Some members of the board began covering their mouths with their hands. Others could only bow their heads in silent shame. Mr. Harris, who had spoken earlier, now sat quietly, his face flushed with embarrassment and helplessness.
Caroline, Richard, and Diane felt increasingly uneasy as Olivia's strong arguments had proven that they were only a small part of a larger system, a system they had been unconsciously serving without realizing its flaws.
Finally, Olivia gently closed the file, looking directly at Alexander, then turning to the entire board, her voice softer but still carrying the strength of someone who wanted real change.
"I believe none of you want to continue living in a world where unconscious biases are still prevalent, especially in your own workplace. But to truly change, we must face these painful truths head-on. Be brave enough to confront them and make corrections. I hope that from today onward, Summit Airlines will not only look at profits or brand image, but will truly see the human dignity and social responsibility we bear."
Alexander stepped forward beside his mother, his gaze reflecting solidarity and determination. "My mother is right. From this moment forward, Summit Airlines will undergo a complete transformation. We will not only address this issue, but will retrain from the ground up, changing our management system and internal policies to ensure no passenger will ever face unfair treatment again."
His firm words echoed through the room, creating an emotionally charged moment for everyone present. The board understood that this was no longer just an ordinary meeting. It was a decisive moment for the future of Summit Airlines, a future where values of fairness and racial equality would be prioritized.
And in that moment, everyone in the room realized that though the truth was painful, it was the essential first step toward real change. This was not just a change for Summit Airlines, but for themselves, and beyond that, for society as a whole.
As soon as Alexander's decisive words ended, the boardroom fell into a deep silence, not the silence of helplessness but one of clear and profound awareness of the responsibility they now had to shoulder.
Standing tall, his gaze firm and serious, Alexander scanned the faces of those still stunned by the truth that had just been revealed. Then he began to speak, his voice strong and resonant across the room.
"We can no longer continue like this. The incidents my mother has pointed out clearly show that the Summit Airlines system has serious and unacceptable flaws. This not only harms the dignity and honor of our passengers, but it also completely contradicts the values I have committed to building from the very beginning of this company."
He paused for a few seconds, allowing his words to sink deeply into the minds of everyone in the room before continuing with even greater determination.