United Airlines introduced optional Blacks Lives Matter pins for employees last week. Employees must purchase them, but are allowed to wear them on their uniforms; one of the few exceptions to United’s dress and appearance policy that prohibits most pins and other accoutrements. A United pilot sent me a detailed note explaining why he was against such pins. He asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. I know he speaks for many employees and felt his prose was well-written and his points worthy of discussion.
United Pilots Explains Why He Opposes BLM Pins
It is undeniable that African Americans have faced historical discrimination in the United States. It is also true that despite great progress, equality in opportunity has not been achieved when some continue to see our Black brothers and sisters as inherently suspect merely on the basis of their skin color. But addressing this matter through a divisive and inherently political pin while prohibiting other pins will merely cause more division and hinder the very goal of equality and reconciliation such pins purport to espouse.
I know that Black Lives Matter is not an organization, but a movement. And I fully and wholly subscribe to the notion that black lives do indeed matter. To say so does not mean or imply that other lives matter less. Rather, it recognizes a truth amongst a historically-marginalized people and is a sign of solidarity that all lives truly matter.
Nevertheless, I have strong reservations about this pin and United’s selective endorsement of political causes.
I choose to prove that Black lives matter through my daily interactions of showing respect, kindness and inclusion to ALL employees and customers I come into contact with; no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. I don’t need a pin as an affirmation of who I am as a person. The statement Black lives matter should be supported by ALL.
But certain organizations have hijacked the BLM slogan to go way beyond the pursuit of racial equality. In doing so, BLM has become toxically associated with divisive political causes that seek revolutionary overthrow of an American system that, though flawed, has made remarkable progress and continues to do so.
United has a legal prerogative to support some issues and not others, but not a moral one. I asked if I could wear a Blue Lives Matter pin to show my solidarity with law enforcement personnel and was denied. Why is saying “Black lives matter” appropriate and saying “Blue lives matter” not appropriate? I come from a family of police officers. One died in the line of duty. He took an oath to protect and defend all people and that is exactly what he did. When law enforcement is lumped into a single category based upon the actions of outliers, we are guilty of the same type of prejudicial discrimination that have afflicted African Americans. Police officers are ministers of justice, the vast majority who bravely and courageously do their part to protect and defend the vulnerable. We should be thankful for them, not shun them as if all must atone for the sins of the few.
I fear allowing this pin and not others, especially a blue lives matter pin, will cause the very division we are trying to eliminate as a company. A lot of good people will likely get caught up in arguments that could have easily been avoided by prohibiting all pins beyond union, 9-11, military, and American flags or permitting no pins at all.
In conclusion, I see a problem in how the universal truth that Black lives matter has been commandeered by hateful and divisive organizations. I also see a problem that in permitting this message over others, United unnecessarily sows division amongst employees and does not advance us toward our shared ultimate goal of liberty and justice for all. It should either allow more pins or allow no pins at all.
As a mixed race man, I agree fully with this pilot!
Well there you have it world- Derek and his mixing pot of DNA, fully agrees with this Pilot, no need for further conversation, because mix-raced Derek has added his two cents-Thanks Derek and your color blind parents
Thx Derek #sellout
Signed
Another mixed race Derek who thinks you’re a sellout
Yeah so don’t wear it and worry about keeping your job. I’ll never understand why some People care more about this than the psp at this time. Selfish and short sighted.
Ua employees have an option to purchase, not “must”.
Couldn’t have been better said.
This pilot is absolutely right.
UA shows a difficult way how to deal with the situation among others.
But that gesture will divide more than
unite.
Black lives are a race of people. Blue lives are an group of people with the same employment. You can’t draw an equivalency between the two. They are not making YOU wear the pin, but yet you seem to object to the fact that some people on one side of the argument view “Black Lives Matter” as something that they have to argue AGAINST…which is just the reason why the movement exists in the first place. The very fact that you believe that the statement “Black Lives Matter” is divisive IS why the pin and movement need to exist, until racism is not an issue DAILY for people of color.
I think a modification as simple as Black lives matter instead of Black Lives Matter would take the controversy out of the pin.
I agree 100%. I am also a pilot at united and simply take the position that United could have used any number of slogans on a pin to show support for my fellow black employees and passengers. The same end state could have been achieved with an original pin and I would have bought many and proudly worn it. But for those who get offended by those who don’t support the naming of this pin whether you want to or not you have to admit that BLM has been associated with a very radical message and some very inflammatory rhetoric and messaging. That’s not my fault. And before you decide to hate on my post recall I mentioned I would proudly wear a pin of a different slogan not associated with BLM…
Exactly what percentage of black do I need to be to join this race? Will a modicum of Indian suffice? I’d love a precise identification.
Well done that pilot.
Some of the comments here attacking an individual poster are disgusting. We are all entitled to our own opinions, and attacking someone for his opinion using racially charged language is abhorrent. When a mixed race man raised solely by his white family becomes President he is without a doubt 100% a black man. When another disagrees with the extreme that represents SOME strands of BLM he is a mixed race sellout? Is there no shame?
Yawn. Thanks for giving the bandwidth to someone who thoroughly misses the point
What is the point, then? My husband is a police officer in Columbus, Ohio. He is also black. I am sick and tired of of thugs calling him an Uncle Tom because he keeps us safe. I am a United flight attendant btw.
Your Aunt Tommisha
It would be silly to think that people who say Black Lives Matter somehow think police officers don’t matter and need to die. Ever notice how blacks aren’t being killed by the police in places like Canada, Australia, UK? weird huh? and those places all have police officers.
I’m going back before BLM to the early 2000’s when UAL decided to dump our pensions on the PBGC.
An ALPA rep ( pilot union) made a statement to the Denver Post that he never in his life expected that he’d be reduced to putting on a Home Depot apron to pay for his house, etc. His attitude was that he was too precious for that. I ( a UAL flight attendant) called him on that and reminded him the pension cuts would affect others more severely, as we didn’t make enough throughout our long careers to put food on the table with cuts, and that he was putting down people at Home Depot who worked under a lot harder conditions than he ever had.
His response: He had kids in expensive colleges and a boat he had to pay on ( he also had a second home and more toys that he bragged about) and that I didn’t understand what he was going to have to give up. It was the flight attendants’ fault that we didn’t negotiate better contracts, failing to note that the pilots always expected F/A support on the picket line and then didn’t support our return to work after they settled.
My point—HE has a relative who is a policeman , so if we honor anyone else and not HIS beliefs, it shouldn’t be allowed. Kind of like some pilots believe Home Depot employees aren’t as worthy as a pilot. Thankfully there are some damn fine pilots, but far too many think they should make the decisions for the company. Yeah, didn’t work out too well when they did have the ear of a CEO who left them with useless ESOP paper.
Pilots have never been discriminated against ( unless you were black or female). As I told the ALPA pilot years ago, they need a course in TACT and LIFE 101. Until you’re on the receiving end of discrimination, you need to rethink your easy life.
Good for you, Shana! I too am a ua fa.
I appreciate the writer’s heartfelt and thoughtful analysis. There is no doubt that police officers put their lives on the front line and serve a commendable purpose. That said, the police force was never systemically oppressed or marginalized. The Black Lives Matter movement seeks to address that: to bring to the forefront the dire issue of institutionalized racism and violence against our Black brothers and sisters, and to demand the equality in treatment they so deserve. I thank all the just and hardworking police for their work, but what is the Blue Lives Matter asking for when the police force has never been a historically marginalized or oppressed group?
The other thing that Blue Lives Matter folks also miss is that cop killers are not shielded from justice when caught. They are prosecuted and sentenced to the full extent of the law. Grand juries don’t come back with no charges since any proficient DA can get a grand jury to charge a ham sandwich for a crime.
Well put, Gio!
@MaKr – Bit self-serving to give thanks for the bandwidth you use posting a comment with no other content, eh?
I am a Black Woman and I totally agree with what this Pilot said. I do not need a slogan to Identify who I am. You see that I am black when you see me; so give me the respect and justice that I and every other black person deserves. Dont treat me different because of the color of my skin. I dont need preferential treatment to sugarcoat the situations. Let us fix the broken system, and I say “US” because my black brothers and sisters need to also be accountable and responsible.
Completely agree with the pilot!
I stand with our first responders who act heroically day in and day out. If you allow any entity to be shown, you should allow all!
“toxically associated with divisive political causes that seek revolutionary overthrow of an American system that, though flawed, has made remarkable progress and continues to do so.”
At least your writer is smart enough to not say “Marxists” like a Fox News host or Louie Gohmert might.
Meanwhile, militias are trying to “liberate” Michigan from their elected governor through actual armed revolution.
Ask your correspondent if they know how MLK was viewed in the 1960’s by whites in polling (hint: legitimately “divisive”). Most social movements like interracial marriage or (more recently) gay marriage were. Note that the divisive point we’re talking about is that black people die in police custody an awful lot more than in Canada or the UK.
That is very likely how this is going to be looked at in 50-75 years: things that are “divisive” now will be kind of embarrassing, like how people would seriously have argued that desegregating water fountains or schools in the 1940’s was “divisive” (and let’s not forget, there were riots all through the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s that people used to argue how “divisive” these issues are- it wasn’t always MLK in a suit and a tie making dignified speeches). Let’s try to be on the right side of history.
The “right side of history” argument falls apart when it comes to BLM. That is because BLM’s core premise is based on a false narrative that black people are being hunted by the police (and by white society at large).
It’s divisive because it is not true and people realize that going along with it will inevitably lead to more destruction and unrest in society.
This is completely different from things that were actually happening in the civil rights era.
Yes, we should mandate free schools K-12 for all Americans, mandate hiring preferences for minorities (except Asians) , preferences for college admissions, free health care, section 8 housing vouchers, food stamps for everyone making less than 50k a year. Encourage single parent households. Excuse all criminal behavior by blaming personal choices and actions on the police or system racism or whatever. Elect Democrats who refuse to improve public education and demand there will be NO School choice. When in doubt, blame racism and burn buildings.
This will definitely result in s more fair, inclusive and tolerant society, right?
@Howmuch – (except Asians) ?
I think he means Asians are not proper minorites.
The don’t have low incomes (on average), have no problem finding employment, are not persecuted by law enforcement, etc.
This refusal to show solidarity with other minorites makes them ineligible for benefits.
I can’t wait for the next travel related article from Matt. “I heard from a United hostess who supports abortion.”
If she wants to take the time to send me an article, I may publish it…
The pins are optional. Lighten up, Francis.
@Pete: A majority of Americans support access to abortion, with some limits.
Really what world are you living in? Most people despise abortion….. NOT accept it.
and I am yet another Derek except that I post as derek.
BLM has totally ignored sexism. Black women are almost never shot by the police. When they are, in the case of Breonna Taylor, they were shooting into a dark room. It is sexist to assume that women commit fewer crimes just like it is racism to assume that Blacks are a bunch of criminals. BMLM. BLM is supported by Putin and his operatives push for BLM as a way to destabilize America. Remember BMLM. Black Male Lives Matter.
A rare voice of reason when it comes to this issue! Kudos to the UA pilot for putting forth a cogent and widely held point of view. Too many corporations have fallen over themselves to see who can kneel the lowest at the BLM alter. (By the way it is indeed an organization)
Courtesy, good manners and respect for othes is not rocket science. It doesn’t require pins. The workplace does not need to be politicised with everybodies favorite cause by allowing only some pins and not others. Focus on flying safely, on time, with baggage and treat people fairly, speak your vision through behavior.
First, it is clear that this particular United pilot watches a bit too much Fox News. Black Live Matter is a peaceful organization, and just like any organization, there is always a more radical segment of it. Indeed most of the BLM protests are peaceful but since there are no conflicts, most mainstream media chooses not to show it. I reject that obviously biased perspective that BLM is a violent organization because it is simply not true.
Second, Blue Lives Matter is just a bad example and it is just the same argument about “reverse discrimination”. Why do the law enforcement need a Blue Live Matter movement when the whole system is designed to protect them and when is the last time you see a police officer especially a white policeman being punished for shooting a black man? Why do we need a Blue Live Matter movement when there is a strong police union that looks after and protect their interests? I will argue that the police union in the United states is the strongest in the whole country. The facts are just clear that while being a police officer is a dangerous job, it is more dangerous being a black man and woman because you can be shot just being at the wrong place and the wrong time. The pilot quoted here lost a family member, who was a police officer and killed while on duty. He has my sympathy but where is his sympathy for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and list of countless names of black men and women. I am sure his police officer family member got a proper funeral with all the honors that should come with his or her sacrifice, but how about Breonna Taylor? Sure her family got a settlement which was the minimal the city can do, but will justice ever be done? No! Will there be a fair investigation? No! That’s why there is a strong Black Live Matter movement.
Finally, if you want to an ally of your African American or Asian or Latino friends, being kind and showing respect is just the minimum you can do. If you truly care about them, you will see how our country treats them during the daily life and understand why BLM matters. Do you need to worry about being pulled over by a police for something as minor as going 5 mph over speed limit? Do you need to worry about constantly being followed by security in department stores just because of your skin color? Do you want to know how a Black mother feels every time his son goes out for something as simple as jogging in the neighborhood or buying some last minute grocery in a nearby local supermarket? Do you want to know to know the sadness of any black father and mother in this country, who has to have the “talk” with their sons? Do you know how you feel if you know you are being judged in a different way on every single thing you do? Something your white sister wears might be cute, but if a black sister wears it, it is slutty and inappropriate.
Ultimately, the BLM pin is optional. If you don’t like it, don’t buy or wear it. If you truly understand racism and how it affects people of color, you will understand why we need a BLM pin! United is just basically doing the minimal to support its black employees by compromising with a small pin, and if you can’t accept that gesture, I don’t think you are an ally of a person of color. Of course the fact that he thinks BLM is run by a group of hateful and division organizations already tells me the truth. Maybe he or she should go talk to some BLM organizers during his or her layover at some of these cities next time!
We have enough info to know that the BLM org is extremist Marxist org that wants socialism here in the states…
“One of the most high-profile founders of the Black Lives Matter organization – now one of the most influential and powerful political movements on the planet – has a long history of supporting Venezuelan socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro has presided over one of the world’s most repressive regimes since 2013 when his predecessor Hugo Chávez died. Under Maduro, Venezuelan police forces have committed a long list of human rights atrocities including the torture, kidnapping, rape, and killing of unarmed protesters. Under Maduro, Venezuela has become an especially dangerous place for minors.
In light of the prominence of Black Lives Matter – a global non-profit currently receiving millions in donations – photos have begun to circulate of Opal Tometi, a founder of the organization, hugging Maduro at the 2015 People of African Descent Leadership Summit in Harlem, New York, where several high-rank officials of the Venezuelan regime also participated. Maduro, currently banned from the United States, was in town for the annual United Nations General Assembly.“
Photo:
https://img.particlenews.com/img/id/0IFc0S_0PKTbqAA00?type=thumbnail_512x288
…there are many more examples of this. most of us will pass on BLM.
Nice try tho.
Black Lives Matter is not an organization. It is a movement, a philosophy. It has no headquarters, no board of directors, no letterhead. Fox News, QAnon, OANN and Infowars are not reliable information sources.
Call it what you want. The movement is Marxist. This had been admitted by countless BLM chapter leaders. Google it. You can choose to be ignorant, but you can’t change the facts.
What a well-written piece.
I am a Black Woman and I totally agree with what this Pilot said. I do not need a slogan to Identify who I am. You see that I am black when you see me; so give me the respect and justice that I and every other black person deserves. Dont treat me different because of the color of my skin. I dont need preferential treatment to sugarcoat the situations. Let us fix the broken system, and I say “US” because my black brothers and sisters need to also be accountable and responsible.
We know Blue lives matter – that’s why we give them guns, armor, and the authority to inflict violence on anyone who resists. Not to mention relentless and scathing justice if they are wrong. Black civilians have nothing. And by trying to hijack the BLM message with Blue is divisive and misses the point.. so that’s why the airline doesn’t want that message attached to their brand.
Until Andorians land on the Earth, blue lives are not a ethnic race. I support the police when they are doing their jobs! I do not support the police that abuse their authority.
Hopefully it’s the Vulcans first…would love some of their logic right now…
When I get on an airplane the last thing I want to reminded of is any pin other than a proper name ID pin.
UAL in the 80’s put applications for Black applicants ahead of more qualified pilots. All the other airlines followed this and today a Black (Colored) applicant will be hired ahead of the most qualified non Black (colored) Applicant. Blacks have a clear advantage with preferential hiring. The BLM pin is a bridge too far. The pin will cause disharmony with employees.
BLM was hijacked by Soros and Buffet money supporting a marxist takeover of our society. Sorry but majority still rules. America has been and is a Christian nation based upon Gods natural laws. Americans are tolerant
of all religions and races. The BLM movement has done harm to race relations. No one likes radical ideas pushed on them.
@twajohn—please try a different tv network other than Fox and please stay off the internet as you are spouting BS such as Soros- and Buffet-funded Marxist delusional crap. And God’s natural laws? Say what? Crawl back under your rock now.
Exactly right! Preferential hiring over more qualified applicants to meet a quota.
BLM IS an organization – if you google them they will tell you where to send money and what they believe in. Do any of you realize they want to destroy all the Jews too? Nobody should support the organization period. Now as for the movement that’s a different story. Why not just try being nice to everyone as a start? Pretty simple. As for the shootings- pretty simple- when the police tell you to stop – you stop. If your not doing anything illegal then it won’t be a problem!
Generally speaking, I think the corporate embrace of movements like this are not helpful, unless they include real and tangible actions. Some PR department moves like this do nothing but cheapen the movement and the lives the movement seeks to improve.
I do, however, take issue with the notion that BLM seeks to “destroy America”. The aim is to improve this nation so that its promise is for everyone. If that means some things get broken along the way, so be it. An America whose promise is only for a few isn’t worth preserving.
Corporations should never be political..or they become the latest fad movement.a lot of talk no action. Not unlike celebrities..used for advertisement. Put the money on the ground, not in shill movements. All that money..lost. in funding talking heads. Shame.shame.
I am a Black Woman and I totally agree with what this Pilot said. I do not need a slogan to Identify who I am. You see that I am black when you see me; so give me the respect and justice that I and every other black person deserves. Dont treat me different because of the color of my skin. I dont need preferential treatment to sugarcoat the situations. Let us fix the broken system, and I say “US” because my black brothers and sisters need to also be accountable and responsible.
Wow, best response I’ve read anywhere….. and it’s simple, as you said….. it boils down to accountability and responsibility in everyone’s personal, work life and family life – unfortunately, characteristics missing everywhere, with every race of people. Buttons, pins and slogans, ribbons and rainbows just aren’t going to change people. Either they’ve been raised with a sense of respect, responsibility, caring, a conscience, etc. or they have not. Workplace diversity, inclusion and tolerance classes attempting to teach adults like they are five-year olds entering kindergarten ? Can’t change what is already in the hearts and minds of people – they have to want to change themselves!
Wake up people!!!!
Why don’t we send a few hundred million pins with BLM slogan to Africa, and ask these people struggling to survive every day, how they feel about the West ignoring them, and letting thousands of children die every day due to war, malnutrition and disease? Let’s ask a mom with a dying baby in her hands how she feels whether or not we should wear a pin?
We should all be ashamed we are fighting about this nonsense, while we close our eyes to the real evil that’s happening far from our comfortable homes binge watching brainless tv.
Think beyond what you see!
I’ve learned so much today…
Personally, I do think Black Lives Matter. I guess that means I’m an anti-semitic Marxist who will soon be receiving a check from George Soros. Am I supposed to destroy America with that money?
I totally disagree with this pilot.
1) Wearing a pin doesn’t cause division. Racism does. If someone has an issue with BLM that’s on them and they should look long and hard at themselves and the contents of their heart.
2 the pilot says they believe black lives matters but then goes on to say“Nevertheless, I have strong reservations about this pin and United’s selective endorsement of political causes.” It’s one or the other. It’s either a statement we should all agree with or it’s a political statement. And since when is BLM a political statement? It’s not.
3- blue lives matter is an entirely different animal. First of all there’s no such thing as a blue life. It’s a profession not a race. And “blue lives matter” was only created as a jab at Black Lives Matter so of course United is justified in saying Blue Lives Matter pins are not acceptable. Blue Lives Matter goes against everyone who truly believes black lives actually matter.