BlackPressUSA
COMMENTARY: The Seat of Privilege – Black Lives and the Friendly Skies
NNPA NEWSWIRE — This commentary is about one seat on one flight. It is not about Delta Airlines (the organization), the oppressor (self-upgraded passenger), or the colluder (Debra, the flight attendant). However, this narrative replays every day in every boardroom, law firm, health system, corporation, classroom, courtroom, police station.
By Pat Morris, Eye Care Business Advisor, Adjunct Faculty ECPE Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health
Passenger discrimination complaints nearly doubled in 2021 compared to the same time the year before, with many citing facing racism in the friendly skies.
The U.S. Department of Transportation reported more than 100 complaints with Southwest Airlines and American Airlines as the primary culprits.
Pat Morris, an eye care business advisor and adjunct faculty member at ECPE Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, travels 51 weeks each year. Black, successful, and among the most frequent of fliers, Morris shared her story of flying while Black with NNPA Newswire.
On Delta flight 4771 out of New York City’s LaGuardia airport, I was upgraded to travel first class because of my airline status.
When I arrived at my row, a woman was seated in my designated seat. I inquired if she was in the correct seat.
She looked at me and asked what number was on the row.
I replied.
Then she asked if she was in my seat. I shared that my ticket displayed that particular row and that seat in which she was seated.
“Sorry, I must be in the wrong seat,” she said but still didn’t move. I asked what was on her ticket, she didn’t respond.
At that point, the flight attendant (Debra) asked what the problem was. She then asked to see my ticket to verify I was in the right row.
The woman in my seat jumped up and moved to row 5 in comfort class.
As she moved out of my row and I moved into the row, the flight attendant brought me a bottle of water. She then continued to comfort class and told the woman in Row 5, who was previously in my first-class seat, she was sorry.
She also explained that since there are plenty of open seats on the flight, the other woman can sit anywhere she wants.
A passenger seated in front of me moved up a row to sit with a colleague at that moment.
The flight attendant observed this and returned to the woman in Row 5. She invited her to move to that seat.
This is what privilege looks like.
Some readers may guess that I am an African American woman. I was traveling for work, so I was wearing a business suit underneath my mink coat. My hair and nails were conservatively styled.
Despite my outward appearance, to that flight attendant – Debra – I did not look like I belonged in first class. Although Debra never asked for her ticket nor verified her seat number, the other woman “looked” like she belonged in the first-class cabin.
That woman was white.
Furthermore, I’m confident that if I had mistakenly sat in a first-class seat – and was removed – it’s likely there would have been heavy sighs and the shaking of heads by Debra and other passengers on the plane who don’t look like me.
Plus, it is reasonable to assume that after getting caught “self-upgrading,” there is no way I would have been invited back to first class.
Were Debra’s actions malicious? I don’t think so. I don’t even think it was intentional or even conscious.
This commentary is about one seat on one flight. It is not about Delta Airlines (the organization), the oppressor (self-upgraded passenger), or the colluder (Debra, the flight attendant).
However, this narrative replays every day in every boardroom, law firm, health system, corporation, classroom, courtroom, police station.
Perhaps, I should have called it out. Then, I could have had a quiet, one-on-one conversation with Debra about how her actions made me feel. Maybe that would have made a difference the next time.
I didn’t do so. Not because I didn’t have the vocabulary to unpack the incident. Not because I feared my emotions or anger would have exposed my vulnerability.
No, it’s because I dreaded that the marshals would be waiting for me on the jet bridge when we landed.
In addition, I doubt that everything that preceded the one-on-one polite coaching conversation would be of no consequence – the headline/tweet/chyron/post would read “flight attendant felt threatened” and “angry Black woman detained by authorities.” The feeling was debilitating.
This commentary is about one seat on one flight, not my lack of response. My lack of response is the result of a lifetime of experiencing inequality. Racial trauma has conditioned me not to react.
The cab didn’t stop when I hailed it. I didn’t get the promotion because of my earrings.
I didn’t get the home in that neighborhood because the agent didn’t show it to me. I was pulled over in my high-end SUV because I was in this “other” neighborhood.
I have been told countless times that I’m not like “most Black people.” I have been told I’m pretty “for a Black woman.” Yet, the reaction of people I have been communicating with for years by phone when I walk into their office would be priceless if it didn’t happen so often.
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been at a C-suite event within hearing distance of the off-color joke or inappropriate reference to a person from a marginalized group.
Memories of being in the candidate review meeting with my peers or leadership where hair or wardrobe or use of “slang” was why the more qualified minority candidate was not extended an offer still irritate me.
I have had these direct experiences for decades.
There are also the years of racial trauma by indirect acts. Victims are criminalized in the court of public opinion or worse in the media, and oppressors are not chastised nor fired. Instead, colluders are promoted, given raises, and commended for their contributions to oppression.
Murderers may now get arrested but not convicted; if convicted, not sentenced; if sentenced, not sentenced equitably in comparison to underrepresented minorities.
Inaction is acceptance.
Inaction does not advance the cause. Yet, how can I act and simultaneously insulate myself, my reputation, family name, loved ones, and livelihood?
When I was 7, my father warned me what I would be up against. He said, “first you’re Black, second you’re a girl – the odds are against you.”
He didn’t tell me I couldn’t do or be whatever I wanted. He wanted me to know it wouldn’t be easy. We are not our parents or our grandparents who fought and died for decent jobs, education, the right to vote, the right to own property, so we could have it better than they did.
In retrospect, I realize that my inaction indirectly perpetuates the culture of inequality and is doing a disservice to our children and our children’s children.
We are desensitized. We are fearful. We navigate it. We are traumatized. We have gotten comfortable. We cope. We justify. We overlook. We take the high road.
That is a form of acceptance of the continuous mistreatment, injustice, inequity. Despite good intentions and nondiscriminatory policies or standards, organizations and individuals still act on racial prejudices.
How do we – how should I? – address implicit bias without calling it out? How do we deal with aversive bias without having hard conversations? How can we call discrimination out without putting our lives in peril? Is there a safe space for these discussions?
I do know that we all must actively embrace the anti-racism movement, and I know it won’t be easy.
Is a change going to come? Not without my singular contribution, not without each of our single contributions. Those distinct contributions will compound over time to drive real change.
Post Script:
On the return flight. My oppressor was on the same flight as I was. I recognized her as she walked past me (in first) on her way to her coach seat (that was my Rosa Parks moment).
Once we landed at LGA, I was the first person who exited the flight. I go to the restroom. As I’m washing my hands at a basin, I see my oppressor, 20 feet away, at another bay. I justified in my head – not worth it. She didn’t ask for the privilege; it came with her bloodline. Maybe the colluder, Debra, should have gone through another round of diversity and inclusion training.
There were no paper towels over there, so she walked over to the basin next to mine.
Shaking my head and knowing the creator makes no mistakes, I had to say something., “Good evening; we were on the same flight Tuesday morning, weren’t we?”
She glanced at me and replied, “I’m not sure – I think so.”
I said, “Yes, WE were both in first-class.”
She never made eye contact – she walked out. Perhaps she didn’t remember the incident, maybe she was embarrassed, maybe she felt threatened, maybe I am invisible.
Black Press
Oakland Mayor Reads to Children at Bookout Block Party at Marcus Books Store
Booths lined the street with arts and crafts, and children participated in hands-on art projects. A large display of books was on display and each child chose his/her free book to take home. Food and snacks were available, and free water was encouraged to keep all hydrated.
Floating bubbles greeted families on arrival at the Bookout Block Party held on Sat. Sept. 12 at 39th and MLK Blvd. in Oakland.
Sponsored by Marcus Books and Storyland Collective, a wonderland of activity for children stretched to Longfellow School while live music filled the air, courtesy of KWC Complex Jazz Group.
Booths lined the street with arts and crafts, and children participated in hands-on art projects. A large display of books was on display and each child chose his/her free book to take home. Food and snacks were available, and free water was encouraged to keep all hydrated.
A large area of turf was filled with huge bean bags for jumping, rolling, and sitting to listen as families crowded close to listen to Oakland Mayor Barbara Mayor Barbara Lee read a book out loud.
Of the numerous booths present were, “Claim Your Scholarship,” a program for Oakland Public School students and “VOLUNTEER NOW,” a program encouraging volunteers to help boost reading proficiency. Individuals sold their art and products. Free gifts were at many tables and a raffle was held.
The event with Marcus books culminated a summer-long program organized by Storyland Collective, a literacy arts organization bringing children’s ‘storytime,’ local authors, and art activities to Bay Area neighborhoods. Marcus Books is the oldest, independent Black-owned book store in the U.S., featuring books by and about Black people here and abroad.
Black History
Tradition Comes to the Streets in 11th Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival at the Freedom Farmers Market
Mayor Barbara Lee stops by to support vendors, Winky Dinky Dogs owner Tyranny Allen
A streamlined Oakland Black-Eyed Pea Festival took place on Sat. Sept. 12 in the lower Temescal neighborhood on the blocked off street that connect Shattuck and Telegraph avenues.
An early start brought together vendor regulars from festival partner, the Freedom Farmers’ Market, and vendors who have supported the festival at its previous location at Marston Campbell Park.
Wanda Ravernell, the festival producer/director was on the verge of cancelling the festival because of funding limitations in May before reaching out to Elaine Smith, president of Farms to grow, Inc., which supervisors the market.
From its start in 2014, the festival has focused on the traditions of African American culture through music, food and art. That emphasis included fresh food vendors, particularly growers of African American legacy crops like black-eyed peas, yams, watermelon, collard greens and okra, which all originate in Africa.
To Fresno farmer Will Scott of Scott Family Farms, the Freedom Farmers’ Market allows him to bring those crops to the inner city – and support the nutrition of African Americans.
Shortly after the festival opened Saturday morning with prayers and salutes to the ancestors by Wakan Wiya Two-Spirit Drum and Awon Ohun Omnira, led M. Zamora and Otobaji Stewart respectively, 86-year-old Scott, the son of a sharecropper, announced that he will put other endeavors aside to dedicate the rest of his life to raise those foods.
Smith shared that Farms to Grow assists Black farmers in helping them overcome one of their main impediments to success – distribution – while creating alliances to help Black people maintain farmland and make it prosperous for younger generations to keep farming and farmland in the family.
As the morning progressed to afternoon, a steady stream of visitors drifted from booth to booth, chatting with vendors and each other.
Scott noted that a market day like this was what he was accustomed to in his youth, where the market was not just about buying things but also a place for valuable social exchange.
The social aspect became even pronounced shortly after midday when Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee stopped by to shop and visit with some of the vendors, including Ellen Bimpeh of Sankofa, and Ravernell who was selling T-shirts designed by Stewart.
Lee is also a fan of Winky Dinky Dogs, an eatery owned by Tyranny Allen whose second brick-and-mortar venture further anchors a hub of businesses at that corner.
As he has in previous years, Andre Thierry of Accordion Soul, closed the festival with a 90-minute set that brought young and the young-at-heart on their feet to dance in a line or as impromptu couples.
And, surprisingly, the man Allen refers to as the mayor of 45th Street, came out on cane and chair to sit by the curb in the sun and listen to music reminiscent of his Louisiana roots. His appearance seemed to echo Scott’s observance about the market: to bring people together.
The Freedom Farmers’ Market is located at 4521 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland and is open on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month until Nov. 14. For more information and to apply to be a vendor, go to https://www.farmstogrow.org/freedomfarmersmarket
Black Press
Attorney General Rob Bonta Continues Opposition to President Trump’s Tariff Regime
“President Trump is so intent on raising the cost of living for Americans that he is willing to break law after law to continue his tariff regime,” said Bonta.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a coalition of 25 states, filed an amicus brief in the Court of International Trade in Learning Resources v. Trump, a case challenging President Trump’s latest “unlawful” attempt to tax the states and American consumers through illegal tariffs, according to a media release issued by the California Department of Justice.
In the brief, Bonta argues the latest round of tariffs levied under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 are pretextual and are not targeted to address the purported harms of forced labor, as that statute requires, but instead are designed to re-create the tariffs already declared illegal by various courts.
Last month, Bonta and the coalition filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s decision to impose these tariffs on over 80 countries that together account for 99.4% of all U.S. imports — costs that will be passed along to Americans already struggling with affordability.
“President Trump is so intent on raising the cost of living for Americans that he is willing to break law after law to continue his tariff regime,” said Bonta.
“Imposing these tariffs under Section 301 has nothing to do with forced labor and everything to do with continuing the President’s failed economic policy and reimposing the global tariffs that the Supreme Court invalidated,” he continued.
“We urge the Court of International Trade to declare the president’s tariffs under Section 301 illegal. Tariffs are taxes, and the American people cannot and should not shoulder the extra costs that come from the president’s illegal tariffs.”
Black Press
Neighborhood Empowerment Day in Deep East Oakland Brings Community Together After Recent Tragedy
Hosted by the 40×40 Council, the free, family-friendly resource fair featured health and wellness services, workshops, children’s activities, food, giveaways and local Black-owned businesses. Residents also connected with community organizations working to strengthen East Oakland.
Families, residents and community organizations gathered at the Parker Community Resource Center on Saturday, Sept. 12, for the 40×40 Neighborhood Empowerment Day, transforming the site of a recent tragedy into a space for healing, resources, connection and joy.
Hosted by the 40×40 Council, the free, family-friendly resource fair featured health and wellness services, workshops, children’s activities, food, giveaways and local Black-owned businesses. Residents also connected with community organizations working to strengthen East Oakland.
The gathering came six weeks after a fatal shooting occurred at the Ney Avenue center on July 31. The violence happened shortly before 9 a.m. on the campus of the adult education center and claimed the life of 25-year-old Kimarii McLemore. A second person was injured.
McLemore was attending what was supposed to be her final day in an adult education carpentry class. The shooting deeply affected her family and traumatized students, staff members and residents who had viewed the center as a safe place where community members could pursue education, career training and a better future.
Neighborhood Empowerment Day offered residents an opportunity to return to the center in a spirit of unity and reclaim the space as an important neighborhood resource.
“Reclaiming the space after a tragedy means creating opportunities for people to gather, connect, experience joy and feel a sense of community once again,” said Tim Zenor-Davis, program manager at Roots Community Health. “After a trauma occurs, we see what happened, we acknowledge its impact, and we are continuing to show up.”
Throughout the afternoon, children and families participated in activities while residents received information about health, wellness and other community services. The event also gave local entrepreneurs and service providers an opportunity to connect with the community.
Complimentary meals included grilled burgers and tacos while a DJ played popular music.
Guests received blood pressure and eye-sight checks. A space to exercise on yoga mats was provided while headphones with guided meditation offered a moment to slow down and reflect.
The 40×40 Council includes the Black Cultural Zone, Brotherhood of Elders Network, East Oakland Youth Development Center and Roots Community Health. Together, the organizations have worked to address community violence and the deeper systemic conditions that have affected generations of East Oakland residents.
The council’s work has extended beyond responding to individual tragedies. As part of the broader Rise East initiative, the collaborative has focused on reversing decades of economic disinvestment, systemic poverty, health disparities and the displacement of Black legacy residents.
The 40×40 area stretches from Seminary Avenue to the San Leandro border and from MacArthur Boulevard to the Bay. More than 30,000 Black residents live within the area, which contains Oakland’s largest concentration of Black residents.
Organizers said the area has continued to demonstrate resilience despite experiencing community violence, declining investment and a significant life-expectancy gap compared with wealthier parts of the region.
The council seeks to help reshape East Oakland into a vibrant, multigenerational community where Black residents can remain, return, heal, prosper and build power.
Black Press
Neighborhood Empowerment Day in Deep East Oakland Brings Community Together After Recent Tragedy
Hosted by the 40×40 Council, the free, family-friendly resource fair featured health and wellness services, workshops, children’s activities, food, giveaways and local Black-owned businesses. Residents also connected with community organizations working to strengthen East Oakland.
Families, residents and community organizations gathered at the Parker Community Resource Center on Saturday, Sept. 12, for the 40×40 Neighborhood Empowerment Day, transforming the site of a recent tragedy into a space for healing, resources, connection and joy.
Hosted by the 40×40 Council, the free, family-friendly resource fair featured health and wellness services, workshops, children’s activities, food, giveaways and local Black-owned businesses. Residents also connected with community organizations working to strengthen East Oakland.
The gathering came six weeks after a fatal shooting occurred at the Ney Avenue center on July 31. The violence happened shortly before 9 a.m. on the campus of the adult education center and claimed the life of 25-year-old Kimarii McLemore. A second person was injured.
McLemore was attending what was supposed to be her final day in an adult education carpentry class. The shooting deeply affected her family and traumatized students, staff members and residents who had viewed the center as a safe place where community members could pursue education, career training and a better future.
Neighborhood Empowerment Day offered residents an opportunity to return to the center in a spirit of unity and reclaim the space as an important neighborhood resource.
“Reclaiming the space after a tragedy means creating opportunities for people to gather, connect, experience joy and feel a sense of community once again,” said Tim Zenor-Davis, program manager at Roots Community Health. “After a trauma occurs, we see what happened, we acknowledge its impact, and we are continuing to show up.”
Throughout the afternoon, children and families participated in activities while residents received information about health, wellness and other community services. The event also gave local entrepreneurs and service providers an opportunity to connect with the community.
Complimentary meals included grilled burgers and tacos while a DJ played popular music.
Guests received blood pressure and eye-sight checks. A space to exercise on yoga mats was provided while headphones with guided meditation offered a moment to slow down and reflect.
The 40×40 Council includes the Black Cultural Zone, Brotherhood of Elders Network, East Oakland Youth Development Center and Roots Community Health. Together, the organizations have worked to address community violence and the deeper systemic conditions that have affected generations of East Oakland residents.
The council’s work has extended beyond responding to individual tragedies. As part of the broader Rise East initiative, the collaborative has focused on reversing decades of economic disinvestment, systemic poverty, health disparities and the displacement of Black legacy residents.
The 40×40 area stretches from Seminary Avenue to the San Leandro border and from MacArthur Boulevard to the Bay. More than 30,000 Black residents live within the area, which contains Oakland’s largest concentration of Black residents.
Organizers said the area has continued to demonstrate resilience despite experiencing community violence, declining investment and a significant life-expectancy gap compared with wealthier parts of the region.
The council seeks to help reshape East Oakland into a vibrant, multigenerational community where Black residents can remain, return, heal, prosper and build power.
Black Press
Community Action Group ‘Friends of Zakiya’ Ask Sheriff for Time
“Friends and Neighbors of Zakiya,” a community group of more than 60 neighbors, friends and community activists, is standing strong with Jendayi. The group holds weekly vigils every Tuesday from 6 p.m.-7p.m. at Jendayi’s residence at 3614 Randolph Ave. in Oakland.
Zakiya Jendayi received good news Monday, Sept. 14, when the appellate court ruled in her favor in the Hamlin v. Jendayi case, agreeing to hear the case on its merits regarding her motion to have Judge Sandra K. Bean’s ruling invalidated based upon Laura Dean Head’s living trust.
The bad news is that, at the time of this writing, the Sheriff’s Department was scheduled to evict Jendayi from her home yesterday.
“Friends and Neighbors of Zakiya,” a community group of more than 60 neighbors, friends and community activists, is standing strong with Jendayi. The group holds weekly vigils every Tuesday from 6 p.m.-7p.m. at Jendayi’s residence at 3614 Randolph Ave. in Oakland.
The group is asking the community to join them and to make calls to Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez and DA Ursula Jones Dickson to stop what they deem the illegal eviction of Jendayi from her home of 13 years.
“I would hope that the Sheriff listens because, unlike the courts, my friends and neighbors have read the transcripts and seen for themselves the 42 findings that result in 35 false, six misleading, and one that is an error, which unbelievably the appeals court upheld.” says Jendayi. “With this new appeal, the court quite possibly will return my home to me, and so this makes no sense. The Sheriff is threatening to move forward to remove me before my appeal is heard.”
“This makes no sense,” says group member Rev. Raymond Langford. “She’s not a criminal, and she’s never had a criminal record. This situation has been horribly impactful on her physical and mental health. She’s now medically compromised due to all this stress, and all we’re asking for is time to see if the courts are in error. She should be given the opportunity for the appeal to be heard. That’s called justice, nothing more, nothing less.”.
Friends and Neighbors of Zakiya are organizing future protest actions to secure more time for Jendayi. They will be seen in front of the offices of Bonta, Simon and Sanchez, demanding that she have the opportunity for her case to be heard.
The Post is asking that the public join Friends and Neighbors of Zakiya and use the information listed to join in this fight for justice.
Friends and Neighbors of Zakiya asks you to sign the petition by activating the QR code below to enact a stay in Jendayi’s pending eviction from her home and to pursue a full and independent investigation into the ruling that invalidated Dr. Head’s trust.
Oakland Mayor Reads to Children at Bookout Block Party at Marcus Books Store
Tradition Comes to the Streets in 11th Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival at the Freedom Farmers Market
Attorney General Rob Bonta Continues Opposition to President Trump’s Tariff Regime
Neighborhood Empowerment Day in Deep East Oakland Brings Community Together After Recent Tragedy
Neighborhood Empowerment Day in Deep East Oakland Brings Community Together After Recent Tragedy
Community Action Group ‘Friends of Zakiya’ Ask Sheriff for Time
Oakland Launches Aerbits Program to Identify, Report Abandoned Trash
Mayor Lee Announces $1 Million Kaiser Permanente Grant for Pilot Program to Address Homelessness, Clean Up Public Spaces throughout Oakland
Alameda County DA Ursula Jones Dickson Says Key to Optimal Use of DA’s Office Is Knowledge
2024 Audi Q3 S line Quattro: Base MSRP & Features #shorts
You Had Me at Hello: the Love and Legacy of Grace Nail and James Weldon Johnson
Arnold Perkins: At 85, a Life of Service, Faith and Giving Back
Young Black Men Suffering in Silence A curse that can be Broken
Young Black Men Suffering in Silence A curse that can be Broken
🎷 Jazz is taking over D.C.!
BSPNTX Announces 2026-27 Scholarships Recipients
Women Learned Their Jail Strip Searches Were Recorded. Their Outrage Changed the Law
Black Americans Have Doubts About the U.S. Food System
Barbados – Julius Garvey, Son of Marcus Garvey, Joins PM Mottley in the Rededication of the Garvey Amphitheater
IN MEMORIAM: Dolly Parton Dead at 80 — How She Built a Legacy of Love and Earned Her Place in Black Culture
2024 Audi Q3 S line Quattro: Base MSRP & Features #shorts
Subaru Outback Turbo: Real Power Unleashed! #shorts
DON’T Buy the 2027 Seltos X Line SX Until You Watch This
Headlines and Hotlines
Headlines and Hotlines 📱
Small Cup Holders & Hidden Controls: Car Buying Pet Peeves #shorts
Don’t Get RIPPED OFF! Car Dealership Fees EXPLAINED #shorts
DMV DOES on Being More Than a Book Club | Let’s Talk
Talking with TotallyRandie: The AsOneFoundation
The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win
-
Black History1 week agoLatest Massacre in Haiti Reveals Cruelty U.S. Deportations
-
Black History1 week agoHenry O. Flipper: A Trailblazer at West Point and Beyond
-
Black History1 week agoOP-ED: If AI Is the New Language of Power, Then NAN Wants Black Communities Fluent
-
Black Press1 week agoAsm. Smallwood-Cuevas’s Bill Repealing ‘Racist’ CalWORKs ‘Man-in-the-House’ Rule Clears Legislature
-
Black Press6 days agoOP-ED: How Does Your State Rank for Pre-K?
-
Black Press1 week agoCalifornia Legislature Sends Historic Native American Apology Bill to Gov. Newsom’s Desk
