Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/926592
T he NAACP, the nation's original and largest social justice advocacy organization, has released the following statement today announcing a travel advisory warning African-Americans about their safety and well being when patronizing American Airlines or traveling on American Airlines flights: "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 until further notice. The series of recent incidents involve troublesome conduct by American Airlines and they suggest a corporate culture of racial insensitivity and pos- sible racial bias on the part of American Airlines. Among these incidents: An African-American man was required to relinquish his purchased seats aboard a flight from Washington, D.C. to Raleigh-Durham, merely because he responded to disrespectful and discriminatory comments direct- ed toward him by two unruly white passengers; Despite having previously booked first-class tickets for herself and a trav- eling companion, an African-American woman's seating assignment was switched to the coach section at the ticket counter, while her white compan- ion remained assigned to a first-class seat; On a flight bound for New York from Miami, the pilot directed that an African-American woman be removed from the flight when she complained to the gate agent about having her seating assignment changed without her consent; and An African-American woman and her infant child were removed from a flight from Atlanta to New York City when the woman (incidentally a Harvard Law School student) asked that her stroller be retrieved from checked bag- gage before she would disembark. The NAACP deplores such alarming behavior on the part of airline personnel, and we are aware of these incidents only because the pas- sengers involved knew their rights, knew to speak up and exercised the courage to do so promptly. Historically, the NAACP has issued travel advisories when conditions on the ground pose a substantial risk of harm to Black Americans, and we are concerned today that the exam- ples cited herein may represent only the 'tip of the iceberg' when it comes to American Airlines' documented mistreatment of African- American customers." "All travelers must be guaranteed the right to travel without fear of threat, violence or harm," stated Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. "The growing list of incidents suggesting racial bias reflects an unacceptable corporate culture and involves behavior that cannot be dis- missed as normal or random. 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," I N T H E N E W S NAACP ISSUES NATIONAL TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR AMERICAN AIRLINES Calls for Meeting With Airlines to Discuss Troublesome Issues NAIC ISSUES STATEMENT ON GAO REPORT ON DISPARITIES IN ASSET MANAGEMENT R obert L. Greene, president & CEO of the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC), recently commended (Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), for their efforts towards remov- ing barriers limiting diverse investment managers from participating in over- seeing federal retirement plans. He also stressed the value of greater invest- B M & T ••• November/December 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 6