Story about my first trip on an airplane
after 911.
Taliban
On July 2, 2002 I prepared to board a plane in route to visit my brother in another state. It was the first time I’d even thought about being on a plane since the 911 Disaster.
Standing at the curb, I found my self discriminately looking at any person I thought might be a foreigner from the Middle East.
To say I was a bit freighted was an understatement, as I am sure many others traveling for the first time since the disaster felt. But I knew if I did not board that plane on that day, I would probably be too afraid to board a plane ever again.
My thoughts went back to the 60’s when Black Militants walked the streets of various US cities, and how I am sure many others felt as they discriminately judged blacks who wore large afros and chanted Black Power slogans. I believe it’s safe to say many of the blacks believed to be Militants during those times in reality had no intent of doing dastardly deeds others thought they would.
As I waited to board the plane I didn’t know if I was more nervous about boarding or staying in the waiting area that could possible be a preplanned target area. To make matters worst the loud vulgar voice of a foreign female passenger irritated because she had been taken out of the passenger loading line could be heard, and her small frame seen by all.
As she spoke on her cell phone swearing every other word she told the called party she was being detained from her 1st class seat. When the “now boarding” announcement was made the still irritated passenger arose; but was stopped again by airline staff.
After the rest of us were seated and the plane prepared for take off I wondered if she had been victim of racial profiling; if she was; this time I was glad.
View this Story
