1/When I joined the Navy back in the 70s, I was the only Latino onboard my ship. It never occurred to me until I was assigned to be part of the Human Relations Council. I was so naive. I had grown up in an Army town. My high school was a melting pot.
2/ Black,White, Korean, German, and we also had an LGBT representation even though it wasn’t called that. Nobody cared. It wasn’t all a bowl of cherries but we all got along.
3/ I didn’t come across racism until I got to the ship. A few had real issues with POC. At any rate, the Navy got passed all of that nonsense. We progressed. We didn’t eliminate racism but we certainly put it in check.
4/We couldn’t control what one thought but we could control their actions. During my 30 year career, I did come across those that just couldn’t handle diversity. They didn’t last long. For the most part, the Navy was a place of inclusiveness. It’s had some growing pains.
5/While women are, for the most part, looked upon as equals, there are still those who don’t know how to act, and I never tolerated that but some did and probably still do. Anyway, it seems we’ve come full circle.
6/ Here we are again, conducting training on how to treat people. It’s a good thing. I just thought we were passed that. I’ve learned that racism and bigotry, and all of those other -isms have only been dormant but not gone.
7/ What made it all come out of hiding? Perhaps I should ask who? All I know is that my life has been fuller because of people who are “different” than me. I’ve trusted people of all colors, genders, orientations to watch my back and they never hesitated or let me down.
8/ I served with some of the very best America has to offer. I’m sad that our Commanderbin Chief believes that divisiveness is the only way. I’m sad that my brothers are being shot or arrested for carrying a cell phone or waiting for a friend.
9/I’m sad that my sisters are being assaulted because some Neanderthal thinks it’s his right. I’m sad that my gay brothers and sisters are being mistreated because of who they love.
10/I didn’t mean to ramble on but I hate what this country is becoming under the “leadership” of an individual who wouldn’t serve his country when called, yet wraps himself with the flag under the guise of patriotism. We are better than this.
