In the weeks that followed, American Skyways implemented new training, tighter oversight, and a series of diversity initiatives. Whether those efforts would lead to lasting change remained to be seen. But one thing was undeniable: what began with a single denied meal had triggered a much larger reckoning—one that no one aboard Flight 782 could have anticipated.

And for Michael Carter, it wasn’t just a personal win—it was a powerful reminder that the pursuit of respect is never over, no matter how far you’ve come.