I believe the announcement said Kirby was going to "set aside" 50% of the slots for minority candidates.

That sort of "hold back" or "set aside" indicates pre-selection, preferential selection and preferential hiring, and is therefore discriminatory in nature. In addition, the pilots of United were not asked or polled in any way if this sort of activity is acceptable. HR runs pilots hiring, and not the pilots. Another example of HR interfering with internal processes in Flight Operations that is frankly none of their business.

If SWA, DAL, AA, and JB do this sorta thing, I might change my opinion. However, I see it as more reverse discrimination and a direct and overt attempt at liberal appeasement for the sake of scoring cheap PR and political points.