Bus driver fired for telling passenger he didn't pick him up 'because you're black'
'I’ve never felt more disrespected or belittled in my life'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Massachusetts bus driver has been fired for telling a prospective passenger he was passed by for a ride because he was black.
Kevin Brooks, a barber from New Bedford, told a local news outlet he was trying to take the bus home from Martha’s Vineyard this week when the vehicle inexplicably failed to stop. The Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) said the bus was full, but the driver failed to turn on the exterior sign saying so.
Trying to make a ferry home, Mr Brooks said he took an Uber to his destination, where he arrived shortly after the bus.
There, he approached the driver and asked why he had been passed by. The driver initially said the bus was at capacity, but changed his tune when Mr Brooks challenged him.
“Well, it’s because you’re black,” the driver said.
Mr Brooks said he was stunned by the interaction.
“I am from the south. If I feel racism I deal with it. For the first time in my life I had to swallow it,” told MV Times. ”I’ve never felt more disrespected or belittled in my life. I had trouble sleeping that night.”
The VTA confirmed Mr Brooks’ account, saying it had reviewed video footage of the incident.
“The VTA and their operating company, Transit Connection Inc … have a zero tolerance policy for this type of behaviour,” the VTA said in a statement. “The vehicle operator involved in this incident has been terminated from employment, effective immediately.”
Mr Brooks said he did not want to take the driver’s livelihood away, but felt he had to stand up for what is right. He said he had also contacted the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and was considering a lawsuit over the incident.
“The video shows everything, that’s all I’ll say,” he said. “This isn’t over, I want to get this out there.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments