Teen activist Mari Copeny shines a light on the bias that followed her into first class

At just 16, Mari Copeny has made waves as a philanthropist and activist, advocating for clean water in Flint, Michigan, and fighting for social justice. Yet, even someone as accomplished as Copeny, known by her handle @LittleMissFlint on X (formerly Twitter), isn't immune to the biases that persist in society. Last year, Copeny shared a distressing experience she had while boarding a Delta Airlines flight, shining a light on the discrimination that still plagues everyday interactions.

Copeny's incident, which quickly gained viral attention, underscored the challenges Black individuals continue to face, even in spaces where they are rightfully entitled to be. In her post, she described an unsettling encounter with a Delta flight attendant named Lucy. According to Copeny, the flight attendant rolled her eyes and questioned whether the teen belonged in first class, simply because of her race.

On X, Copeny described how the flight attendant’s behavior made her feel excluded and disrespected. She wrote, "Hey Delta. Maybe check and educate your flight attendants on how not to roll their eyes when they see a Black person with a first-class ticket."

The flight attendant not only doubted that Copeny should be seated in first class but also attempted to redirect her toward the back of the plane, despite the fact that Copeny had a first-class ticket. "This woman just rolled her eyes after trying to direct us to the back of the plane when clearly our seats weren't there," Copeny added. For a young person as accomplished as Copeny, the treatment was not only offensive but also disappointing.

She clarified that this was her first unpleasant experience with Delta, having previously enjoyed many flights without incident. Yet this single encounter left a lasting impression, both on Copeny and the thousands of people who rallied behind her.

Once Copeny’s post began circulating, the internet responded swiftly. The post received over 528,000 views, with many voicing their outrage at the treatment she faced. Users shared their own experiences with racial bias in public spaces, while others expressed solidarity with Copeny.

One X user, @justice7x09, echoed the frustration many felt, saying, "These racists never learn until they are pointed out at the moment. You cared about her privacy, yet she wanted you to know exactly how she felt about you." Another user, @FLTX1991, called out the employee's inappropriate behavior: "It's a shame for employees of any place to act like this. They don't know anything about the people boarding their plane, yet they make assumptions."

Though many supported the idea of taking a photo of the flight attendant to hold her accountable, Copeny chose not to, citing her respect for the attendant’s privacy. Nevertheless, she made sure that Delta Airlines knew exactly who had caused the distress, hoping the airline would address the situation properly. The public outcry forced Delta into the spotlight, with hundreds demanding that the airline take action against such discriminatory behavior.

As Copeny’s story gained traction, Delta Airlines responded, sending an apology to her via email. The airline thanked Copeny for bringing the incident to their attention and acknowledged that the actions of their flight attendant did not align with the company's values. Delta assured her—and the wider public—that they do not tolerate racist behavior from their staff.

In their apology, Delta promised to learn from the incident and improve the experience for all future passengers. They committed to making Copeny’s future flights more comfortable, but the damage had already been done. This incident served as a stark reminder that systemic bias can surface in even the most mundane interactions, like boarding a flight.

Stories like Mari Copeny’s are a reminder that, despite strides toward progress, discrimination based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status still persists in many areas of life. The public response to Copeny’s viral post is a testament to the fact that people are ready to hold corporations accountable for their employees' actions.

While Delta Airlines may have apologized, the lasting impact of the flight attendant’s behavior raises questions about how much work is still needed to ensure equal treatment for everyone, regardless of their background. Mari Copeny’s courage in sharing her experience has not only sparked important conversations but has also highlighted the work that remains to be done in the fight for true inclusivity.