Over the weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to attend the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. On the way to the event I sat on the airplane listening to Dawn Richard's mix-tape on repeat and felt at ease. However, my tranquility was quickly interpreted when the flight attendant told me that she needed to put my coat up in the over-head bin because I had too much stuff under my seat. I handed over my brand new Versace coat that was shaped like a bell and had wonderful cuffs and neck brace dipped in a satin like fur accented by a leather belt to her quickly.
At the end of the flight I sat there in my seat patiently waiting for the line to grow slim as the passengers in the previous rows packed up and left . During that process I noticed a woman put on a coat that looked just like mine. Due to my new found obsession with fashion I quickly thought to myself that she has GREAT taste since we have the same coat. Then I realized she got the coat out of the bin where the flight attendant placed my pride and joy of structured warmth and I jumped up quickly to yell, "hey that's my coat." The woman rushed off the plane and none of the passengers would move so that I could get to her.
I yelled constantly but no one would move and or help. Even the flight attendants sat there with a blank face. Once I got off the plane it was no surprise that the woman was gone. I went to the bathroom and changed my clothes quickly so that I would be ready to fight for my coat since I figured she would head straight to baggage claim. I used to model and know how to change clothes in 30 seconds or less. I went down stairs and didn't see her. I wanted to cry and was instructed to file a police report.
As skeptical as I was I did so anyway and when I told the officer what happened he looked at me confused. He asked, "why would someone steal your coat off of the plane?" I tried not to smack him due to my high level of anger and I said humbly that I had no clue. A young man leaned over and asked for clarification of the events. I said a lady stole my coat off of the plane. He asked how she looked and I said she was mid 40's , white, my size and had rough blonde hair. He looked at me and laughed as did the officer. I felt upset and held my "choice" words for both of them as the other gentelman said with a straight face..." I just don't believe a white woman stole your coat. Do they even steal like that?' The officer looked at him as if he agreed with his comment.
When I told my mother she asked the same thing to a certain degree as well as a few of my associates. I couldn't help but wonder why people felt that only a certain ethnic group was capable of stealing. This notion seems insane to me and makes me question the education level of people that agree as well as thier moral stability. Why is it that my story would be "more so believable" if a black woman stole my coat? How is it that I am being labeled a liar because the woman that took my coat was white. I simply do not have the necessary level of tolerance to deal with such ignorance.
Please help me guys and let me know if I am wrong for being upset. Is it true that white women do not steal? Is this something we have learned culturally? Do white people feel that all black women steal? Do you have inner beliefs and or questionable opinions of other races? Most importantly what would you do if someone stole your coat off of the plane?
Filed under: News & Opinions
Tags: flying, miss usa pageant, plane, police report, racial theories, racism, theft, things gone wrong on a plane, warning, white women
I'm gonna take a deep breath, get some lunch and come back to comment on this one.
That's a good lunch break LOL
People are taught via media and family views to think that other races are against them. You're probably one of the few people that understand that race has no bearings on a persons actions. All black people do not steal and all white people are not wealthy and or have good credit but these are ideas that we were brought up to believe. We need to work hard to get people to think outside of the box of race and more so in the light of actions. She might be on the plane and unable to afford a coat and saw yours and guessed that you would be able to buy another coat. What were you more upset about, the fact she stole your coat or the fact that you no longer had a coat at that time. I would like to think that people generally steal what they need otherwise the fear of getting caught would defer their actions.
Thanks for sharing. That's such a shame.
Yes, white women steal (obviously not all of them.) I volunteer at a huge annual garage sale here in Chicago, and I could write a book about what I've seen. Last year a young woman walked out wearing a Chanel jacket over her own jacket and there was nothing we could do; we don't give receipts out and she knew that we were not going to accuse her of theft. We have to put out only one shoe if they are priced at over $20 (yes, $20) because people (including white women) step out of their own shoes and just leave wearing their "new" ones.
Andy you missed the point. This incident went from morals to race which is insane.
You're a good writer. It's really a shame you use your writing solely to obsess about such superficial things.
I guess this explains how owning a Versace coat doesn't exactly bolster one's self esteem.
@Andy - I don't think it's the Versace coat so much as the outrageously racist assumption that a white woman wouldn't steal it that is causing this blogger to "obsess"; although I'd be pretty upset if someone walked off a plane wearing my coat, no matter what it cost.
Anyway - I came back to say that I think you should file a claim with the airline. After all, when they lose your luggage or damage your strollers/suitcases etc. you can claim for them. In this instance, you were asked to hand over your coat, which you did. The crew member placed it so far away from you that you no longer had control over what happened to it, AND when you did shout out that someone was stealing your coat, they did nothing to address the matter.
Thank you. I did they said they are investing. I don't know how and they don't have cameras. Maybe they will call all the passengers LOL. Thanks again.
I am fairly stunned that anyone would pull such a stunt, are you sure that it really happened, or did you just want to stir up some controversy.
Dear Big Way,
If I wanted to make something controversial it would be something big. I only go hard or go home. Trust me...sharing my story about a white woman and a coat isnt that appealing.
It's character that counts and it comes in all colors. There are pieces of $hit in every race / color. It is a shame.
That is why when I am in this kind of situation I wear cute and comfy and you will catch me doing the eye roll when I see people wearing anything of value.
You should have swapped something else from under your seat or packed the coat in your luggage.
AMEN and thank you
Maybe you ought to ask Lindsay Lohan that one.