Originally Posted by
NotMrNiceGuy
This is the crux of the differing views of the entire conversation. And it’s one that IMO the opposing sides are not likely to agree on.
The problem, IMO, has nothing to do with the color of the skin of the beneficiary. The problem has everything to do with preferring one skin tone over another at the expense of every other qualifier (including economic background).
I’m sure that there are pilots out there that have skin color preferences. But the percentages from both sides are likely not to be agreed upon. IMO, it’s a low single digit number. But I could see a world where one particular outspoken poster here believes that somewhere around 50% of pilots harbor untoward racist thoughts toward other skin colors (And 100% of Fox News watchers). I would say that is not a good faith belief/argument, but that’s just me.
I remember a few years back where there was a poll taken about how many unarmed black people were killed by police in the US. One political demographic believed the number was in the thousands. The other believed it was degrees of magnitude less. I think this indicates very different starting points for both sides. And one side is more rooted in reality than the other. If either side will not give an inch, progress will be slow and painful. There’s probably similar polls about COVID for what it’s worth.
Disparity in views about race by political leanings
TLDR - To say that pilots only have a problem when certain skin colors are advanced ahead of others is a misrepresentation of the argument.
I’ll give the benefit of the doubt as to whether or not that is intentional.
Don’t try to put me into a box. I vote republican, I watch Fox News, I support the police, I do not support BLM or similar movements. I have put my life on the line for my former colleagues and watched them do the same for me, regardless of color. I judge people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. As such, it has been my experience that 99% of the men and women I have worked with in this industry are good people who do not harbor racist views.
That said, I will absolutely call out half truths and/or blatant hypocrisy. DEI represents a myriad underrepresented groups, not just race. Yet, there are multiple comments in this thread which focus on the colorful nature of DEI initiatives while simultaneously criticizing the existence of such policies. While these individuals may also take issue with other forms of favoritism, this thread has been most critical of DEI, and at least a couple of posters have equated DEI to “colorful packaging”. As such-I’m not playing the race card.
Please provide an example of someone who was advanced ahead of someone more qualified based on DEI principles. If by chance you are able to produce such evidence, please tell me how that would be any different than a guy who knows a guy that knows a Chief Pilot and gets his resume moved to the top of the stack? Happens all the time.
I think we all agree that all of the airlines are hiring at the low end of the experience spectrum. A quick glance through the new hire class photos at all of the legacies will easily reveal that DEI is but a myth. Airline pilots are still one of the least diverse groups of professionals. So if we are already hiring at the low end, and 90% or more of those people are not minorities, please show me evidence to support the idea that highly qualified individuals are being passed over due to DEI.
My argument is simple. This is fake news.