Elon Musk and Mark Cuban Clash Over DEI and Racism

Elon Musk criticizes United Airlines' diversity goal

Elon Musk and Mark Cuban are engaged in an ongoing dispute regarding corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Recently, Musk criticized United Airlines' pilot training academy, United Aviate Academy, for setting a diversity goal. The academy aimed to have "50% of enrolled students who are women and/or people of color." Musk took to X to express his disagreement, stating that the airline industry already struggles to find qualified pilots without such DEI requirements.

Mark Cuban defends the diversity goal

In response to Musk's criticism, Mark Cuban clarified that the diversity goal applied to the pilot training school, not the airline itself. He explained that after graduation, it takes several years for students to have an opportunity to pilot for United Airlines. Cuban shared this information with Musk and attached a link to the academy's website, highlighting the multiple layers of merit-based evaluations before students can fly for the airline.

Musk accuses Cuban of racism

Musk, however, did not agree with Cuban's points and went on to call him racist. When questioned by a user named "The Rabbit Hole," Cuban reiterated his earlier arguments. In response, Musk suggested that Cuban prove he is not racist and sexist by including an Asian woman and a white woman on his basketball team, the Dallas Mavericks.

DEI as a point of contention

DEI has become a major point of contention among business executives like Musk and Cuban. Last week, fund manager Bill Ackman labeled it as "racist," claiming that reverse racism is still racism. Musk agreed with Ackman, considering DEI to be "just another word for racism." On the contrary, Cuban emphasized the benefits of DEI, stating that by including individuals from various races, ethnicities, and orientations in the hiring process, companies can find more qualified candidates who may have been previously excluded.

Representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment outside regular business hours.

Original article: Business Insider

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By: ktan@businessinsider.com (Kwan Wei Kevin Tan)
Title: Elon Musk and Mark Cuban Clash Over DEI and Racism
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-duking-it-out-mark-cuban-dei-and-racism-2024-1
Published Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2024 03:24:29 +0000