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The roots of Delta’s current DEI policies can be traced back to the summer of 2020, following the death of George Floyd and the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. At that time, Johnson was instrumental in pushing Delta to adopt an “antiracist” corporate stance. Speaking on the same 2021 panel, she highlighted the airline’s commitment: “To really come out and say, as an organization, that we are an antiracist company was really important to us,” she said. “We are going to actively seek diversity. We’re also talking about how we’re going to boldly pursue equity. And we’re talking about the steps we’re taking to consciously promote inclusion. So, we realize, like many of you have, that it’s not enough just to say, ‘We aren’t racist,’ but to say that you are antiracist.”
However, it is Delta’s overhaul of its hiring policies that has stirred the most significant controversy. Johnson’s mission to “reimagine and redefine” Delta’s talent strategy has faced criticism from conservative voices, who argue that these policies could compromise passenger safety. Johnson’s 2021 remarks outlined the airline’s commitment to being “intentional about the representation that we need,” with new metrics designed to measure progress. “We’re starting on a quarterly basis to specifically measure those representation gaps at every level of the company. So we’re looking at the front line representation gap,” she explained.
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The backlash against Delta’s DEI policies is not an isolated incident but part of a broader conservative movement against Fortune 500 companies that have embraced similar initiatives. Recent boycotts have seen success, with companies like Tractor Supply and John Deere, which cater to more rural and conservative demographics, rolling back their DEI guidelines under public pressure.
As the calls to boycott Delta Airlines grow louder, the company finds itself at a crossroads. Will it continue to push forward with its DEI agenda, or will it bow to the mounting criticism? The unfolding situation will undoubtedly serve as a litmus test for other corporations navigating the turbulent waters of DEI in a deeply divided America.
