British Singer-songwriter, Jamelia, was accused of not having a first-class ticket by white passenger while catching train at London Euston station with her youngest daughter (Tiani) after a photo shoot. The 36-year-old R&B start posted a series of tweets about the incident on Thursday, January 12 describing how she and her daughter responded to this woman's obvious display of discrimination.
So, I got on the train with my 11 year old daughter...didn't even sit my bum on the seat good & a lady approaches me & asks me if I have...— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
...a 1st class ticket. I look around. My daughter & I r the only black people in the packed carriage. I ask her "why did you ask me that?"— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
...she replies "well I've just seen the conductor & he won't let you travel in this carriage" I ask "why?" She says "you need a 1st ticket"— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
I ask "why have you assumed I don't have a 1st class ticket?" She says "well, have you got one?" I reply "have you?" She says "yes I have"— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
I ask "what made you ask that question to me and no one else?" She says "it's because I wanted to sit with you, I just need to make sure"— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
I say "I don't need a ticket for u to sit opposite me, no need to lie, my 11 year old could tell you why you asked, why not just be honest?"— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
...The least you could do is admit you were wrong to do so" her "no, I wasn't wrong, what are you implying?" - try flip the script on me 😂😂😂— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
I laugh, and say "let's be honest, you've asked me because I look like young black girl & you've allowed your prejudice to speak for you"— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
"No, that's not it, I would ask anyone I'm sitting with if they have a 1st class ticket" i burst out laughing she says "don't laugh at me"— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
I look her dead in the eye & say "let this be a lesson to you, don't you ever make this assumption out loud again, I hope you feel ashamed"— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
I then pick up my stuff & move to another table in the carriage with my daughter...a white guy sits down where we were sat...Not. A. Peep.— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
My daughter looks over at the lady and says "Are you not going to ask him for his credentials then?" The lady turned as red as a beetroot.— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
I'm done not calling people out. I am also raising two wonderful young women who will grow up to call you out too...you have been warned 😑😑😑— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
Before anyone asks 🙄😩😂 pic.twitter.com/O0iqhfH77l— #Яebel (@Jamelia) January 12, 2017
Jamelia further elaborated on her blog: “I need to say, at this point, this situation is far from unique,” the singer wrote. “Most of my train travel is first class, and I would estimate that at least 60 percent of the time, I experience this exchange with either another passenger or someone working for the train company. It’s irritating, embarrassing, but I, like many affluent, Black women, accept it as an annoying part of the space I occupy in society.”
I find this to be true in the United States as well, many of my first-class riding black girlfriends have noted getting side-eyes, surprised looks and some out right questioning of their seat accuracy by some white passengers. Though we live in a world of many notable and everyday examples black success and a black First Lady of the United States, personal prejudice and negative stereotypes about what black women are capable of are still very much alive.
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