I want others to be more observant about how Black people are treated in these spaces (Picture: Ann Marie Christian)
‘Madam, can you step aside please? This line is for the front of the plane. You need to join the line for the back of the plane.’
It was 2021 and I was queuing up to embark on a plane from France back to London after a business trip. I was very tired and looked forward to seeing my husband and children back in the UK.
When I heard the airline ground staff words, I was disappointed but not surprised. My mother had had a similar experience in 1979 when we went to Calais on a coach trip.
It was awkward because everyone was looking at me like I had done something wrong.
Looking around, I noticed that I was the only Black person in the queue – the business class queue.
Though furious inside that this man clearly felt I was out of place, I didn’t want to be seen as angry or argumentative. I didn’t want them to place their negative stereotypes on me.
So, I calmly showed my boarding pass and was let back in the line. There was no apology – just silence. I was speechless.
It was humiliating. The line was close and people could hear and see it all.
This experience ruined my whole flight.
I was upset, and could feel eyes looking towards me from other passengers, seemingly assuming that I – a Black woman – was in the wrong.
Daily discrimination and prejudice is real and happens in most spaces. I am telling this story so readers can understand the living experiences of Black people when travelling; so they can be allies and support the cause.
Since I was young, I’ve been treated differently because of the colour of my skin.
Many white people from my past have pre-judged me negatively. Behaved as if they were superior to me, just because of the colour of their skin.
I grew up in a predominantly white area and, back in 1994, I remember my teacher keeping me in the lowest maths set – though I loved the lesson, and was very smart.
If you are reading this article while on any type of transport, look around and notice
My mother (who worked in another primary school) challenged the teacher as to why I hadn’t been put into the higher group. The teacher was embarrassed and had no excuse.
I was then moved up, entered for ‘O’ Level and CSE (Certificate of Secondary Education) – passing both with flying colours.
I completed my degree in social work in the mid 90’s and still remember the racism I encountered when I went into the local town. The stares from locals made me feel like I was an alien that had just landed on earth.
I even went on to experience further racism in my social work profession from colleagues in the team who assumed I smoked marijuana, was a single parent and listened to reggae music.
Even when I attended meetings, l was often mistaken for the client or language interpreter – not the actual professional social worker.
It’s been the same when I’ve been travelling, too. I’ve always enjoyed exploring the world – and have been a frequent flyer since my late teens – but have experienced racism often.
In the late 80’s, I was in a long-distance relationship and flew every few months to New York to see my then-boyfriend. I was stopped and searched often when returning to the UK. I had nothing to hide, and it was both humiliating and unfair as I often only saw Black people being searched and targeted.
And, since 2008, I’ve worked internationally – often travelling business class. I flew to European destinations five times in 10 months for one project, dating from 2021-2022.
At first, it was exciting – and l enjoyed the experience. But, on some of the trips, I was treated differently to other passengers.
The calling out of the line incident was the start of many that followed.
Out of five trips, I was questioned three times about my seating status in business class from ground staff before entering the plane.
Once, when I was invited to talk at an event in Texas, USA, last July, I had the worst experience ever. I even lodged a formal complaint to the airline, who had the audacity to offer me free air miles, and not really acknowledge the racism I encountered.
On this occasion, when I checked in at the airport, I was in the fast-track lane as expected, and then was sent up to the business lounge to chill out before my flight.
I was called out of the line by the airline official, in front of all the other passengers after checking in, and was told the line was for business class passengers only. Once again, I showed my boarding pass and was let back in.
I was furious and entered the lift to the business lounge, where fellow passengers stood around awkwardly, as they didn’t know what to think of the situation.
No one made eye contact with me in the lift. The official did not apologise. Again, it made me look like I was in the wrong and less innocent than my fellow passengers.
On the same flight, I experienced multiple microaggressions when asking about the menu and choosing my drinks from a particular air stewardess, which made me feel disgusted and sad.
As you can well imagine, I enjoy my job and travelling – but, whenever I travel now, l almost expect these negative behaviours and anything better is a bonus.
But this treatment should not be expected in any seat on the plane – especially business class.
It happens on trains, too.
Back in September 2020, on a first-class train carriage at a London train station travelling to York, I was told I was in the wrong carriage by a passenger.
Rosa Parks came to mind, but I ignored this individual. They repeated the comment a few times. They stared at me. No one intervened but other passengers looked awkward as they heard it.
At first, it took time to process incidents like this as they happened but now, I spot it much quicker.
I feel more empowered when dealing with racism, and can address it at the time by speaking to management. Misogynoir is real.
However, I want others to be more observant about how Black people are treated in these spaces. Break the ice when you notice discrimination against any person with a protected characteristic – especially when the person clearly feels helpless and targeted.
If you are reading this article while on any type of transport, look around and notice – or on your next journey be more aware.
Travel companies, please take note. Listen to your passengers and educate staff about the importance of inclusion and diversity.
We must stand up to discrimination and prejudice, addressing it as it happens – because it is never acceptable. On ground, or in the air.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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Looking around, I noticed that I was the only Black person in the queue – the business class queue.