Having used cabs in New York many times:
1) I find it surprising Roker uses a cab instead of a car service. In fact, Roker should have a personal limo with chauffeur as part of his compensation package at NBC, given his stature.
2) When multiple people are hailing cabs, cabbies often don’t see all of the potential fares. Countless times I’ve been bypassed for another rider 50 feet beyond me.
3) If it was near the end of the cabbie’s shift, and Roker had luggage with him, the cabbie may have passed him by to avoid a long trip to the airport. Many times I’ve stood on the street in Manhattan with luggage trying to go to the airport and been passed by empty cabs around shift change time. For that very reason I started using a car service and scheduling a pickup when departing to the airport. The cost differential was only a few dollars more than a cab, the ride was more comfortable, and the time savings was significant.
4) It is disappointing a wealthy, successful media celebrity like Roker is looking for a slight and spends time playing the victim card. As a white American I’ve experienced black store clerks wait on a black customer standing in line behind me, I’ve experienced black employees in fast food restaurants taint the food I was served, and I’ve had black government employees deliberately provide slow service or put me through an administrative ringer smiling the entire time. I’ve also experienced blue blood white Harvard grads look down their noses at me for my state university education. Early in life I learned I could ignore the narrow minded, racist, and elitist bigots or I could live in a state of perpetual outrage at every real and perceived slight. Having made the right choice I’m sure I live a happier life than those who wallow in the cesspool of victimhood.
As a black man who has “made it” Roker should play the role of leader, not victim. By indulging in the publicity afforded by victimhood he only perpetuates the mindset in the black community they can’t get ahead due to racism so they shouldn’t even try.