You are using an older browser version. Please use a supported version for the best MSN experience.
Previous Next

Screenwriter says he was prevented from boarding Delta flight ‘because I’m Black’

The Independent logo The Independent 12/15/2022 Bevan Hurley
Meghan Markle says stranger's comment on Canada flight 'triggered her'
What to watch next
UP NEXT
UP NEXT

A Black screenwriter flying home from an Emmys award ceremony in Los Angeles says he was prevented from boarding a Delta flight while a group of white passengers were waved through.

Darnell Walker, a children’s TV writer and documentary maker, said he arrived at the gate at Los Angeles International Airport 17 minutes before it was due to depart for Boston on Monday.

Mr Walker said in a viral Twitter thread he was told by the gate attendant that he was too late to board the flight, as they stopped allowing passengers to board 15 minutes before take off.

The attendant then waved through white passengers behind him in the queue, and allegedly admitted to Mr Walker it was because he was racist.

“Gate agent said it was too late to get on my flight - it wasn’t. Told me to get rebooked at (customer service) then he scanned in the people behind me,” Mr Walker said in on Twitter.

When he asked why the passengers behind him were allowed to board, he says he was told to “go over there”.

“Your employee... didn’t let me onto the flight because I’m Black,” he wrote in a tweet to the airline.

Delta has launched an investigation into the incident.

Darnell Walker was in Los Angeles to attend the Children and Family’s Emmys ceremony (Courtesy of Darnell Walker) © Provided by The Independent Darnell Walker was in Los Angeles to attend the Children and Family’s Emmys ceremony (Courtesy of Darnell Walker)

Mr Walker, an Emmy-nominated writer whose credits include Netflix’s Karma’s World and Seeking Asylum, told The Independent in an email he had been left deeply upset by the experience.

“As a constant traveler and explorer, it benefits me to believe the world is a good place, so when meeting people so rude and disrespectful, it makes me question a lot,” he said.

Screenwriter Darnell Walker says he was prevented from boarding a Delta flight while white passengers were allowed on (Courtesy of Darnell Walker) © Provided by The Independent Screenwriter Darnell Walker says he was prevented from boarding a Delta flight while white passengers were allowed on (Courtesy of Darnell Walker)

“This is nothing new to me. I’m from places where I’ve had to deal with these issues nearly my entire life.”

Mr Walker had been in Los Angeles to attend the Children’s and Family Emmys Award at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles Saturday night.

After filing a formal complaint on Tuesday, he said he had heard from Delta to say it was investigating.

In a statement to The Independent, a Delta spokesperson said: “Delta has zero tolerance for discrimination in any form.

“While we investigate what this customer alleges to that end, we are also in touch with the customer directly to hear more about their experience.”

From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here.

Go to MSN Home
AdChoices
AdChoices

More from The Independent

The Independent
The Independent
View the full site
AdChoices
image beaconimage beaconimage beacon