I know this has already done the rounds in email and other blogs recently however, I still think it worthy of inclusion here, for any who haven’t already seen it. The story kind of fits with some of my previous ramblings about racism (see here).
A 50-something year old white woman arrived at her seat on the aircraft and saw that the Passenger next to her was a black man. Visibly furious, she called the Air Hostess.
“What’s the problem, ma’am?” the Hostess asked her “Can’t you see?” the lady said “I was given a seat next to a black man. I can’t sit here next to him. You have to change my seat”
“Please, calm down, ma’am” – said the Hostess “Unfortunately, all the seats are occupied, but I’m still going to check if we have any.” The Hostess left and returned some minutes later.
“Madam, as I told you, there isn’t any empty seat in Economy Class. I’ve spoken with the Captain and he confirmed this, I’m sorry, Economy Class is full. We only have seats in the First Class.” And before the woman said anything, the Hostess continued “Look, it is unusual for our company to allow a Passenger from the Economy Class change to the First Class. However, given the circumstances, the Captain thinks that it would be an absolute scandal to make a passenger travel sat next to an unpleasant person.”
And turning to the black man, the Hostess said: “Which means, Sir, if you would be so kind as to gather up your hand luggage, we have reserved you a seat in the First Class…”
And all the Passengers nearby, who were shocked to see the scene started applauding, some standing on their feet.”
We should all stand up to stamp out racism and other forms of bigotry. It seems like an uphill struggle but one that the likes of Martin Luther King Jr, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela never gave up on. And, as Cain Ndwandwe, a young South African black man in Johannesburg, quoted on Twitter recently…
When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it… (@cainndwandwe)
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Dave's Bankside Babble 
This blog obviously leaves the lifelong statement to be asked with regards to Nelson Mandella. Is one mans terrorist another mans freedom fighter? I however applaud the sentiment behind the blog and (if it is true) the captain and airline should be named. If only the general population of this country could behave in a similar manner, and I dont just mean the white Brits. either.
Slainte.
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