will.i.am Accuses Qantas Airways Staff of Racism
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will.i.am Accuses Qantas Airways Staff of Racism

Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am has recently shared a terrible in-flight experience via Twitter. On Friday, the artist was flying from Brisbane to Sydney, and a flight attendant called the police on him because he wasn't able to put his laptop away.

He first wrote, without mentioning any specifics, "I'm sorry to say me and my group have experienced they worse service due to a overly aggressive flight attendant... I don't want to believe she racist. But she has clearly aimed all her frustrations only at the people of colour."

In another tweet, he then showed a photo of a policeman, tagged Qantas and said, "I was making music wearing noise canceling headphones on the plane... I'm sorry i couldn't hear the P.A...I complied when she's tapped me on the shoulder to put my laptop away...It's sad that your #RacistFlightAttendant sent the police..."

".@Qantas Your #RacistFlightattendant was beyond rude & took it to the next level by calling the police on me. thank god the other passengers testified that SHE was out of Control the police finally let me go. imagine if the police were as aggressive as Lorraine Marshall," he continued in another tweet. "@Qantas every passenger & race should be greeted with a smile & treated with respect. There was so much tension on the flight I didn't want Lorraine to serve me food cuz I didn't want to add to her stress. I thought I was doing the right thing by escaping to music #wheresthelove"

Still, despite all this, will.i.am won't stand for the hate some people are spewing against the flight attendant. Aggressive commenters have written harsh words online. And to this, will.i.am said, "Please do not send Hate...This type of disrespect and name calling is uncalled for...I don't support abuse & attacks like this...I hope that everyone can be more compassionate & understanding towards one another...because it was the lack of compassion that caused this #noH8"

Qantas has responded to the incident. In a statement to News.Com.Au, a spokesperson said, "There was a misunderstanding on board, which seems to have been exacerbated by will.i.am wearing noise cancelling headphones and not being able to hear instructions from crew. We completely reject the suggestion this had anything to do with race. We'll be following up with will.i.am and wish him well for the rest of the tour."

Photo via Getty