Imani Cezanne via Twitter
Poet and activist Imani Cezanne tweeted about the run-in she had with American Airlines flight attendants over the weekend which resulted in her being forced of of the plane and banned from the airline.
Cezanne has become a popular poet for enthralling and captivating poems like “Heels,” which focuses on the gender politics of height in men and women.
On Friday, she boarded a plane to fly from Charlotte to Atlanta over the Easter weekend when flight attendants reportedly harassed her over seating.
Today I was escorted off of a plane by two armed caucasian male officers. I have never believed so strongly that I could die at any moment.
— Imani Cezanne (@imanicezanne) March 26, 2016
Who knows a lawyer? Specifically one that is well versed in racism/discrimination. American Airlines bout to cash this Black girl out.
— Imani Cezanne (@imanicezanne) March 25, 2016
Never in my life have I encountered such blatant, irrefutable racism. Never. @AmericanAir
— Imani Cezanne (@imanicezanne) March 25, 2016
#flyingwhileblack @AmericanAir
— Imani Cezanne (@imanicezanne) March 25, 2016
According to her tweets, Cezanne sat across from a couple that did not speak English. The flight attendant explained that exit row seats were only for English speakers.
After boarding my flight I sit in an exit row. The couple across the aisle from me does not speak English. @AmericanAir
— Imani Cezanne (@imanicezanne) March 25, 2016
Fligh Attendant says that if she is unable to explain procedure, she must seat someone else in the exit row. Understood. @AmericanAir
— Imani Cezanne (@imanicezanne) March 25, 2016
Cezanne understood and was prepared to move to a new seat. She began speaking to a passenger nearby about the situation when she was interrupted by the same flight attendant. Cezanne was then asked if “she would be a problem.”
Why would she ask me that? Is that an appropriate way to speak to a customer who is calmly having a conversation with someone? @AmericanAir
— Imani Cezanne (@imanicezanne) March 25, 2016
I respond with "Are you going to be a problem? Why would you ask me that?" Then storms off to get a manager. @AmericanAir
— Imani Cezanne (@imanicezanne) March 25, 2016
After the two exchanged words, the flight attendant’s manager got involved because the flight attendant reportedly felt “threatened.” Cezanne was forced off the plane. According to the poet’s tweet, she did not raise her voice or become belligerent.
Nothing about my voice, tone, body language etc. communicated "threatening." Other than, of course, this Black body. @AmericanAir
— Imani Cezanne (@imanicezanne) March 25, 2016
Further tweets say that Cezanne was banned from the airline and stranded in Charlotte as of Friday, March 25.
This is how you can literally be walking away from an officer and be shot dead. Because he "felt threatened." @AmericanAir
— Imani Cezanne (@imanicezanne) March 25, 2016
Her story trended on Twitter with the hashtag #FlyingWhileBlack. Others shared their previous run-ins with the airline:
@Joparedes2 @imanicezanne @AmericanAir and she was too racist to handle your questions as anything other than challenging her 'authority'
— Camalita Lee Daniels (@Camie2007) March 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/internetgirl93/status/713620357693853696
Spread this thread. @AmericanAir y'all better do sum'n major about this right cheaaa!!! #flyingwhileblack https://t.co/cUCL6uASHO
— Taharka Anderson, M.A.Ed. (@taharkaanderson) March 26, 2016
American Airlines has a history of racial incidents. This year a Muslim woman was profiled based on her religion. A flight attendant harassed Tahera Ahmad after she requested an unopened soda. According to Carbonated TV, the flight attendant refused to give the Muslim woman an unopened can of Coke because it might be used as a weapon.
The airline responded to the poet via Twitter. In a tweet, American Airlines asked Cezanne to follow them so they could direct message each other about the incident.
And yes, I have finally been contacted by @AmericanAir. More to come.
— Imani Cezanne (@imanicezanne) March 27, 2016
