(WWJ) A Detroit woman thanked friends and family for their support this weekend and noted that her mood has been low since she says she was forced to move seats on a Spirit Airlines flight when a white woman objected to sitting next to her.
"I can barely talk about it with my mom without getting choked up and bothered all over again," wrote Tiarra Dow on Facebook. "My family was mad that I didn't want to celebrate yesterday, but my mood is really just off as of lately and I hope you all understand ... I'm still trying to wrap my head around a few things but I just want you all to know I love and appreciate you guys. Keep sharing the story, keep spreading awareness and keep spreading love."
Earlier, Dow had written multiple posts with photos and videos that she said show the woman who stood in the aisle when Dow tried to take her assigned seat on the flight from Chicago to Detroit. The woman reportedly refused to sit down until Dow was reassigned to another seat non-adjacent to hers.
Spirit Airlines staff asked her to move, Dow said. Numerous white people offered to switch seats with her, and Dow said the woman settled down and let the flight continue.
Dow said passengers jeered at the blonde woman who refused to sit by her and several called her a racist. The middle-aged, well-dressed woman reportedly said she didn't object to Dow's race, she didn't want anyone in the empty seat next to her.
Dow noted, though, that she stopped fussing when the young, white woman replaced her in the seat.
For its part, Spirit says it reached out to Dow and hasn't heard back from her. Even without her input, Spirit says it is conducting an ongoing investigation.
"Spirit Airlines has zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind on our flights and we pride ourselves on providing an inclusive and safe environment for our guests," a spokesperson wrote to WWJ in an email.
Dow later posted an explanation video for all the people who told her she should have beaten or attacked the woman. She said some people had gone so far as to send messages and leave comments calling her a 'slave' and a 'weak bit**' for her calm response.
"Excuse me for knowing that if I did put hands on this woman I would be in jail, my child would be wondering why I wasn't home, I could have loss my job , name tarnished all of that because I chose to punch this woman in her face. Was she rude ? Yes. Did she block the entrance to the row ? Yes. Did she touch me? No? Did she threaten bodily harm to me? No What would have been my reason for fighting this woman if I was arrested ??? Those are the questions I would have been asked if that was the route I chose. Some of you have no responsibilities and it shows. This was my experience I handled it the best way that I could ----♀️ Sorry Knuckin and buckin was not an option for me. Stay blessed Kings and Queens."
