear stands proposition 1982 Jackson Birmingham Bd. Ed., 544 167, 176, 125 1497, 161 361 (2005) ("[I]n interpreted general prohibition [in 1982] cover those advocate groups prohibition"). While decision precedents long construed §§ similarly. Runyon McCrary, 427 160, 173, 96 2586, 49 415 (1976), prohibits acts discrimination. Citing Jones Alfred Mayer Co., 392 409, 88 2186, 20 1189 (1968) Tillman Wheaton-Haven Recreation Assn., 410 431, 93 1090, 35 403 (1973), reasoned law "necessarily requires like reaches conduct." 2586. id., 187, 2586 (Powell, J., concurring) ("Although [Sullivan Jones] involved rather than agree their holdings purpose meaning necessarily apply statutes view common derivation"); 190, (STEVENS, ("[I]t be most *1956 incongruous sections [§§ fundamentally different construction"). Shaare Tefila Congregation Cobb, 481 615, 617-618, 107 2019, 95 594 (1987) (applying discussion holding Saint Francis AlKhazraji, 604, 609-613, 2022, 582 (1987), interpreting 1981). As indicated Runyon, alike recognized sister statutes' language, origin, purposes. Like traces origin 1 1866, 14 27. Building Contractors Pennsylvania, 458 375, 383-384, 102 3141, 835 (1982) (noting shared historical roots provisions); Tillman, supra, 439-440, 1090 (same). represents immediately post-Civil War legislative effort guarantee newly freed slaves other enjoy. 388, 3141 strong purposive connection between provisions). uses broad language says ." Compare 1981's set forth above, ___. Jones, 441, n. 78, 124 1836 close parallel Indeed, differs from refers, contracts," 1981(a), property," light these precedents, surprising following federal appeals courts concluded, basis or reasoning, encompassed See, e.g., Choudhury Polytechnic Inst. N. Y., 735 F.2d 38, 42-43 (C.A.2 1984); Goff Continental Oil 678 593, 598-599 (C.A.5 1982), overruled, Carter South Central Bell, 912 832 1990); Winston Lear-Siegler, 558 1266, 1270 (C.A.6 1977). B 1989, years Patterson McLean Credit Union, 491 164, 109 2363, 105 132, significantly limited scope focused words contracts" phrase narrowly. wrote "conduct employer relation been established, including breach terms imposition discriminatory working conditions." Id., 177, 2363 (emphasis added). word "enforce" does post-contract-formation conduct unless issue "infects process ways prevent one enforcing rights." Thus employee charged her employment harassing failing promote her, all race. Since victims employer's will often opposed taking place formation contract, Patterson's holding, brief time, seems practice foreclosed With exception, no court time decided 1991 *1957 proceed. Walker Bell Tel. 904 275, 276 1990) (per curiam); Overby Chevron USA, 884 470, 473 (C.A.9 1989); Sherman Burke Contracting, 891 1527, 1534-1535 (C.A.11 curiam). Malhotra Cotter 885 1305, 1312-1314 (CA7 1989) (questioning without deciding viability Patterson). see Hicks Brown Group, 902 630, 635-638 (C.A.8 (allowing discharge proceed 1981), vacated remanded, 499 914, 111 1299, 113 234 (1991) (ordering reconsideration what became Eighth Circuit's en banc Taggart Jefferson Cty. Child Support Enforcement Unit, 935 947 (1991), held racially are barred). 1991, however, weighed matter. passed 101, 1071, design supersede Patterson. R.R. Donnelley Sons 541 369, 383, 1836, 158 645 (2004). Insofar relevant here, new changed reenacting provision, designating adding subsection, (b), which, says: "`Make contracts' defined "For purposes section, term `make includes making, performance, modification, termination enjoyment benefits, privileges, terms, conditions contractual relationship." An accompanying Senate Report pointed amendment superseded subsection (b) "reaffirm `to S.Rep. 101-315, p. 6 (1990). Among things, "ensure Americans may harassed, fired otherwise discriminated race." House said "cutting back `make' `enforce' contracts[,] eliminate section 1981." H.R.Rep. 102-40, pt. 1, pp. 92-93, 92 (1991). protections provided, context include, to, harassment, discharge, demotion, promotion, transfer, retaliation, hiring." "would restore sue such retaliatory 93, 92. After enactment Courts again reached consensus Hawkins 1115 Legal Serv. Care, 163 684, 693 1998); Aleman Chugach Servs., 485 206, 213-214 (C.A.4 2007); Foley Houston System, 355 333, 338-339 2003); Johnson 215 561, 575-576 2000); F.3d, (case below); Manatt Bank America, NA, 339 792, 800-801, 11 Andrews Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital, 140 1405, 1411-1413 1998). upshot this: action; *1958 alike; (3) Patterson, mention narrowed excluding conduct, namely where likely found; legislation explicitly include conduct; (4) since lower uniformly encompassing actions. C relied well line cases construe similarly, lead indeed embedded law. That being considerations decisis strongly support adherence view. impose considerable burden seek interpretation unsettle many precedents. Welch Texas Dept. Highways Public Transp., 483 468, 494-495, 2941, 389 (plurality opinion) (describing importance decisis); 172, (considerations "have special force area interpretation"); John R. Sand Gravel Co. States, 552 750, 756-757, 169 591 III view, several arguments, taken separately together, cannot justify departure described well-embedded First, points plain text 1981a contracts. 1981(a) adds that, insofar complains complaining action white, there way kind deprivation. text's concludes, simply "does provide cause based retaliation." Brief 8. statute's expressly refer individual (black white) suffers tried help individual, suffering discrimination, secure rights. fact alone sufficient carry day. all, statute, protection reasons enforcement express right. 1955. Moreover, recently read broadly worded namely, IX Education Amendments 1972, 86 373, 1681 antiretaliation remedy. 2005 prohibiting "discrimination [on sex] any education program activity receiving financial assistance," 1681(a), complaints sex 173-174, 1497. Despite "retaliation," claim, because: "Congress three *1959 decided"; "`realistic presume thoroughly familiar'" Sullivan; consequently "`expected enactment'" "`to conformity with'" Sullivan. arguments dissent advances here merely case, post, 1965-1967 (opinion THOMAS, J.). 1497 ("Sullivan's so limited. plainly could own if show `punished minorities'" original)), 194, (THOMAS, dissenting). Regardless, linguistic makes apparent 241, 400 (Harlan, dissenting) construction "in required statute's] language,"one bases Harlan's Jones further contending gone "yet beyond" Jones). believe too late day effect overturn (nor ask so) apparent, embrace time. Second, argues Congress, reenacted amendments, intended primarily explicit "retaliation" language although included statutes. National Labor Relations Act, 29 158(a)(4); Fair Standards 1938, 215(a)(3); 2000e-3(a); Age Discrimination 1967, 623(d); Disabilities 1990, 12203(a)-(b); Family Medical Leave 1993, 2615. believe, circumstances find far more plausible explanation given nullifying need amendments themselves result pre-Patterson Part II, supra. Nothing surrounding suggests congressional subsequently case. To contrary, amendments' history indicates interpretation. 1981(b) "context include. retaliation"). Third, applied employment-related actions, overlap VII. invoke remedial powers satisfy certain procedural administrative requirements contain. 2000e-5(e)(1) (charge must brought EEOC 180 days act); 2000e-5(f)(1) (suit *1960 obtaining right-to-sue letter). permitting allow plaintiff circumvent VII's "specific mechanisms," thereby undermining effectiveness. 25. This argument, proves much. Precisely VII/ "overlap" potential circumvention exists Yet created Nor obvious how can interpret avoid eviscerating non-employment exists. acknowledged "necessary overlap" 181, 2363. "remedies available related, directed ends, separate, distinct, independent." Railway Express Agency, 421 454, 461, 1716, 44 295 (1975). important remedies benefits lacks. 457-458, 1716 (detailing aggrieved discrimination). concluded "Title designed supplement, supplant, existing laws institutions relating discrimination." Alexander Gardner-Denver 36, 48-49, 94 1011, 39 147 (1974). word, reflects design. ibid. reason reach Fourth, finds position recent cases, Burlington S.F.R. White, 548 53, 126 2405, 165 345 (2006), Domino's Pizza, McDonald, 546 1246, 1069 (2006). Burlington, distinguished harms individuals "who they are, i.e., status," example, women persons, "individuals do, conduct," whistle-blowing leads 63, 2405. should draw distinction status-based used status/conduct explain why might wanted sweep (i.e., outside workplace) substantive (status-based) antidiscrimination provision. suggest separate events. meaningful purportedly "underscores conduct-based distinct call tailored treatment." Post, 1964. ban contained claims, continues, somehow render provisions "superfluous." redundant; broader *1961 "legislative enactments evinced intent accord overlapping Alexander, 47, 1011. Great American Fed. Sav. Loan Assn. Novotny, 442 366, 377, 99 2345, 60 957 (1979) ("[S]ubstantive conferred 19th century [civil acts] were withdrawn, sub silentio, subsequent passage modern statutes"). Accordingly, accepted number (discussing interrelation fair housing 1968 1982; VII). 1959-1960 (any VII, design). highlights second cites Cort Ash, 422 66, 2080, 45 26 (1975) Rodriguez 480 522, 1391, 533 curiam), now follows approach emphasizes text. newer approach, revisit placed less weight textual itself. even posit argument's sake changes take existence change reexamination well-established prior Principles demand precedent judicial methods stay same. Were fail achieve stability rule depends. S.Ct., 756-757. IV convince contrary. hold affirmed. ordered. whom SCALIA joins, dissenting. holds implied justified respectfully dissent. unexceptional "`[s]tatutory employed assumption ordinary accurately expresses purpose.'" Engine Mfrs. Coast Air Quality Management Dist., 246, 252, 1756, 529 (2004) Park `N Fly, Dollar 469 189, 658, 83 (1985)). Today, honored breach: analysis appear until opinion, depart already grounds, "carry day." Ante, 1958. Unlike Court, think best *1962 begin, usually statute. Section provides: "All sue, parties, evidence, full equal benefit proceedings security property citizens, subject punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, exactions kind, other." thus guarantees difficult language. On face, straightforward making Not surprisingly, always it. 476, (2006) ("Section offers relief blocks creation relationship, impairs relationship"); 171, 132 (1989) ("[Section] `prohibits contracts'" 168, (1976))); 459, (Section "on face relates contracts"). Respondent nonetheless contends "[t]he different, broader, simple 15. true shortly formulation import terms. Contrary respondent's contention, nothing evinces "concer[n] protecting `based do,'" "`prevent[ing] injury are.'" (2006)). "affirmatively guarante[e]" freestanding "rights engage particular 16. Rather, equal-rights Georgia Rachel, 384 780, 791, 1783, 16 925 (1966) ("Congress category rights, specifically equality"). assumes "white citizens" enjoy extended equally persons," regardless say, race.[1] *1963 Retaliation When subjected reprisal account race; rather, conduct. commonsense ago explained "seeks whereas "antiretaliation seeks harm sound, logically factually discriminationlogically status mutually exclusive categories, depend proof actually occurred. Consider, fires race employee's Such undoubtedly guilty anyone's treats employeesblack white same, deny citizens."[2] apparently believes unlike require determine supposed "sweep[s] broadly" prohibition. 1959-1960. nonsense. Although, *1964 notes, order purpose, 63-64, follow irrelevant here. under-scores treatment. host statutes, 17-18 (citing statutes); ante, Construing superfluous, contrary normal rules Of course, points. Three Terms (2005), recipients funding discriminating sex," affords complain doing, disregarded fundamental asserting "is `on sex' intentional response nature complaint: allegation 174, my dissenting sex-based topic overcome sex, much complainer's sex." 188, Likewise ignore "protection primary [against discrimination] serves prophylactic measure guard right." 1497; 2405 (explaining "antidiscrimination workplace racial, ethnic, religious, gender-based objective preventing interfering (through retaliation) efforts advance Act's guarantees"). words, "[t]o describe [race] conflate mechanism itself, something warrant." Notably, repeat Jackson's perhaps amount repetition today ago. Instead, acknowledges 1960. day," despite usual "affirmative evidence provided remedy *1965. essential predicate implication exist," Sandoval, 532 293, 8, 121 1511, 149 517 (2001) (internal quotation marks emphasis deleted); 286-287, 1511 (emphasizing absent Congress' create action, "cause exist one, matter desirable policy matter, compatible statute"). silence regarding dispositive, says, "it day" resort "a argument" supposedly 386 (1969). 1959. below, reliance entirely misplaced. bears purport identify "well-embedded 1981," 1958, adopts today. dispositive. Unable interpretation, retreats behind figleaf ersatz decisis. invocation appears rest considerations: purported recognition (re)interpretation Appeals' None considerations, justifies implying none conceal irony novel decide impression. turn analysis. "hol[d] retaliation," "that lessor assert lessee free Thus, third-party behalf lessee, demonstrate defendant Here, contrast, respondent "need forming occurred." "creates secondary holder, beyond original Sullivan." 194-195, Having reexamined remain convinced argue expulsion corporationas assignmentviolated argued "contrary public policy" "direct having dealt requires, non-discriminatory basis." Petitioners O.T.1969, 33, 32. contended violated, *1966 "ha[d] rely Negro, Freeman," situated rights.[3]Id., 33; Pet. Cert. 17, 13 declares Negroes against, Caucasian, invasion others, adversary capable vindicating them litigation arising expulsion" omitted)). Similarly, appearing amicus curiae refusing honor itself illegal," "relief injured it, consequence resist it." 34. injuries suffered rightsnot violated. held. Tracking parties' "refus[al] `lease'" Only concludebased (1953), litigant "rely others," 255, 1031  action." opinion. suggestion "standing" model clarity, Harlan, writing dissent, correct criticize "undiscriminating manner" 251, expulsion. stating "this specify entitled pursue remand. Lamenting "failure guidance standards govern recovery remand," (dissenting opinion), Harlan instructive ambiguities opinion: "One imagine variety standards, each conclusions `rights' `duties' very consequences. For *1967 resulting Park's duty 1982? If Unless protest exclusion, reinstatement standard Board act assigning Freeman. "As alternative, thought flowed Board's `duty' damages resulted initial accept reinstatement. Or gives `legitimate' aimed convincing Freeman?" 254-255, noteworthy possible outlined, showing third "Or protest"resembles traditional and, context, probably presuppose protesting actual Which, any, mind anybody's guess. say. adhere parties natural reading fairly inferred retaliationwhich doubt can, least superimposing anachronistic outlook familiar today one-paragraph was, best, cursory ambiguous. hardly stuff made. Steadfastly acknowledge ambiguity, asserts "not claims." 1956. unsurprising either characterized standing, 1977) (characterizing "whether discharging alleged plaintiff's firing co-worker"), step inferring 1984) (stating Second never creates though held, claimed reprisals non-whites 1981"); 598, 7 1982) (recognizing previous Fifth relying "essentially *1968 people harmed someone's blacks," type conductretaliation suitis actionable place"). squarely unambiguously wrong race.[4] question, then, extend erroneous foregone "our similarly." logical end, dealing normally lockstep.[5] Otherwise, principle repose, become vehicle whereby error metastasizes into distorting Two wrongs aesthetic preference symmetry *1969 recognizing Congress. remaining invoking little discussion. relies 1955, 1958-1959. irrelevant. through loose creative brackets able "upheld `[retaliation] advocacy person's] cause.'" 400; original). say anything state certainly "interpre[t] prohibition." assertion "plainly 1982," misses point entirely. owner" suit, explained, derivative short, characterization erroneous, am aware decisive precedent's precedent particularly where, neither bar. actions." rationale fares better others. suggested rejection violates some hesitated wrong. dissenter's tactic differently McConnell Election Comm'n, 540 278, 11, 619, 157 (2003) concurring part, part); Buckhannon Care Home, West Virginia Health Human Resources, 643, 1835, 855 (GINSBURG, dissenting); 294, 526 227, 254, 119 1215, 143 311 (1999) (KENNEDY, McNally 350, 365, 2875, 292 authority sacrosanct past. decisions persuasive, rejects unanimous appeals, fact. traction extent tends reasoning flawed merits, demonstrated judges *1970 opposite conclusion. Buckhannon, 643-644, 1835 ("When prevailing Circuits, colleagues demands cogent explanation"). unanimous, weight, nor relieve obligation independently merits presented. why, affirmed unanimously done (at today) gave precedential courts' decisions, resolution merits. Gonzalez Crosby, 545 524, 531, 2641, 162 ("Virtually pleading substance successive habeas petition. correct"); Lampf, Pleva, Lipkind, Prupis Petigrow Gilbertson, 501 362, 2773, 115 321 ("Thus, called limitations 10(b) claim"). [§ 1981] good policy." 195, "By crafting additional mechanism, majority returns whole cloth effectuate vision purpose." guise justifiable. reverse below. NOTES [1] "discrimination" "impair[s]" guaranteed 17. 1981(c), impairment nongovernmental color law." goes, prohibited (differential treatment complain) (by penalizing right). Although commend attempting ground text, unconvincing. 1981(c) codifies applies private, governmental, expand refers section," enumerated "all discrimination," Amicus Curiae 16, 4. [2] blacks whitesfiring employees similarly employeesa promising sound retaliation; briefs attempts shoehorn category, petitioner "retaliated [him] worker exercised right" lodge grievance petitioner's open-door policy. 27; 33 ("[S]ection forbids dismissal whites discrimination"). record treated complainant. while established prima facie 387, 406-407 (C.A.7 2007), jury based. "waived devoting skeletal [to it] [petitioner's] judgment." 407. [3] contrast consistently tied First Amendment violated: "Since obeyed dictate policy, reinstated. sanction punishment discriminate nugatory Furthermore, giving expulsion, deprived association's directors." Petitioners, [4] "did embrace" "linguistic argument." 1982's reasonably No framed, "apparent observation (1968), governmental 1982's] language." observationor Jones," shows [5] J.I. Case Borak, 377 426, 84 1555, 12 423 (1964), violations 14(a) Securities Exchange 1934, Act. Borak understandinglater abandoned (1975)that alert purpose" expressed 433, 1555. Chief Judge Easterbrook analogy present obvious: "The goes ignored drafted `improved' version neighbor. otherwise. 15 78n(a). freewheeling `interpreting' method announced Piper Chris-Craft Industries, 430 926, 51 (1977) (§ 14(e)); Touche Ross Redington, 560, 2479, 61 82 17(a)). 1960s told uncertain extended. Bankshares, Sandberg, 1083, 2749, 929 declined portion Borak. So single sentence subsection. Why, 1866 intervening precedent?" 410-411 (citations omitted).

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