January 26th 2024.
Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla and SpaceX, has once again sparked controversy with his comments on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This time, he targeted aviation programs, suggesting that a catastrophic plane crash may be necessary to put an end to what he called a "crazy policy of diversity and inclusion" in the field.
His remarks, which expressed concerns about the impact on pilot qualifications from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) such as Delaware State University and Texas Southern University, prompted a response from Delaware State University President Dr. Tony Allen. In a letter, Allen called the allegations "unoriginal in their amplification of antiquated racial tropes" and highlighted the historical contributions of their aviation program. He felt it was necessary to address Musk's comments through a letter and also spoke to WBOC, saying, "It took me a little while to think about writing that letter, actually, because I didn't want to dignify Mr. Musk's comments. But then I thought about the history of our aviation program."
Musk's controversial comments, made on January 9 and 10 of 2024, received further backlash from Willie Brown of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Brown emphasized the collaboration between HBCUs and stated, "We want to let Elon Musk know that HBCU aviation programs are here to work together, and we pride ourselves on partnerships."
Allen's response to Musk's remarks was also motivated by a desire to support the students at Delaware State University, particularly those in the aviation program. He wanted them to know that the university and its president stood behind them. Allen said, "It's really about conversation and context, and when I see those things not happening—both talking out of context or not willing to have a conversation—I see it as my responsibility and the university's responsibility to speak out. I did not want his comments to reflect poorly on [our students] in any way. I wanted them to know that their university and university president stood behind them."
In addition to Delaware State University, nine other HBCUs are part of the Federal Aviation Administration's HBCU Initiative Program, which was created to highlight FAA programs that would benefit students enrolled in HBCUs. These institutions include Hampton University, Elizabeth City State University, Langston University, Florida Memorial University, Tuskegee University, Tennessee State University, Texas Southern University, UMES, and Morgan State University.
Amidst the backlash, NAACP National President Derrick Johnson reminded Musk on Twitter that his sheltering of white supremacist groups and platforms on X/Twitter is a bigger problem than a diverse group of pilots. Johnson tweeted, "Reminder to Elon Musk: providing a home for the proliferation of hate speech and white supremacist conspiracy theories kills people. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion cultivates a more inclusive society. They are not the same. We are not the same."
Marc Morial, President/CEO of the National Urban League, also addressed Musk's comments, stating in a statement to NBC News that his company is under investigation due to complaints of racism at Tesla. Morial called Musk's statements "abhorrent and pathetic" and added, "Musk's company not only refused to investigate complaints or take any steps to end the abuse, but it also viciously retaliated against employees who complained or opposed the abuse." He concluded, "The only thing anyone needs to hear from Musk about diversity in the workplace is an apology."
United Airlines, one of the major players in the aviation industry, also released a statement in response to Musk's comments. They emphasized that all of their pilots must meet the same rigorous requirements and stated, "United is proud to maintain the highest standards in our pilot hiring, training, and safety practices. Every aviator who joins our ranks must meet them. No exceptions."
The controversy sparked by Musk's comments has drawn criticism from civil rights leaders, including Johnson and Morial, as well as major players in the aviation industry. It serves as a reminder that diversity, equity, and inclusion are crucial in creating a more inclusive society and should not be taken lightly.
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