Trial set in 'racist rhyme' lawsuit - Black passengers say they were alienated by flight attendant


Was just watching The Abrams Report on MSNBC and he was discussing this suit:

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Feb. 13 — A judge has set a trial date in a discrimination lawsuit filed against Southwest Airlines by two black passengers who were upset when a flight attendant recited a version of a rhyme with a racist history.


GRACE FULLER, 48, and her sister Louise Sawyer, 46, were returning from Las Vegas two years ago when flight attendant Jennifer Cundiff, trying to get passengers to sit down, said over the intercom, “Eenie, meenie, minie, moe; pick a seat, we gotta go.”


The sisters say the rhyme was directed at them and was a reference to its racist version that dates to before the civil rights era: “Eenie, meenie, minie, moe; catch a n——- by his toe.”


“It was like I was too dumb to find a seat,” Fuller said. Sawyer said fellow passengers snickered at the rhyme, which made her feel alienated.


The sisters are seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.[...]

Good sweet lord. Abrams had just gotten done discussing the refiling of the equally absurd McDonalds obesity lawsuit (the first one had been dismissed).


This one brings oversensitivity to new heights. Apparently, the kid's rhyme could have some racist overtones - of course, almost no one knows that, including the flight attendant who clearly had no intention to cause anyone any harm. One of Abrams' guests was a civil rights attorney who was absolutely (and entertainingly) apoplectic about it. He was insensed that ridiculous lawsuits like this could be filed and thus risk having all civil rights lawsuits taken less seriously. It was great to see - couldn't agree more. The sad part about it is that some federal judge actually let the suit go forward.


Unfortunately, people will feel the need to appear to take the issue seriously, lest they be branded racist or insensitive. On the other hand, I think a little ridicule is exactly what the doctor ordered for people who file such complaints. No sense in letting the example breed.