I really doubt that those bringing this suit really expect to win. I've read that Johnny Cochran, a few distinguished Harvard professors are behind the suit, and in my view, their strategy is to never bring this suit to trial. Instead, the negative publicity this suit will bring (I've already seen a full report about this matter on the front of a major newspaper), will put pressure on these corporations to give something back to the African-American community.
Frankly, Buddy, I'm with you on this. This is all a matter of accountability, isn't it? You injure a party, you pay the price. The same Republicans who routinely preach accountability and responsibility are now arguing that corporations should be allowed to escape responsibility for its past atrocities. Well, the law may allow this result, but in the end, negative publicity will not.
So long as the media continues to cover this story and public pressure grows, African-Americans will probably eventually prevail in some form or another. However, if this goes to trial they won't, and my guess is that ultimately these companies are going to settle to get this story off the pages of our nations newspapers.
Ryan.