RE: http://www.military.com/forums/0,15240,183398,00.html

Buffalo Soldiers. I haven't heard that in a long time. I remember Bob Marley's song. Always stuck in my head

During my 20+ yrs (73-94) I served with many outstanding troopers (black, Afro-American- whatever they wanted to be called) and never had a problem with race because 1st & fore most it had been impressed upon us in basic that we were all "green"!True some folks of both colors had some problems adapting- but we weren't given the option. It did not help that the hard heads of both groups formed their own cliques during off duty time- but they were forced to maintain civility at all times. I walked away with several black friends who I stay in touch with and treat as family because as a grunt you had to share everything with your buddies- foxholes/fighting postions and enemy fire are great equalizers! Its great that we have elected a Catholic and now an Afro-American to the Presidentcy, I just hope we can trust him to do the best for all America, not just those who voted for him- because I didn't- Just didn't trust his politics not his skin color or background!

Distinguishing White from Black is considered racist. Just wondering why distinguishing Black from White is not? We dont use skin color as a reference point do we? Because that would be racist.

agree

When employers (including the Federal govt) stop asking the race/ethnicity question on forms, THEN we can talk about "reference points."

(Years ago, on some Federal forms I was required to fill out, I left the ethnicity question blank, but was counseled to fill it in ... or some observer would do so, and perhaps get it wrong.)

Anybody who was in Europe 70-73 and didn't see the tension between blacks and whites was either blind or too high of rank to see what was going on in the barracks and around the posts at night and on weekends. There were actually riots and killings, but most of it was hushed up and kept from the press, so I was a little shocked when I got home and found out nobody had heard of it. But at the same time, the country itself was in such turmoil and violence (Witness the Chicago Democratic Convention) that in retrospect, the news media had plenty here at home to splash on the front page - -

While a junior NCO (Buck Sgt E-5), I had several minor confrontations with subordinates that were directly related to the "Black Panther" movement that was being fomented on Ayers Kasern 1971-73. These usually were refusals to do work either in the motorpool or barracks areas as per normal expectations of EM during the work day. For a time, many blacks refuse to do any task that was associated with cleaning and house-keeping. They also began demanding quartered as groups in bays or squad rooms (often simply making the move by forcing white/latinos out), and to be placed in all-black crews on armored vehicles. This was obviously a semi-organized attempt to move towards some kind of confrontation. It abruptly ended when several leaders in this effort either PCSd or ended up in Mannheim Stockade...

That said, some of my best friends and most trusted NCOs were blacks, all the way from Basic Training to my ETS. One of my crewman was a black who was supposed to be a clerk. He OJTd into the crew and did a great job. Another fellow Buck Sgt had been a criminal in New Orleans and was forced into the Army by a judge. The Army straightened him out and he was one of the most "Strack/Gung ho/By the Book" guys I ever met. His actions during the above problems helped break the log-jam and set things straight. Of course, he was vilified by lower-ranking EM, but his answer was always, "The Army is my home! Don't fxxxk up my house!!!"

He was definitely a guy I'd go back to back with in any fight or war!

I was in the Marines from 1969 to 1971. There were some segregation issues in boot camp, but nothing violent. After bootcamp, I was ordered to the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade at Camp Pendleton staging batallion in preparation for Vietnam. Racial tension was so hot, it was necessary to march in formation as a company to the e club (if you wanted to go) and march back after the e club was closed. It was hoped that this would crub the numerous stabbings, fights, ambushes etc. We were even forced to practice riot control training. It was awful.

In Vietnam, I had occassion to be on an Air Force compound. During this time, I was beaten by a group of drunken Marines. Racial problems was one of reasons I didn't stay in the Corps.

I thought we are supposed to be a color blind society? If so then quit shoving this "color" crap down our throats! Next we will see "Homosexual History" Month and all the garbage that will go along with that! THE ONLY COLOR IS GREEN!

I admit there IS a double-standard when it comes to celebrating ethnicities.

We have Black History Month.

Hispanic History Month.

Women's History Month.

Pacific Islander/Asian History Month.

To name just some.

Here at my Naval command, we celebrate them all with entertaining ceremonies, and usually followed by a lunch on the quarterdeck with the appropriate food.

So ... who's missing?

Men's History Month.

Specifically WHITE Men's History month.

But think about it: What would that entail? What sort of "entertaining/education ceremony" would that be? What would be included?

Yes, a double-standard, but history has pretty much BEEN YOURS (white male) from the get-go.

So ... what would a "White Men's History Month" celebration include?

My time spent serving my country in the military was a nightmare.Basic training and the two military supply school I attend where my best times in the military.My first duty assighment was in Germany.I was to be the company supply clerk.My MOS was 76y20,I was told by my racist comypany commander that I would be assigh to the infantry squad.Then I was told by my fellow black soldier, that a black soldier would never work in the supply room while he was in charge.Yes they where right,I work with the infantry squad for about 14month while seving my country in Germany.Then we got a new company commander,when he found out about what was going on with me.He put a stop to it with in one week of his arrival.The new CO.call me into his office and gave some what of a apolgy and he also told me that I was to report to the supply room the next day.I did as I was told to do the first 14month I sever my country in Germany.But I suffer with a lot of mental pain,yes I still suffer from mental pain.My military record say I was working in the supply room from day one.I should be giving credit for my 14months as a infanry personal.This should be in my military records.I believe I earn the 11B MOS from my 14months with the infanry squad I sever with.I also serve my country in Vietnam from 68to69.I was working in my right MOS in Vietnam.But I was also assigh to the company"First Reaction Team",this team perform combat mission outside of are Base Camp.My helmet was shot off my head by friendly fire while I was on a combat mission with the "First Reaction Team."There is know mention in my military record about my friendly fire incident.The army also seize my helmet from me.I was told,I would get my helmet back when I left Vietnam.This never happen, instant I was told knowbody knew where my helmet was.I left Vietnam very upset with the army.I'am now 60yrs. old and I still fell the mental pain from seving my country in Germany&Vietnam.Can anybody who read this tell me how to get my military record corrected? If so please leave me a post!

quote:

Originally posted by 1WeldersWife:
I admit there IS a double-standard when it comes to celebrating ethnicities.

We have Black History Month.

Hispanic History Month.

Women's History Month.

Pacific Islander/Asian History Month.

To name just some.

Here at my Naval command, we celebrate them all with entertaining ceremonies, and usually followed by a lunch on the quarterdeck with the appropriate food.

So ... who's missing?

Men's History Month.

Specifically WHITE Men's History month.

But think about it: What would that entail? What sort of "entertaining/education ceremony" would that be? What would be included?

Yes, a double-standard, but history has pretty much BEEN YOURS (white male) from the get-go.

So ... what would a "White Men's History Month" celebration include?

We already have a White history YEAR every year since the default (being fixed) in the text books is what the group in control (whites) did with token mention of the impact of "others".

quote:

Originally posted by 1WeldersWife:
I admit there IS a double-standard when it comes to celebrating ethnicities.

We have Black History Month.

Hispanic History Month.

Women's History Month.

Pacific Islander/Asian History Month.

To name just some.

Here at my Naval command, we celebrate them all with entertaining ceremonies, and usually followed by a lunch on the quarterdeck with the appropriate food.

So ... who's missing?

Men's History Month.

Specifically WHITE Men's History month.

But think about it: What would that entail? What sort of "entertaining/education ceremony" would that be? What would be included?

Yes, a double-standard, but history has pretty much BEEN YOURS (white male) from the get-go.

So ... what would a "White Men's History Month" celebration include?

Who cares? Do you really want such a month. The fact is, whites make up the majority of our population. White men hold most of the positions in our government. I have no problem with various hollidays. For God's sake look at St. Patrick's Day and Columbus Day. I don't need a special month or holliday for being a white man.

Seriously who cares? I don't attend the various special dinners and events associated with ethnic celebrations but it's no skin off my back if they exist.

quote:

Originally posted by DIABLO_OPSGRP:
Distinguishing White from Black is considered racist. Just wondering why distinguishing Black from White is not? We dont use skin color as a reference point do we? Because that would be racist.

There is a big difference between acknowledging that the differences exist and treating people different based on their skin color.

The history of blacks in our country's military is a special story- quite different than that of whites- and deserves to be preserved, told and retold. It is a story full heroism and perseverance in the face of adversity, most notably the official policy of segregation and discrimination that existed until Truman abolished it in 1948. I still wonder why so many blacks patriotically served a country that persisted in treating them like ****, no matter what they did for her.

quote:

Originally posted by 1WeldersWife:

So ... what would a "White Men's History Month" celebration include?

The GOP National Convention.

Last time I checked Obama is still mostly Irish. More discrimination against the Irish. Growing up in Chicago I got sick and tired of all the rich black kids saying how poor they were. They had a whole lot more than I did like winter shoes and such as that. They had coats too. TV'S and even air conditioning. Most poor peoples are white and so I am tired of the bull. This is not like the 50s. I know of the 50's,60's and 70's there. Most fights I was in started by a black person. Good thing I was considered loco by the peeps in the hood cus i not afraid nutthin.

quote:

Originally posted by JONRPEQUIGNOT:
I was in the Marines from 1969 to 1971. There were some segregation issues in boot camp, but nothing violent. After bootcamp, I was ordered to the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade at Camp Pendleton staging batallion in preparation for Vietnam. Racial tension was so hot, it was necessary to march in formation as a company to the e club (if you wanted to go) and march back after the e club was closed. It was hoped that this would crub the numerous stabbings, fights, ambushes etc. We were even forced to practice riot control training. It was awful.

In Vietnam, I had occassion to be on an Air Force compound. During this time, I was beaten by a group of drunken Marines. Racial problems was one of reasons I didn't stay in the Corps.

I heard about such things but never experienced them. I was a Splib with Force Recon, and until you earned your jump wings, Splibs with Jump Wings were hardest on Splibs who had not yet earned them. Racism was non-existent in Recon units and virtually non-existent in USMC combat (Grunt) units. Should've re-enlisted with the Wild Bunch or the Hats.

Jimmy
1stRecon, 66-70