I am very upset about what happened a couple of days ago on DELTA airlines. A more senior white male, turned around and slapped an irritated African-American baby while on the plane. Subsequently, this guy has received national media attention and he has lost his job. Good! However, is that enough? I am hoping that he gets the full battery of charges including Simple Battery and any other charge that is befitting for this situation. He was certainly out-of-control.
For many of you who may or may not know, it is terrible for young toddlers riding on airplanes for several reasons. 1) They are locked- into one seat or position for at least an hour or more. 2) Their ear canals are much shorter and their ears really pop the higher the altitude of the plane and 3) Traveling through most airports is laborious and really takes a lot of energy. Any frequent traveler knows this and could probably empathize with the baby. No matter what the issue, this guy had no right or business slapping this baby. I am not sure he felt comfortable with this behavior because the kids parents were white or if he was drunk and out of his mind. Nonetheless, he must be dealt with appropriately.
What is this world coming to today? How could this guy feel that free to do what he did? Now this could have certainly caused a race riot. I am wondering how this situation would have turned out if the baby’s parents were African-American also? I am sure that it would have been very different. Those parents would have been arrested and probably placed on skid row. It just appears that racism is more alive and well this year than it has been in a while. What would you have done if your baby was slapped on a plane while in the air?
Have you been feeling more racial pressure in your workplace lately? Do you think that African-Americans are just a little more sensitive nowadays to issues such as racism? Do you feel that since the last Presidential election things have gotten a little worse for minorities? I would like to know what you think and if you really think that this is becoming more of an issue.
Someone asked me what should you do if you feel that you are being discriminated against based on race, color, creed, national origin or sexual preference? Here are a couple of recommendations.
- Keep your cool and don’t respond inappropriately.
- Check your paranoia at the door.
- Document each incident with as many details as possible?
- Check your preconceived notions at the door.
- Notify the appropriate superiors and don’t take matters into your own hand.
- If your direct supervisor fails to respond, keep a paper trail and then move the complaint to the next level.
- If your workplace fails to respond or properly investigate, go to your local EEOC office and file a complaint.
- Please be advised that these cases are very difficult to prove, so the more information, documentation and witnesses (that are willing to come forward that you have) the stronger your complaint will be.
- Don’t expect resolution to quickly.
- Finally, remember that litigation can be long, grueling and very intrusive. If you have any secrets that you don’t want to come out, you may now want to start litigation.
Once again, what would you have done if a man/woman, on a plane, slapped your baby? Please weigh in on this discussion.
-Dr. O
Picture source: http://www.blackenterprise.com/news/white-man-slaps-black-baby-on-plan/
