Naomi Campbell: British Airways Used Racist Slur

LONDON (AP) _ Model Naomi Campbell says she is sorry she assaulted two police officers during a dispute about lost luggage aboard a British Airways plane. But she has refused to apologize to the airline, accusing it of racism.

British Airways strongly denied the charge.

Campbell, 38, was sentenced Friday to 200 hours of community service and fined 2,300 pounds ($4,600) after she pleaded guilty to kicking, spitting and swearing at the officers aboard a plane at Heathrow Airport in April.

In an interview with Sky News broadcast Saturday, Campbell said she regretted her behavior and said "I apologize profusely" to the police.

"As for British Airways, I don't apologize," she said.

Campbell accused British Airways staff of having racist attitudes.

"I was called a racial name on that flight," Campbell said, adding that her violent behavior "was part of my reaction." She did not say who had called her the name, but said it was not a passenger.

In a statement, British Airways said it "does not accept any allegations of racism."

"We are proud of our diversity. We fly to 90 different countries around the world and employ a multi-nationality work force," the airline said. "We have strict policies concerning dignity at work and have long-standing training programs on diversity and inclusion."

Campbell has a history of assaulting assistants and employees.

Last year, she was sentenced to a week of community service in New York City after admitting "reckless assault" for throwing a mobile phone at her housekeeper.

In 2000, she pleaded guilty in Toronto to an assault charge for beating an assistant while making a film in Canada.

Comments

[TakLoufer]

If the unnamed slur was something like 'uppity', it fits her. She's a spoiled, out-of-control has-been. I can think of a dozen non-black people who earn the 'uppity' insult, including Cindy McCain, Rosie O'Donnell, & Jennifer Lopez.

[bazokbros]

Naomi's problem is she is the little girl who cried wolf one to many times. This time she may have some legitimacy as to her claims. Apparantly she claims that one of the British Airways flight attendants called her a "golliwog" which in the UK is or more offensive than being called n-word. Naomi also has witnesses agreeing that's what really set her off.

She should apologize but this may be a situation that she was clearly provoked by someone who had an agenda knowing calling a black person a "golliwog" would set her off. The term is also referenced to an Agatha Christie novel "Ten Little Niggers" which was retitled in the US "...And Then There Were None" or "Ten Little Indians"

http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/golliwog/

[totalliberal]

The only thing worse than using ethnic slurs is lying about the use of ethnics slurs. It diminishes the victims of the real thing.
I've flow on British Airways for years, they are the most ethnically diverse international airway in the world.

[sjmarie]

She should just admit that she has an anger problem. Don't try to make excuses for your behavior. I don't know why i'm reading this stupid article or why this is in the news.

[LiberalBuzz]

Liar.

That's all she is.

A liar. If she told me it was daylight I would look out the window first.

Liar.

[booker52]

What was her excuse for the phone throwing??? I think Naomi is a liar in this case.

[DocManhattan]

Sure, Naomi. So exactly why did you decide not to raise this in court, seeing as it might have been a mitigating factor in reducing your sentence? What? Oh, becasue it's a complete lie?

That's weak.

[OpusIsUnderTheBed]

There is an act that is more serious, more base, more disgusting, than speaking a racial or gender slur. That act is spitting bodily fluids on another human being.

[aristippe]

I'm sure by this point she's tried to get professional help. Could you even imagine what it must of been like to work for this woman during her prime. Man I bet there are some stories.

[Portnoy]

Sure they did. Its NEVER their fault.

[mypov123]

THEY? Ummm...I'm Black and I don't fully believe Naomi Campbell's story either, I mean the woman is obviously troubled. However, don't think that excuses you to make generalizations and whine that ALL Black people use racism as justification for their actions when they've done something wrong. You may not be aware of this, but racism and bigotry still exist.

[BrianMac]

Giving Portnoy the benefit of the doubt, I think s/he meant "their" in reference to people who would cite fictional or non-fictional racist remarks as an excuse for assault or other destructive behavior. The "their" could be referring to people who have well-documented anger management issues, especially celebrities. But I could be wrong. What say you Portnoy?

[Ecoutez]

I so much agree with you my sistah in terms of Naomi's behavior. However, some people's children will never understand racism as it affects Black people. The only way to have an inkling of what it feels like is to do a John Griffin, i.e., chemically darken their skin as he did to write "Black Like Me" and see what happens. Once the chemical wore off Mr. Griffin ran track to get back to the white world.

[uheardme]

What do you mean "their" fault? Bigot.

[jellygraph]

Ya right, as if anyone can believe you anymore

[rzan]

No one will believe you, Naomi. You have a notorious history for violent outbursts. Maybe it's because your time is up as a supermodel. You're now considered too old, and like so many fashion models, you have no other skills or talents.

[chronic]

Many high fashion models go on to do great works and have successfull careers after the runway.

Lets not broadbrush and entire industry and those that work in it all because of this silly woman.

[rzan]

Yeah, like selling cosmetics on television or becoming really bad actresses. Tyra Banks is the exception.

[sa]

um....yeah, right.

.

[marymansour]

Naomi Campbell is known for her short fuse. She has even hit an employee on the head with a cell phone. I am no believer in ethnic slurs but one wonders what this woman was acting like that brought some forth one the part of British Airways.