American Airlines is in the headlines again for what some have claimed is a case of racial profiling.
The airline has apologized for accusing and removing two players in Dallas on the Memphis Grizzlies' minor league team, the Memphis Hustle, for allegedly stealing blankets. Assistant coach Darnell Lazare believes the incident happened because the two players were black. He took to Twitter to express his outrage over the situation.
It’s 2017 and a Flight attendant for @AmericanAir sees 2 young black athletes with blankets from first class, his 1st comment is “did you steal them” how about you teach people to get the facts first before jumping to conclusions. ????#beingblackinamerican
— Darnell Lazare (@Dhouse35) December 24, 2017
According to the Associated Press, the two players identified as Memphis Hustle guard Marquis Teague and forward Trahson Burrell boarded a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, hoping to travel with no worries at all.
When two first-class passengers gave the players their blankets as they headed to their seats in coach, a flight attendant, who was black, suspected the worst. There was a heated confrontation and then the two players were escorted from the plane.
Moments later, an airline manager sorted out the situation and discovered that they were given the blankets and allowed the players to fly first class. Airline spokesman Joshua Freed said Tuesday that the situation is currently under review.
"We take pride in bringing people together, and we know that on this flight we let some of our customers down," Freed said. "Our team at American, along with Envoy Air, is reviewing what happened, and will be reaching out to them."
This incident comes almost two months after American Airlines was listed on the NAACP travel advisory for accusations of discrimination in the past, including numerous cases of black passengers being removed. The civil rights organization warned any person traveling with the airline to reconsider.
“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 dismissed 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."
