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All-Black women crew operates American Airlines flight from Dallas in honor of trailblazer Bessie Coleman
An all-Black female crew operated an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Phoenix in honor of Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman to earn a pilot's license in 1921. (www.cnn.com) More...
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So much for diversity - AA just does not get the point. Next we will have an all white crew operating a flight in honor of Wright Brothers who were part of the group given the first certifications in the US in 1911. Just like the Wright Bros I am sure Bessie Coleman would prefer to be honored for her flying skills not for a piece of paper and certainly not for the color of her skin.
Yes but she WAS Black and Blacks at that point were still only ~ 60 yrs removed from slavery and were still facing a great deal of in-your-face discrimination, insults, and disrespect. That was still an era that would continue for another 30-40 yrs of physical attacks of the most violent and shameful kind on Blacks. So this must be put in the context of the times in which Bessie lived. Today of course Blacks are accorded the respect and kindness they deserve as accomplished contributing Americans. but back then it was a life of great uncertainty for them. Some whites treated them well but others were grossly insulting rude and threatening to them. To my mind Bessie was indeed a courageous pioneer. Courageous b/c certainly she prevailed against the discouraging disrespectful racial insults and snide put-downs. Pioneer b/c she indeed was such. I for one am very proud of Bessie and every time i see her in an aviation museum i give her a silent moment of admiration and appreciation. But more than that Bessie was a fine looking young woman. I would have loved to have known her and been her friend.
I get your message but don't believe the aviation business in the 1920's reflected the average conditions that you mention. The aviation business like many technology based ones were more egalitarian and focused on the skills presented. After all there was only a very small percentage of the population willing to enter a risky business like flying. Personally I don't think she faced any racial discrimination in her desire to be a pilot. She got the same abuse that the white people got: "you must be a crazy person to fly - period. And we don't want to associated with a crazy person. As I said: AA don't get the point. Celebrate success not color: celebrating color just highlights that AA thinks that there is a relevant (to piloting) difference that it makes. Not what she would have wanted per reports of her character.
