Safety Tidbits: 4-21

Upgraded

A few years ago, on a British Airways flight from Johannesburg, a middle-aged, well-off white South African woman found herself sitting next to a Black man. She called the cabin crew attendant over to complain about her seating.

“What seems to be the problem, Madam?” asked the attendant.

“Can’t you see?” she said. “You’ve sat me next to him. I can’t possibly sit next to this disgusting human. Find me another seat!”

“Please calm down, Madam.” the attendant replied. “The flight is very full today, but I’ll tell you what I’ll do—I’ll go and check to see if we have any seats available in club or first class.”

The woman cocked a snooty look at the outraged Black man beside her. A few minutes later the attendant returned with the good news, which she delivered to the lady, who couldn’t help but look at the people around her with a smug and self-satisfied grin:“Madam, unfortunately, as I suspected, economy is full. I’ve spoken to the cabin services director, and club is also full. However, we do have one seat in first class.”

Before the lady had a chance to answer, the attendant continued: “It is most extraordinary to make this kind of upgrade, however, and I have had to get special permission from the captain. But, given the circumstances, the captain felt that it was outrageous that someone be forced to sit next to such an obnoxious person.”

With that, the attendant turned to the Black man sitting next to the woman and said: “So if you’d like to get your things, sir, I have your seat ready for you…”

 At which point the surrounding passengers stood and gave a standing ovation while the Black man walked to the front of the plane to first class.

 It may be true that no one is better than you, but remember – you also are better than no one.

We could all learn a lot from crayons: Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, all are different colors… but they all have to learn to live in the same box.  -Andy Rooney

Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.  Marcel Proust

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Thanks for the share, WK!