Racism: The Two Way Street

So, I was sitting at home enjoying a hot cup of coffee this morning when I received a very thoughtful story from my mother. In light of recent comments regarding anti-Obama sentiments linked to racism, I felt this story would serve as a reminder to keep things real on both sides of issues.

A Caucasian woman, somewhere in her mid 50s, was seated next to a Black passenger while boarding a flight from Dallas to London. She was obviously disturbed by this and eventually rang her call button to summon a Flight Attendant. A middle-aged White male quickly answered her call.

"How may I help you, Ma'am?" the Flight Attendant asked.

"Can't you tell what's wrong?" she snapped, "you placed me next to a Black man, and I don't agree with sitting next to someone from such a repugnant group. I demand to be reseated."

"Please calm down, Ma'am. This is nearly a full flight, so I will see if an empty seat is available," he replied softly. Then, he went away for a few moments and returned.

"Ma'am, just as I thought, there are no available seats in Economy class. However, I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is a seat in First class," the Flight Attendant explained.

Before the woman could respond, he interrupted her and continued, "While it's not usual for our airline to permit someone from Economy class to sit in First class, we can certainly make an exception in this case. The Captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting."

The Flight Attendant turned to the Black man and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your carry-on luggage and join us in First class."

Witnesses to the event stood up in their seats in shock; gay and straight; Republican and Democrat; Black and White; young and old; man and woman... and they erupted into applause and cheer as the Black man was escorted to First class.

I guess no matter who we are, racism has no boundaries, and none of us are immune to its poison. Perhaps we should be careful in generalizing a particular group of people, regardless of which side of the fence we are on.

There will always be the White man that marched alongside Black men when justice eludes color. There will always be a straight man that rides on the brightest float in the Gay Pride parade. There will always be a Republican or Democrat that is willing to part with his/her own political affiliations to do what's right. Simply put, we can all be guilty, and there will always be someone that won't fit the definition of the label we've placed upon them... and they will turn us into the fool that sits on an empty row of the aircraft... marinating in our own folly.

For the woman in this true story, I feel sorry for her. Someday, she will get an organ transplant due to a life threatening illness... and I'd love to see the look on her face when she learns that her new heart came from a Black woman. Maybe, just maybe, it will open her eyes.