American Airlines allows BLM pins on employees, says it is ‘not a political cause’

An American Airlines employee stated in an interview: “Clearly we live in a time where it is so important to have a dialogue about this important issue of racism in our society and try to find common ground. American is truly committed to having an inclusive culture that is welcoming to all and a reflection of our country and world,” according to Fox News,

“This is why American is so committed to creating a more tolerant and diverse team. Through our partnership with American’s office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we are continuing to work through an overall plan for addressing these issues in our workplace.”

An anonymous female flight attendant responded to the airline’s management office by email:

“I take offence to this. Serious offence. My husband is a LEO (Law Enforcement Officer), as was my deceased father and as far as I’m concerned ALL LIVES MATTER. I am completely disgusted at the fact that we can’t show support for our GOD, our COUNTRY, our LEOs but when it comes to BLM organization (which is controversial in itself), American Airlines says that’s obviously different. And we can. How is that right? Well, I don’t feel included.”

Another flight attendant spoke with the press commenting that they plan to wear their Trump pin if people are allowed to wear pins expressing political postures.

Jill Surdek, a senior vice president with AA responded: “Our Christian, veterans and LGBTQ groups, for example, have developed their own pin that can be worn as part of the uniform. [We see BLM] not as a political cause but as a universal cause about humanity and equality. Fundamentally, Black Lives Matter is an expression of equality … It doesn’t mean other lives don’t matter, rather that in our society black lives should matter and be valued the same as others. That’s not political.”