My friend got fired for saying this... your thoughts?

[Norris2k]

I myself worked for years at a major, blue-collar tech organisation, and I will write based on that (it could be different elsewhere).
First, a major blue collar tech organisation is very complex, with lot of level of decisions, lot of changes, and it's impossible to know the reason, and if it's related. The interviewer have nothing to say if the top level says "no open seat this quarter for this sub-division".
Secondly, the fact he's good is not really something that matters and should not really be considered as a plus (this plus makes you think there is hidden reason). If it's a big company, what ever they say about hiring talents, one person does not have impact enough. He is critical or not, in a project/team that is critical or not.
Last thing, such company have an official policy regarding minorities, handicap, etc. and that cost money and they value it (especially in term of public relation). If an interviewer ask your opinion, he doesn't really care about the validity of your answer (does it makes sense or not), he's here to assert you are compliant, and you will not make trouble to him or to the company. You have to be a yes man, it's not a question, it's a check list, and if you can't let him check the box, he will think you are a risk. To say it simply, your friend is already giving him trouble in the interview process, despite the fact he knows what the "right" answer is ("right" in the sense what is expected, not right in a debate).

My opinion is that big corporates are not really a fun place to be in, it's not really a place that will value your freedom, or excellence, it's a place that fear risk. And as wrong as it is he was fired, and even if I can't tell if there is a relation with his answer... based on his answer, your friend said he doesn't fit. My second opinion is that I (respectfully) disagree with him, team work, a good balance in a team is what matters the most for me. I have worked in teams where all people are from the same gender, race, and age, and it was horrible.