Racism Is Wrong Regardless The Colour Of The Racist

I believe, at my very core, that to treat someone differently due to their colour, culture, socio-economic or religious background, is wrong. I believe we all should have equal rights and the same opportunities as each other. I believe we are all members of a very large and extended family.

Yes, I am getting carried away.

But you get my point. I hope. People should be treated in accordance with their own merit, how they conduct themselves and how they contribute to society.

On Saturday, I witnessed something that made me seethe.

I boarded my bus, after finishing work, and couldn't believe what followed.

The bus driver, who was black, was telling passengers with dark skin to not validate their multi-trip tickets, to not pay, to just sit down.

I had to pay.

Initially I thought I had misunderstood something. Perhaps he had meant for me to not validate my ticket either. But as the bus continued onwards, and passengers got on and off, it became clear to me. The people who did not have to pay did not seem to know the driver. Indeed, they seemed surprised.

Other white people had to pay. Asian people had to pay.

Racism, whatever form it takes, is a hateful thing. I believe what the driver was doing was a racist act.

I got off the bus at my stop, took the registration plate, went home and called the bus company.

The man I spoke to asked me if I was sure about the situation, that it happened they way I reported it. When I gave assurance that it was indeed a truthful and accurate account, he went on to say that it was a "touchy subject". I am sure that it is. Particularly because the racist was black. But racism is racism, regardless of the colour of the racist.

I have been told it will be investigated and that I will be contacted and updated on the progress of the investigation. I only left my contact details because I thought if I didn't, it wouldn't be investigated fully, if at all.

Also, the buses all seem to be fitted with CCTV, so it should be relatively easy to prove what I have said.

When things like this happen, I often see myself, more and more, like Victor Meldrew. If you have ever watched One Foot In The Grave, you will know what I mean. Poor Victor, episode after episode, tries to do what is right, what is just, and it always bites him in the backside. It seems I have no choice, but to become Victor.

I now have visions of not being able to catch my bus, depending on how events roll out. But I did what I think was just. And it does not escape me that one of my role models, Rosa Parks, made her historic stand in 1955, on a bus. A black lady, she refused to give up her seat for a white passenger. She stood up for what she believed by staying sat down. She wasn't the only person to make such a statement, but she was also involved in many other factors of that period, which all contributed towards the American Civil Rights Movement.



My reporting this incident does not compare to the contribution this lady made towards equality and humanity, but history has shown us that a lot of little incidents can lead to major events, and they are better nipped in the bud.

So, it is now Monday afternoon, and I haven't yet heard anything regarding the investigation.

They have one week and I will follow it up!