CHICAGO, IL – Tech multi-billionaire Elon Musk faced backlash from prominent civil rights groups after his criticism of United Airlines and Boeing’s efforts to diversify their workforce. Musk’s remarks on social media claimed that diversification has compromised air travel safety. This drew swift condemnation from the National Urban League and the NAACP, who denounced Musk’s comments as abhorrent and pathetic.
Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, highlighted the irony of Musk’s statements, pointing out that Tesla, Musk’s own company, is currently facing a lawsuit from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for alleged racial abuse against Black employees. Morial emphasized that Musk’s company not only failed to address these complaints but also retaliated against employees who spoke out against the abuse. In response to Musk’s remarks, Morial called for an apology rather than any further commentary on workplace diversity.
Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP, joined the chorus of criticism, pointing out the dangers of hate speech and white supremacist conspiracy theories proliferating on Musk’s social media platform. Johnson stressed the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in cultivating a more inclusive society and emphasized the distinction between fostering inclusivity and promoting dangerous ideologies.
Musk’s decision to enter the discussion about airline safety comes in the wake of the January incident where a panel blew off a Boeing jet while in flight. Musk’s comments on the topic began with a response to a user on social media who speculated about the IQ scores of United Airlines pilots from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Musk used this to attack diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, suggesting that it would take a tragic airplane crash for policies promoting diversity to change.
In another post, Musk quote-tweeted a post criticizing Boeing’s diversity efforts, questioning the prioritization of diversity hires over passenger safety. This particular post gained significant attention, amassing millions of views within hours.
Earlier this week United Airlines also experienced several aircraft incidents including an engine fire, hydraulic system issue, a wheel falling off one jet and an engine catching fire on another. It was the airline’s fourth emergency in a week. The response from United Airlines was a refusal to comment on the matter.
A Former FAA safety expert recently addressed the airline DEI controversy by saying that becoming a commercial airline pilot should be based on merit, not skin color or gender, for the safety of passengers.
“Diversity really has nothing to do with safe travel,” Kyle Bailey told Fox News Digital.
This week, the The Wall Street Journal reported that the Department of Justice is conducting a criminal investigation into the Alaska Airlines Boeing mid-exit door blowout this January.
