Citing a series of recent “troubling” incidents, the NAACP issued a statement Tuesday warning African-Americans to avoid traveling on American Airlines.
Their statement reads in part:
“The NAACP for several months now has been monitoring a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African-American passengers, specific to American Airlines. In light of these confrontations, we have today taken the action of issuing national advisory alerting travelers—especially African Americans—to exercise caution, in that booking and boarding flights on American Airlines could subject them disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions. This travel advisory is in effect beginning today, October 24, 2017, until further notice.”
The organization cited several incidents they described as “alarming,” including one in which an African-American woman — who is also a student at Harvard Law School — and her baby were kicked off a flight from Atlanta to New York City after she requested her stroller be retrieved from checked baggage before disembarking.
“The growing list of incidents suggesting racial bias reflects an unacceptable corporate culture and involves behavior that cannot be dismissed as normal or random,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement. “We expect an audience with the leadership of American Airlines to air these grievances and to spur corrective action. Until these and other concerns are addressed, this national travel advisory will stand.”
According to NBC News, an American Airlines spokeswoman did not directly respond to the advisory but said the company was “disappointed” as it is “proud to serve customers of all backgrounds.”
Another spokeswoman, Shannon Gilson, reportedly said the NAACP is invited to the company’s headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.
“We are committed to having a meaningful dialogue about our airline and are ready to both listen and engage,” NBC quotes Gilson saying.
This isn’t the first time the organization has issued a travel advisory to black Americans. Earlier this summer, the NAACP issued a travel advisory to Missouri over racist attacks in the state.
Source: RealClearLife||Diana Crandall
