Something Stinks

If you click here it will take you to an AP News article exposing a story that really stinks.  An American Airlines flight attendant removed eight African American men from a plane in January 2024.  This story was very odd to me because he removed all the African American men who were on the plane.  The flight attendant said that one of them had an offensive odor.  Keep in mind that these Black men did not know each other and did not sit together.   Not knowing who had the odor, the flight attendant removed all of them.  Ok, so he knew it was a black man who smelled bad but because he was not sure which black man it was he removed all of the Black men on that flight.  I don't know what the American Airlines policy is for dealing with passengers with offensive odors but I would hope this is not it.  After an hour the men were allowed back on the flight.  If the odor was that bad why let the person back on the flight? Singling out all the Black men on the plan shows the lack of sensitivity to the rights and feelings of these men.  This story is in the news now because three of the men are now suing the Airlines.  American Airlines needs to be clear on their policy regarding this type of partiality.  The Bible teaches us in James 2:9 not to show partiality.  

James 2:9 

but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as a transgressor.  

The situation on this flight could be seen as racism, and American Airlines could be known as a racist company, but we all need to question our own motives to see how we are practicing similar behaviors when it comes to the people around us.  This flight attendants represented American Airlines.  It was their job to handle this situation as the written policy allows.  Christians have a responsibility to follow the polices written in the Bible, because you represent Jesus Christ.  What people are we showing favoritism towards?  Who are we discriminating against?  Let's take steps to move towards obedience to the Scriptures.