Having said that Annie and I were listening to a Radio phone-in programme the other day and we were absolutely gobsmacked to hear an Englishman caller make insulting, nasty remarks about people who are non-English. When the host of the radio phone in accused him of being a racist, the caller rather proudly replied – “Yes I am” – absolutely staggering!
Come on!! This is 2009 not 1909. Insularity is terrible. I am extremely proud that Britain is so multi-racial, so cosmopolitan - I see this as one of Britain's greatest strengths. I think it enriches my life tremendously to meet so many wonderful people from all over the world regardless of colour, religion or origin.
Ironically enough I received this last week from my good friend JK – a regular contributor to Simplicity Blog. JK has clearly received this from someone and it says in the body of the e-mail - as you will see – that this is a true story.
Who knows if it is true? But if true, how sad is this?
Good & true Customer Service - A Real incident......
This took place on a BA (British Airways) flight between Johannesburg and London. A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess.
"Madam, what is the matter," the hostess asked.
"You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."
"Be calm please," the hostess replied. "Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available."
The Hostess went away and then came back a few minutes later.
"Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in the Economy class. I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is also no seat in the business class. All the same, we still have one place in the first class."
Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued:
"It is not usual for our company to permit someone from the economy class to sit in the first class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting."
She turned to the black man, and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in first class."
At that moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.
This is a true story. If you are against racism, please send this message to all your friends.
7 comments:
Trevor,
At the outset let me profusely thank you for posting "Good & True Customer Service" for the benefit of simplicity friends to read and pass on these awareness amongst all their friends and contacts.- A very good act by you ,and now let me come to the topic:-
The Englishman caller on the phone accusing and using nasty remarks of non-English people, looks to me more like a sadist than a Racist- Must have gone insane by habit of using insolent language- May Jesus grace,bless and revert his brain to normalcy to get away from insolence and talk good to and about all.
I was really happy , at the end of the incident, the black man was upgraded to first class by the Air Hostess, instead of White Woman who had all hopes of getting into first class and did not work out.
Yes there are some freaky people exist in the Society with funny and biased ideas on racism without any justification whatsoever. If one want to avoid black, avoid it altogether and in toto without options and choices-That's sensible. Say for instance:-
Loves to drink black coffee.......but hates black people
Love to drink Black Tea..........but hates black people
Love to lick Black Current(Ice Cream).......but hates black people
Love to wear black attire....but hates black people
Love to posses black limousine..... but hates black people
The list can go on.........Utter non-sense according to me.
If one wants to be a racist (against black) be a real one, its just impossible- Do not see, use,drink, eat anything that has a stint of black in it- " IT'S JUST IMPOSSIBLE"- If one tries will sure to fail immediately- then why this race discrimination amongst human beings.
Don't live life in Black World as it will lead to blindness, instead liven fairly in a fair world with love and like to all and bring sparkles and lights to your own life and that of others in the society.
J.K
Dear JK,
Thank you for sending this, so Trevor could post it. While we think we have come so far in race relations, it's obvious we still have a ways to go, as they say.
What inspires me about the airplane incident is that the passengers applauded. That gives me hope.
Dear Merilyn,
You are absolutely right. It keeps my Hope to alive.
Life is short lived and I find no justification why can't Human beings live close to each other and be of useful to each other.
I haven't met any of my simplicity friends in person and face to face and still I earnestly feel that "we are too close to each other".- and I indeed feel GREAT about it.
I think and earnestly feel that "Simplicity" must now have more access and reachability to people round the world to learn and know many good things comes out of interactions amongst and between friends- May be we all should put our best efforts to bring in more reader friends into "Simplicity" that will make a change in the attitude and thinking of the people, and once this is achieved rest of the things will work without stress and strain- I believe in it and its Possible and I shall start my mission from now on to add more friends of readers of "Simplicity", after all in todays advanced I.Tech world things can be done at a press of button/click of the mouse in the system..
Thank you very much Merilyn.
J.K
Trevor,
I believe that our troubles run deeper than race or religion. Humanity has a tendency to treat one another poorly in many instances, including the workplace. Racism is a crutch, a problem close to the surface (skin) that provides excuses for people to behave deplorably.
With that said, racism works the other way as well. Many times we forget that whites are discriminated against, Asians, Jews, and a whole host of other differences that make humanity what IT is. Racism, in my opinion, is an excuse for someone's arrogance and ignorance.
Compassion, across humanity, must be elevated in order for humanity to overcome racism. Black on black crimes are outta control in the States. Until we reach such levels of compassion, I'm afraid that racism will be a scapegoat for people to show their TRUE colors.
Thanks for the post. The blogs at Tom Peters have been a raging bore lately. Not to mention, the outrageous rants of a few...
Take care
Hi JK Marilyn and Scott
Great to hear from you on Good Friday – thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
Sorry I’m a bit late responding – I have been gardening and clearing out my garage. Easter is a great 4 day break to catch up on the many outstanding jobs around the house! We will be at Church on Easter Sunday of course remembering the true meaning of Easter.
I am saddened whenever I hear of any form of racism – the story JK told me is horrifying and an example of arrogance and ignorance as Scott describes it.
The best way to rid our minds of discrimination is to spend time with people who are different to us. In my 35 year healthcare career I worked with thousands of people from other countries and I’m sure this has enriched my life and my education. In addition I’ve lived for a great part of my life in areas where white English people are the minority. I have learned so much from these people.
I am just staggered that in 2009 we still have such bigoted people around.
Scott – I agree about Tom Peters site – you will have noticed I have not commented recently – I am bored with it to be honest.
Trevor,
One need only to visit a public school here and see how the kids interact to see the degree that racism still exists today in all ethnicities. Self segregation, verbal and physical abuse at time to kids who do interact. These behaviors are being learned somewhere and until we all teach our children and grandchildren and model the behaviors ourselves in the home and family, what's going to change the behavior. Did I mention that all ethnicities need to do this? One must practice what they preach.
A terrific story indeed!
Thanks for that Dave. We have to ask ourselves where the kids get their role model behaviours from. Sad indeed and an indictment on adults of all creeds.
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