Comments on: American Airlines’ New “Black Atlas” Social Media Site…Why? http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/09/american-airlines%e2%80%99-new-%e2%80%9cblack-atlas%e2%80%9d-social-media-site%e2%80%a6why/ The Blog for Those Who Fly & Those Who Want to Fly Smarter Tue, 15 May 2012 20:37:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Ruth Smith http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/09/american-airlines%e2%80%99-new-%e2%80%9cblack-atlas%e2%80%9d-social-media-site%e2%80%a6why/comment-page-1/#comment-225680 Ruth Smith Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:42:33 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/?p=1462#comment-225680 I've just read all the comments--there aren't that many since 2009. AA is using the American economic system of Capitalism, and they have every right to do so. If all the people who take such emotional offense at this site would use that energy to get the American society to provide equality in terms of health care, education and jobs rather than this one website, we wouldn't be having this conversation! Which is more harmful? Really! I appreciate Lisa and earth163 the most. All of you who care so much: there's only ONE "race"--the Human Race! The division of "race" is a political tool that only appeared in history over the past few centuries. TV & radio--all media targets a particular demographic; look around you! Why would Rev. Al waste his time protesting AA over one website? I don't hear you protesting the hundreds of websites fully dedicated to hate and actively promoting violence another group of people! James, you're boycotting AA? I'm sure they'll miss your business! Yes, slaves were sent all over the American continent. Slavery has existed for thousands of years and continues in a horrible way today. It's just that in the USA they took it to a whole different level by intoducing shades of skin color into the equation, and committing all kinds of physical and psychological atrocities that make Hitler look like a kindergarten teacher. It's a new day and mankind as a whole is maturing into adulthood, gradually putting away its adolescent behavior; rebelliousness, war, prejudice, immorality, irreligon and ignorance. If Black Atlas succeeds, that means people are receiving some benefit from the service it offers. If it fails, that means it is not and AA make go back to the drawing board again. So what? This one site is not going to make or break the most vital and challenging issue facing America: racism. Let's expand our minds and each one who cares focus our energies on DOING something about health care, education and jobs in the U.S. which will go much farther to end inequality. Racism itself, however, can only be changed in the heart of each of us, and through education. I think travelling provides an excellent way to educate ourselves on the oneness of humankind, and I've begun a FB group to that end, called One Humankind. You're all welcome to continue the conversation on it. I’ve just read all the comments–there aren’t that many since 2009. AA is using the American economic system of Capitalism, and they have every right to do so. If all the people who take such emotional offense at this site would use that energy to get the American society to provide equality in terms of health care, education and jobs rather than this one website, we wouldn’t be having this conversation! Which is more harmful? Really! I appreciate Lisa and earth163 the most. All of you who care so much: there’s only ONE “race”–the Human Race! The division of “race” is a political tool that only appeared in history over the past few centuries. TV & radio–all media targets a particular demographic; look around you! Why would Rev. Al waste his time protesting AA over one website? I don’t hear you protesting the hundreds of websites fully dedicated to hate and actively promoting violence another group of people! James, you’re boycotting AA? I’m sure they’ll miss your business!

Yes, slaves were sent all over the American continent. Slavery has existed for thousands of years and continues in a horrible way today. It’s just that in the USA they took it to a whole different level by intoducing shades of skin color into the equation, and committing all kinds of physical and psychological atrocities that make Hitler look like a kindergarten teacher. It’s a new day and mankind as a whole is maturing into adulthood, gradually putting away its adolescent behavior; rebelliousness, war, prejudice, immorality, irreligon and ignorance.

If Black Atlas succeeds, that means people are receiving some benefit from the service it offers. If it fails, that means it is not and AA make go back to the drawing board again. So what? This one site is not going to make or break the most vital and challenging issue facing America: racism. Let’s expand our minds and each one who cares focus our energies on DOING something about health care, education and jobs in the U.S. which will go much farther to end inequality. Racism itself, however, can only be changed in the heart of each of us, and through education. I think travelling provides an excellent way to educate ourselves on the oneness of humankind, and I’ve begun a FB group to that end, called One Humankind. You’re all welcome to continue the conversation on it.

]]> By: La'Twain Left http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/09/american-airlines%e2%80%99-new-%e2%80%9cblack-atlas%e2%80%9d-social-media-site%e2%80%a6why/comment-page-1/#comment-203010 La'Twain Left Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:56:39 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/?p=1462#comment-203010 I went to the AA BlackAtlas site and did a sample flight booking between two destinations and the cost was $2,400. I then went to the Amrican Airlines "normal" site and keyed in the same dates/times and the price quoted was $3,100 THIS IS DISCRIMINATION!!!! Question: If me as a white man books through the BlackAtlas site and then showed up at the airport for the flight - would they check that I was black and not let me fly for being white? I went to the AA BlackAtlas site and did a sample flight booking between two destinations and the cost was $2,400.

I then went to the Amrican Airlines “normal” site and keyed in the same dates/times and the price quoted was $3,100

THIS IS DISCRIMINATION!!!!

Question: If me as a white man books through the BlackAtlas site and then showed up at the airport for the flight – would they check that I was black and not let me fly for being white?

]]> By: James http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/09/american-airlines%e2%80%99-new-%e2%80%9cblack-atlas%e2%80%9d-social-media-site%e2%80%a6why/comment-page-1/#comment-202994 James Sat, 16 Apr 2011 16:43:03 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/?p=1462#comment-202994 This whole PC double standard is really becoming outrageous and actually creating more of a racial divide as white Americans realize that the rules only apply to us.... So I hope that black travelers enjoy the "Atlas"....and I hope that the shareholders of AA will rely of their profits from the 12% black population. I see the whole thing as race pandering and have shredded my AA frequent flier card. I will NOT be patronizing American Airlines ever again and would encourage other Whites, Latinos, and Asians to do the same. This whole PC double standard is really becoming outrageous and actually creating more of a racial divide as white Americans realize that the rules only apply to us….

So I hope that black travelers enjoy the “Atlas”….and I hope that the shareholders of AA will rely of their profits from the 12% black population.

I see the whole thing as race pandering and have shredded my AA frequent flier card. I will NOT be patronizing American Airlines ever again and would encourage other Whites, Latinos, and Asians to do the same.

]]> By: La'Twain Left http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/09/american-airlines%e2%80%99-new-%e2%80%9cblack-atlas%e2%80%9d-social-media-site%e2%80%a6why/comment-page-1/#comment-202918 La'Twain Left Sat, 16 Apr 2011 06:57:56 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/?p=1462#comment-202918 Hi, I am a white man planning a trip to Africa. Does anybody know where I will be able to find the most white people to hang out with? I need to travel and find white people to do white things. Can anybody help me? (now how does that sound folks?) Hi,

I am a white man planning a trip to Africa. Does anybody know where I will be able to find the most white people to hang out with?

I need to travel and find white people to do white things.

Can anybody help me?

(now how does that sound folks?)

]]> By: John http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/09/american-airlines%e2%80%99-new-%e2%80%9cblack-atlas%e2%80%9d-social-media-site%e2%80%a6why/comment-page-1/#comment-202854 John Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:43:37 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/?p=1462#comment-202854 "BlackAtlas" is, unconditionally, categorically outright wholly racist, period. A publicly held common carrier - in this case American Airlines/AMR - that creates and maintains a specialty product exclusive to a race, a specific ethnicity is indeed demonstrating outright racial preference as same caters to, accommodates, gives preferential consideration, promotion and convey unto a specific ethnic group. If a reverse situation were to occur, such as "WhiteAtlas", adjoined with identical manner of all syntax, thusly focused on the Occidental/Caucasian - "white" race and that ethnicity only, there would be endless outrage, protests, lawsuits. It comes as no surprise that nearly every negro in response to "BlackAtlas" finds same "rewarding", "uplifting", "not at all racist"............. I'd give anything to have a "WhiteAtlas" and see how fast the negro community was showing up at airports and AA/AMR headquarters in near if not full on violent protest. Pardon me for being wholly candid. As well, not politically correct. “BlackAtlas” is, unconditionally, categorically outright wholly racist, period.

A publicly held common carrier – in this case American Airlines/AMR – that creates and maintains a specialty product exclusive to a race, a specific ethnicity is indeed demonstrating outright racial preference as same caters to, accommodates, gives preferential consideration, promotion and convey unto a specific ethnic group.

If a reverse situation were to occur, such as “WhiteAtlas”, adjoined with identical manner of all syntax, thusly focused on the Occidental/Caucasian – “white” race and that ethnicity only, there would be endless outrage, protests, lawsuits.

It comes as no surprise that nearly every negro in response to “BlackAtlas” finds same “rewarding”, “uplifting”, “not at all racist”………….

I’d give anything to have a “WhiteAtlas” and see how fast the negro community was showing up at airports and AA/AMR headquarters in near if not full on violent protest.

Pardon me for being wholly candid. As well, not politically correct.

]]> By: BKE http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/09/american-airlines%e2%80%99-new-%e2%80%9cblack-atlas%e2%80%9d-social-media-site%e2%80%a6why/comment-page-1/#comment-199664 BKE Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:23:33 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/?p=1462#comment-199664 I like what this airline has done to get the experiences of black travellers. It is sad that the company itself still has employee that have racism issue from with in. This company trys to create a space for everyone to have an enjoyable experience around the globe. This is always been a great guide line for good business. I like what this airline has done to get the experiences of black travellers. It is sad that the company itself still has employee that have racism issue from with in. This company trys to create a space for everyone to have an enjoyable experience around the globe. This is always been a great guide line for good business.

]]> By: Lisa http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/09/american-airlines%e2%80%99-new-%e2%80%9cblack-atlas%e2%80%9d-social-media-site%e2%80%a6why/comment-page-1/#comment-197496 Lisa Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:49:43 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/?p=1462#comment-197496 Thank you so much Angie. I am from a family whose genetic background is made up of many wonderful cultures, including French Canadian, Portuguese, American Indian and African American. I am black, and although I have many interests and love travelling and learning about all cultures, the world can be scary and frustrating when you have to consider that you are still not welcome in many places. It helps to get thoughts and reviews from other blacks. Having grown up in America, you aren't really told about the worlwide affect of the African slave trade and how the slaves were taken to places other than America. It is interesting to get an idea of how blacks have fared since the slave trade in other parts of the world. I recently travelled to London and was surprised that so many black slaves had been taken there too. I think it's important to teach all of our children about their own culture as well as that of others. I would welcome an IrishAtlas or JapaneseAtlas or any other cultural help. I love travelling and hearing from other travellers sharing their oersonal experiences. Its important to learn about our cultural similarities and differences. You learn about getting along with others by knowing what is the same and whats different so you don't offend, etc. It's not so much a racism issue here (which would be superiority or an intolerance), but a help for any traveller that may want to locate black cultural experiences around the world. As African Americans, we can't go back to anywhere; like an Italian American person can go to Italy or a Chinese American person can go to China. Our history is multicultural: the black segment started on ships and was spread around the world. We need help in locating the various areas that slaves were taken and seeing how other black slaves grew new co-cultures. I am so sorry that some of you feel there are no avenues for white travellers who want to learn more about what white travellers have experienced. Frommer's, Fodors, Lonely Planet and others have always been great guides for travel and I use them as well. Thank you so much Angie. I am from a family whose genetic background is made up of many wonderful cultures, including French Canadian, Portuguese, American Indian and African American. I am black, and although I have many interests and love travelling and learning about all cultures, the world can be scary and frustrating when you have to consider that you are still not welcome in many places. It helps to get thoughts and reviews from other blacks.
Having grown up in America, you aren’t really told about the worlwide affect of the African slave trade and how the slaves were taken to places other than America. It is interesting to get an idea of how blacks have fared since the slave trade in other parts of the world. I recently travelled to London and was surprised that so many black slaves had been taken there too.
I think it’s important to teach all of our children about their own culture as well as that of others. I would welcome an IrishAtlas or JapaneseAtlas or any other cultural help. I love travelling and hearing from other travellers sharing their oersonal experiences. Its important to learn about our cultural similarities and differences. You learn about getting along with others by knowing what is the same and whats different so you don’t offend, etc.

It’s not so much a racism issue here (which would be superiority or an intolerance), but a help for any traveller that may want to locate black cultural experiences around the world.

As African Americans, we can’t go back to anywhere; like an Italian American person can go to Italy or a Chinese American person can go to China. Our history is multicultural: the black segment started on ships and was spread around the world. We need help in locating the various areas that slaves were taken and seeing how other black slaves grew new co-cultures.
I am so sorry that some of you feel there are no avenues for white travellers who want to learn more about what white travellers have experienced. Frommer’s, Fodors, Lonely Planet and others have always been great guides for travel and I use them as well.

]]> By: Angie http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/09/american-airlines%e2%80%99-new-%e2%80%9cblack-atlas%e2%80%9d-social-media-site%e2%80%a6why/comment-page-1/#comment-197128 Angie Sun, 06 Mar 2011 07:55:19 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/?p=1462#comment-197128 For the ill-informed who are living in a dream world where everyone can go anywhere freely: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/books/23green.html For the ill-informed who are living in a dream world where everyone can go anywhere freely:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/books/23green.html

]]> By: Maurice http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/09/american-airlines%e2%80%99-new-%e2%80%9cblack-atlas%e2%80%9d-social-media-site%e2%80%a6why/comment-page-1/#comment-191565 Maurice Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:53:46 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/?p=1462#comment-191565 Why do some of you need to make this a race issue? I personally find Black Atlas useful and don't see how many of you are offended. It's not racist people it's called niche marketing as @earth163 has clearly stated. Businesses do it all the time when they're attempting to reach a certain demographic or group of people. Is it that hard to see the Black Atlas as an educational tool for both blacks and non-blacks? @FF: I see you have yet to respond to @earth163 question. Relax everyone! Why do some of you need to make this a race issue? I personally find Black Atlas useful and don’t see how many of you are offended. It’s not racist people it’s called niche marketing as @earth163 has clearly stated. Businesses do it all the time when they’re attempting to reach a certain demographic or group of people.

Is it that hard to see the Black Atlas as an educational tool for both blacks and non-blacks? @FF: I see you have yet to respond to @earth163 question. Relax everyone!

]]> By: White Guy http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/09/american-airlines%e2%80%99-new-%e2%80%9cblack-atlas%e2%80%9d-social-media-site%e2%80%a6why/comment-page-1/#comment-191348 White Guy Wed, 02 Feb 2011 06:48:01 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/?p=1462#comment-191348 You guys (angry commentors and author) are really dumb. White Atlas already already exists, it's called Mainstream Media. Black folks are not just dark-skinned white folks. There are differences in the cultures. This is simply an attempt to provide info that may be of particular interest to black folks that would otherwise be hard to find (and attract more travellers, $, in the process). You guys (angry commentors and author) are really dumb. White Atlas already already exists, it’s called Mainstream Media. Black folks are not just dark-skinned white folks. There are differences in the cultures. This is simply an attempt to provide info that may be of particular interest to black folks that would otherwise be hard to find (and attract more travellers, $, in the process).

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