Now, let me say at the outset, I do not want to diminish what a physical and psychological pain in the backside it surely is to be a flight attendant assigned to serve husband-wife mega-church co-pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen and their of course, whatever we do we'll be forgiven haloed brats. I'm sure the Osteen family was a preening handful, and would believe so even if they hadn't been kicked off the plane and fined $3000 for the fit they threw over a quarter-sized splotch of liquid on their first class seat. I wouldn't want to sit through one of their sermons, never mind earn my living primarily by fighting the urge to jam that hot washcloth down their life-giving, supposedly golden windpipes.
Nevertheless, the claims of Sharon Brown, the flight attendant suing Victoria Osteen for pushing past to her so she could allegedly harass a white flight attendant rather than a black one, is yet one more example of how ill-equipped many of our fellow citizens are for any adversity, up to and including rude customers:
Shayna Patrice Lee, a psychiatrist, testified that Ms. Brown
suffers from “major depression” and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result
of the scuffle. She said that because Ms. Osteen was a well-known
religious figure, her behavior caused Ms. Brown to “question the whole issue of
spirituality.” Moreover, Dr. Lee, who said she had expertise in treating
African-American patients, said Ms. Brown, as a black woman, was especially
harmed because Ms. Osteen’s behavior made her feel “demeaned and humiliated.”
And what will fix this "post-traumatic stress disorder"--the diagnosis of which, I suppose, puts waiting on the Osteens on par with fighting insurgents in Iraq-- if not a wad of cash? The Osteens, of course, cannot let such a suggestion stand:
During cross-examination, [the Osteens lawyer] Mr. Hardin asked Ms. Johnson when
she and Ms. Brown’s lawyer, Reginald McKamie, had decided to play the “race
card.” Red-faced and waving his hands, Mr. Hardin asked her if she knew the
Osteens’ congregation was a third black and a third Hispanic.
Ugh. I suppose this means the rest of us who can't say, in effect, You know, some of my best parishioners are black must have no real defense against charges of racism. Or against the Osteens. I think I better stick to coach and keep my head down.
Comments