School Denies Bullying Of 7-year-old Who Allegedly…
Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell: Words Matter
Perhaps because I am still grappling with the last stages of a brutal flu, I was slow to get excited about my trip to DC. I'm not a fan of big crowds and usually prefer the eagle's eye vantage point I get from watching the biggest spectacles on television. Still, as a native Washingtonian with a mom who grew up in segregation and took part in the Civil Rights protests, I knew I had to get here to soak in the energy of our nation's renewed hope.
I arrived at LAX last Thursday night ready to hop on the red-eye to Dulles. What I hadn't anticipated was the instant energy and good feeling I found all around me as I approached the check in counter. It seems that almost all of my fellow travelers were headed to DC to celebrate Barack Obama's inauguration.
The plane was packed with people of all ages, sizes and colors. All smiles and chattering about how excited they were to be heading to our nation's capital. The next thing that struck me, and filled me with a sense of pride was that First Class was filled with other people who looked just like me. ...
Addicted to comfort, and very fortunate, I make it a point to fly in the highest premium class I can afford. For me it's worth it. Almost without exception, I am one of two or the only black traveler in First Class particularly on international flights.
I don't pay attention to it anymore, but during my initial journeys I noticed that many times white flight attendants were particularly curious about me and at times felt comfortable addressing me by first name while addressing other fliers by Mr. or Mrs. so-and-so. It became a little game for me.
If I was offered the respect accorded everyone else, then I would automatically ask the attendant to, "please, just call me Carmen." But if they started out calling me by my first name, while calling everyone else by their surname, then I would remind them that it's, " Mrs. ___."
As I said, I really don't care anymore. I'm past it. But I was so happy to see a First Class section filled with successful, affluent, professional people of color. Much like the Obama's themselves.
Comments: (20)
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By: Dennis on 2/02/2009 1:15AM
I traveled first class on business for almost 30 years. I have never seen anyone ask for anything other than a boarding pass to verify their seat. (I am white, but that is of little value in this discussion.) During my travels I came to resent Mrs. Martin L. King, Jr causing Eastern and Delta to hold a flight as she was 30 minutes late. (I often flew from ATL to BHM.) I learned, over time, she also "required" the airlines to give her free first class tickets because of who she was. She also never "allowed" anyone to sit next to her. I learned early in my travels that a total lack of class was not a matter of race but a matter of individual character. Since I retired I chose to either fly in a private charger or drive. I don't like the "conflict" caused by the casual traveler.
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By: J. on 2/03/2009 11:49AM
A very interesting cross section of views. I doubt the truth in the sad tale of travel as a "person of colour', 'black' or "Afro-American". Airline crews, on the whole' couldn't care less about that sad person. In the course of their work, they meet a varied cross-section of humanity, and those passengers in First Class are accorded the service for which the ticket had been purchased.
Traveling as the only Caucasian in First Class on an aircraft in Africa or the Middle East or Far East.Does that generate a feeling of inferiority?
The person whom penned that letter is arrogant.narrow minded, and a reason for dreading travel in First Class!
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By: Ray on 2/08/2009 11:51AM
I am addressed as "Ray" by some, "Mr. Mathis" by others...of all skin types. I do not think so highly of myself as to demand a certain title. Those who do are the type of individuals that would call me and others "M-F"'s. Get over it, and yourself. The only racists left in America are the assholes of all colors. Carmen Dixon: You are a divider and an egotistical bitch to behave this way. You are ignorant for printing it...except for the fact that it sadly sells to those who choose to harbor devisiveness.
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By: richard martin on 2/08/2009 12:52PM
Ms. Carmen Dixon: Stop doing this. Why would you print that you demand to be addressed as "Ms." or that "I pay them to make my flight more comfortable"? I guess flight attendants aren't as good as you? That confirmed my suspicion that you are like MANY of the first class passengers that I have encountered: an a-hole. If more are white (as you state) in first class, then more of the a-holes are white in this case...but you fit right in. You said to keep it professional. Someone calling you by your first name is inviting you into their space or world, not degrading you. Next time, save money and fly coach. You might find the company more plesant. BTW: The only racists left in America are a-holes of all colors. I wish all of you (a-holes) were sent to live togather on your own island. What a miserable place it would be. We could threaten those who break the law with the thought of being sentenced to live among you. If you are NOT an a-hole, and just write like one because it sells (to other a-holes), then STOP! You are being part of the problem, not the solution.
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By: Theresa on 2/08/2009 2:48PM
Number 1 - President Obama is Bi-Racial and you can't seperate one side of his race from another. He is a highly intelligent man. I give respect to everyone who made him the man that he is. Number 2 - First class is nice but I just want the plane to get there safe and on time. It does not matter if you paid more for your ticket than me - Just get me there safe. Lastly, no one who is not family or a friend should be addressing anyone they meet by first name unless given permission to. It is considered offensive especially if you are from the older generation. Give respect and you will receive it. Life is too short to get caught up in fluff and stuff that don't mean a hill of beans. We can all be gone in an instant and it won't matter what part of the plane you are sitting.
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By: Todd on 2/10/2009 6:15AM
For some it pays to keep racism alive. It does have it's perks, but I also magree the only racists lefty are the i9gnorant people of all races. I am a white male, married to a mexican woman who was adopted and raised by a black family. I also happen to be a blues musician, fairly well known named as one of the top 20 talents in thwe world in this genre. One quick point here.......Try being a white blues musician in Chicago and find a job. it won't happen and the people who won't hire you make no bones about telling you why. It's the color of your skin. Same thing if you're a jazz musician in New York. We have ignorant people of all colors unfoprtunately. Anyway, I cannot be called a racist, and have never practised racism of any form in my life. I got tired of hearing people tell me what a huge thing it was for Obama tyo get elected. It seems like it was all I heard. From my perspective it was no big deal. We elected a swmart, well prepaqred man to our highest office. Now I will agree that it was a very good thing for our country to get past, but it was no big deal to me. He is also a tremendous role model and showws what can happen to anyone who works hard, quits making excuses, and engages himself in life rather than complaining about how things aren't fair. Hey! They never will be, regardless of your color. I wish someone would thoughtfully answer this for me though without cqalling anyone names. How is it that people like Condi Rice, Clarence Thomas, Collin Powell and others like them who have acxhieved phenominal things with thier own lives held up as role models? oh........as far as first class or anything else goes I prefer to be called by my first name and always make a point of telling whoever is calling me Mr. to please stop.
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By: Chris on 2/16/2009 2:27AM
I exclusively fly first or business class as well, and I have also noticed that there are very few "people of color" in those sections. As a white man, I find that, like you, I am also very pleased to see that the majority of people in first class or business look like me. I guess we have one thing in common at at least...
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By: Chuck on 2/15/2009 8:24PM
Gee whillikers!! I have just never realized that blacks could not fly First Class until Obama was elected. That must be part of the Plan to jump start the economy...let the blacks pay 5 times as much as coach price to get free drinks and some legroom. Good for BO...I can sleep better now.
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By: mark on 2/16/2009 1:18PM
Curious. When I fly first or business class the stew's generally don't know anyone's name at all. It's sir, or ma'am.
I wonder if this a contrived story to propogate the slave/master contortion that keeps blacks and whites shackled to the old standards of racism.
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By: NotSoFast on 2/16/2009 1:27PM
@Mark, you obvs don't fly first class or the flight attendants don't even bother to use your surname. Even here in the comments the flight attendant said that first class passengers are addressed by their full names. I guess you don't rate.
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