March 21, was celebrated all over the world as the International Day for the Eradication of all forms of Racial Descrimination and also, recently in our article of virtue, two of our community's most respectable personalities wrote against racism in The African Kid in Nazi Germany by Pierre Louma and We Shall Not Forget by Peter Fogel. Unfortunately, this inhuman acts are still being carried out in many parts of the world and public places/ firms.

British Airways has been in the news recently and many individuals including its staff have been telling tales of the prevailing racial atmosphere within and around the supposed "Worldclass Airline"
Presently in my country, Nigeria, we are threatening to boycott the Airline due to its racial and selective treatment of Nigerian travelers. Below is an except of the story of a Nigerian who was recently given a bitter dose of the BA treatment. This story has been investigated by the Nigerian Government and found to be true. We are demanding an official apology from BA.

On the 27th of March 2008 at about 12:30pm, I boarded the British Airways flight BA75 and I went straight to seat 53C. On getting to my seat, there were noises from an individual being forcibly restrained but who was not visible because some police officers and some plain clothes people held him down. The noise continued for more than 20 minutes and I was concerned because the individual was screaming in agony and shouting in pidgin (local) English "I go die - o" meaning, I will die. I pleaded with the officers not to kill him and my exact words were "please don't kill him". The British Airways staff said that the officers were doing their jobs and that nothing was going to happen. The noise became louder and other passengers started getting concerned and were complaining especially about their safety. The situation continued for another 15 minutes after I got on.

Eventually, a member of the cabin crew announced that the passenger was going to be removed and the passenger was removed from the plane and we all thought that was the end of the situation. Five minutes later,

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two members of the cabin crew arrived with about 4 police officers and told me to get off the plane. I asked what the matter was and they said that I was not going to travel with the airline because the cabin crew thought I had been disruptive by questioning the noise being caused by the person that was removed. I pleaded with them that I was going for my brother's wedding and that I had all his stuff with me. I was dragged out of the plane as if I was resisting arrest. As we got to the corridor that linked the plane with the terminal building, I was slammed against the wall and made to sit on the floor. I was still pleading with them telling them that they had completely misunderstood me and that I was only complaining about the situation regarding the disturbances caused by the deportee they were trying to restrain and subdue. I was on the floor for about 20 to 25 minutes. Another passenger was brought to the corridor as well and he was also pleading with the officers.

I was later put in the back of the police van at about 1:50pm and I was locked up there for about an hour or more still handcuffed. I was formally arrested approximately 2:30pm and my rights were read to me. Before the arrest in the van, I managed to reach for my pocket and brought out my mobile phone. I made some phone calls to my wife, sister and a friend while the low battery sign was on because I was all alone and still handcuffed.

I was later driven to the police station where I was formally checked in. I was in police custody for almost 8 hours and later released on bail after the interview with the duty solicitor and the detectives. I had £473.00 on me which was seized as well as £90.00 sent to my mother in-law from my sister in-law and £1,050.00 given to me by my cousin who is a doctor for the upkeep of his parents in Nigeria. All the money together was £1,613.00. I was told that I would appear in a magistrate court to prove the money was not meant for crime or proceeds of crime. The officer told me that they will like to see traceability and that I needed my pay-slips and bank account detailing my payments and withdrawals as well as my cousin's payments and withdrawals.

I was released but without the money. I made my way to terminal 4 and arrived there at about 12:30am but the British Airways kiosks were closed. I was directed to the staff room and told them that I wanted to rebook my trip to Lagos. A lady told me to give her my ticket and she stated that British Airways has banned me from traveling with them indefinitely and that only the managers can use their discretions because I was a 'disruptive passenger'. I requested for my 2 piece luggage and she told me that the section will be opened later at about 5:30am and I will be escorted in to collect them. I slept on the chair and waited till about 5:30am and attempted to rebook my ticket but was told that British Airways....... Read the whole story and others <HERE> 

BA's other troubles *The crucifix BA was threatened with a boycott by protesting Christians, after Nadia Eweida, a check-in worker, was suspended for refusing to remove her crucifix at work.

Links: Nigerians Threaten Boycott of British Airways
           British Airways Maltreatment of Nigerians
           A World of Casual Racism Exposed in BA
           Indian Passengers alleged Racism in BA

Hello Geri,

You have hit the nail right on the spot:
"As a human race we have to move beyond the apathy and fear if we are ever going to truly be brothers and sisters"

I completely agree with you dear friend, we can only fight to success if we do it together!

Thank you.