Posted on Aug 10, 2020
Military veterans say racism in the ranks often isn't camouflaged: "It hurt me dearly"
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The national conversation about race includes the U.S. military. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has effectively banned the Confederate battle flag from bases and installations. But that's only part of the issue.
In a 2019 survey by the Military Times and Syracuse University, more than half of people of color serving in uniform said they had personally witnessed White nationalism or racism in the military.
According to the Defense Department, around 17 percent of U.S. troops identify themselves as Black.
"CBS This Morning" spoke with several former active-duty service members of different races and religions, about their experiences.
Captain Mary Tobin, a 10-year Army veteran, said racism in the ranks often isn't camouflaged.
"As a Black woman, I had to wonder, 'Okay, is this happening because I have ovaries, or because I have melanin?" she said.
In a 2019 survey by the Military Times and Syracuse University, more than half of people of color serving in uniform said they had personally witnessed White nationalism or racism in the military.
According to the Defense Department, around 17 percent of U.S. troops identify themselves as Black.
"CBS This Morning" spoke with several former active-duty service members of different races and religions, about their experiences.
Captain Mary Tobin, a 10-year Army veteran, said racism in the ranks often isn't camouflaged.
"As a Black woman, I had to wonder, 'Okay, is this happening because I have ovaries, or because I have melanin?" she said.
Military veterans say racism in the ranks often isn't camouflaged: "It hurt me dearly"
Posted from cbsnews.comPosted in these groups: 
Racism
Racism
Posted >1 y ago
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Compared to the civilian world I think the military is way ahead as far as addressing racial issues. Well I should say the Army because I can't speak for the other branches. In my 10 years on active duty there were only 2-3 instances of "racist" behavior. One of them involved this redneck E-5 who stated in front of platoon members that he didn't agree with interracial dating. He said it because a white soldier in my squad was dating a black female. I was in E-4 at the time and started a confrontation with him during Sergeant's Time training just to call him out on it.
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