Finally, I suppose I never thought it was necessary. The owner was going to board. That was all the crew needed to know. Diane nodded slowly. And if I had been a white man in a suit, would Jennifer have blocked the door?
Would she have demanded proof of ownership? Richards had no answer. The silence spoke volumes. The problem isn't just individual actions, Diane continued. It's the whole system of assumptions.
You didn't think crew briefing about the owner was necessary because you assumed everyone would recognize me as legitimate. But that assumption only works in a world where executives look a certain way. Amy, the younger flight attendant, appeared from the galley. She had been crying, too. Her makeup streaked.
Ms. Cooper. I know I'm probably fired, too. But I want you to know something. Two months ago, Jennifer and I were talking about you.
I was excited because I'd read articles about Cooper Technologies. I thought it was amazing that our employer was a black woman who built her own company, Jennifer said. Amy's voice dropped, shame coloring her words. She said, "I don't know how someone like that ends up owning a plane like this. I didn't challenge her.
I should have. I'm so sorry. " The revelation hung in the air like a grenade. Jennifer's face went from red to white. Amy, what are you doing? But Amy shook her head.
I'm telling the truth. Ms. Cooper deserves to know. Jennifer, you've made comments before about other passengers, too. Remember the Johnson family?
You said they probably rented the plane, that people like them usually don't actually own aircraft. Dian's eyes narrowed. People like them. Amy nodded miserably. The Johnson's are black and Jennifer questioned whether they were the real clients or if they worked for whoever had chartered the plane.
Captain Richards had to correct her. Richards shifted uncomfortably. That incident was addressed internally. Jennifer received a verbal warning. Diane looked at Jennifer with new understanding.
So, this wasn't your first time making racist assumptions. It was just your first time doing it to the actual owner. Jennifer was sobbing too hard to respond. Diane felt the last remnants of doubt fade away. This wasn't about one mistake.