High Flying, Adored - 15-Year-Old Girl Pilots a Plane Coast to Coast

I see that some people just don't get it. While in many cases, stressing one's color of skin doesn't matter, I believe it does here. We live in a nation where we have children treated unfairly because of their skin color.

Not only that, but we still have people who wholeheartedly believe in discriminating on people based on skin color. On just about ever article on AOL, there are several people making comments that are ugly, racist, and hurtful. What is even more suprising is the amount of people who give 5 stars to these intolerant comments without considering what damage these comments do to us as a nation. On another website, a post about Sasha and Malia Obama was pulled because of the amount of racist comments spewed by "adults."

We still live in a nation where racism is a reality, even after electing a biracial president. We live in a nation where adults think it's ok to hurl slurs and hate to children just because of the color of their skin. We still live in a nation where some people believe in segregation and discrimination. Stereotypes of minorities in this country live on, and the efforts of those who seek to break through the stereotypes need to be acknowledged. This young lady is one of these people, and her accomplishments are truly appreciated.

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Hello and congratulations on such an extremely well deserved "GREAT JOB!" My son just turned 14 and has wanted to become a jet fighter pilot/naval aviator since the young age of 2! Since watching the movie "TOP GUN", he has been engrossed in the field of flight and is determined to accomplish his dream to become a pilot. After I read your story, I had him read it too and it has given him that little extra "umph" that he needed seeing that someone has accomlished such a feet at such a young age!!! Congrats again and I just wanted to let you know that you are affecting young teens around the world more than you know in a very positive way! Keep it up kid and you will go far in life!
Sherry

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This is confusing. She is the youngest African American 15 year old girl to pilot an airplane from coast to coast, Does this mean that there were other fifteen years olds of other "races" who have done this before??? When is this kind of reporting going to end? It's rediculous. In this article the catagory should be fifteen year olds; since this acomplishment is unusual for any 15 year old female,

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You are to be commended on your accomplishment younglady. I look to the future for the 'sky is definitely your limit'. Know that the 'human race' is proud of you.

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I have two new Hero's, Mr. Thornhill for risky his Life again, for us and what He stands for and Kimberly for trusting in herself and the positive people around her. Mr. Thornhill, I bet this young Lady has a lot of you in her! And Thank You, to the safety pilot for keeping them safe with the help of our Old Mighty God. GREAT TEAM!
Rosemarie

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Come on people wake up! the reason the media MUST use the term African American is because they WANT to perpetuate the race thing. Keep it in your face. If the media would cut the crap there would be A LOT less animosity. But noooooooooo. media = a holes

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Alice, yes they do tell the stories of all races. did you read the story of the young man who has sailed acrossed the world solo. He was white. I am very proud of any young person who accomplish their goals in life. Remember this was not Al Sharpton reporting this news of the young lady who flew across America, this is AOL reporters.

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I would like to apology for Bobby Walters if he has offended anyone on this post. The reason why is because this article is about a child and I believe that nothing negative or offensive should be posted about it. Congradulations again to Ms. Kimberly.

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Awesome! Gave me goosebumps.

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THIS YOUNG WOMAN LOOKS LIKE ASTRONAUT MATERIAL TO ME. ATTAGIRL!!!

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Nice work for such a young person to be that focused and diligent, no question there, nice article too, aside from the writer thinking her race needed to be mentioned, this kind of action, this kind of writing will simply keep us re-living the past. Why cant we all just be people? Aside from banks, many journalists are the second worst bunch of cash hungry single minded people out there...

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I am truly proud of young Kimberly. Imagine having an original Tuskeegee Airman as your flying companion! What must that have been like.

It would be nice if we could avoid mentioning ethnicity at such times, but when a people have been labeled lazy -- when the country was built on slave labor; even though our ancestors (not their masters) worked in the fields from sun up to sun down, and beyond; ate scraps from the master's table; were told they couldn't learn to read or write, and were stupid, it is necessary to continuously put the lie to these accusations. Perhaps one day it will sink in that it is the human spirit that always triumphs, and that the human spirit has no race or ethnicity, and cannot be shackled. Remember, it was only a couple of days ago that minority children were denied the right to swim in a pool in Pennsylvania. Racists won't allow us to forget that people are people.

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Afro American? And here I thought we were all just Americans...

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Alice, Alice,Alice: What do you mean by made up. Give the girl her due. If it were you child you would want the story to get out. Stop the hate.

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I almost cried when I read this! Congratulations Kimberly! This is so special on so many levels. For such a young girl to make such a great accomplishment is incredible, but to also honor the Tuskegee Airmen who don't always receive the recognition that they should is just inspiring. You're an amazing girl, and I know that you'll serve as a role model to so many others!!!

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I think it's rediculous they say anything about race. if it said a "white 15 yr old girl" did it then we would be racist but bc it says african american it's ok. there can be a BET but not a WET..black history month but not white history month...We would be considered racist if we did any of these so why aren't blacks considered racist..Get over it..we're all the freakin same stop using your color or the past as an excuse. You want to be considered equal so stop making it an appoint to put freaking AFRICAN AMERI
CAN in every story. Color doesn't matter

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congratulations to her and now why did it have to be a race issue by saying the youngest African American by saying that it implies that there have been younger kids that weren't black have done the same thing and in doing so I think it takes away from her accomplishments

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I don't think there was any racial matter in this article. Then again, we can clearly see that she is African-American, black, whatever. Congrats Kimberly! You have made history!

Sincerely Yours,

Mouse

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Way to soar, Kimberly! I was wondering if the media still remembered how to report good news. I hope the feat brings a parade in Compton for you because you accomplished something that very few have even attempted. I hope that your determination, courage and spunk take you far in life and that this remarkable achievement is just the beginning for you.
I also hope that this inspires other young people to strive to be great and to achieve great things in their lives.
As for your passenger, Levi Thornhill, I hope this country never forgets you or that you put your life on the line and also achieved great things in defense of your country...
I can't speak for everyone but I feel somewhat more proud being an American today.... thanks for waking me up with a great story

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Right On!!!! & Props to the Tuskegee Airmen for showing their support!!!!!!

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