Should the military hold observances for targeted race/gender/sexual orientation based groups?

2016-06-11T21:20:35-04:00

There seems to be a month/day of observance for just about everyone. Everyone, except white men. Why is this? Is there no culture/heritage for young white Americans to be proud of? Everyone's ancestors did something terrible on a large scale, but I'm supposed to be ashamed to be white?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 11 at 2016 9:30 PM

2016-06-11T21:30:41-04:00

Those that do not wish to be just American, but instead * -American will say, Every other day is White American day, we get only one, so leave it alone. .

You'll notice my surname is not that of a typical "white" American..The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa," and so is a wider group than European American. Like all official U.S. racial categories, "White" has a "Not Hispanic or Latino" and a "Hispanic or Latino" component,[3] the latter consisting mostly of White Mexican Americans and White.

Yet I chose to self identify as just "American"
Not just because I dislike the * -American identification style...vice just American ...But because Im also a HINO.
Hey maybe I should campaign for a HINO day

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2016 9:43 PM

2016-06-11T21:43:06-04:00

I identify as an American and as a Marine.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Jun 11 at 2016 9:51 PM

2016-06-11T21:51:10-04:00

I concur with everyone else thus far. We are American: first and foremost. If heritage matters so much to someone there are plenty of organizations out there one can join that focus solely on that heritage. There's absolutely nothing wrong about being proud of one's heritage (I know I'm proud of mine), and with that no need to go hating on someone else's. If those you talk to can't wrap their heads around that then they're probably not worth conversing with in the first place.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 11 at 2016 10:29 PM

2016-06-11T22:29:42-04:00

No. Being in the sevice is about serving yor country. Not about who you think you are or who you like to sleep with.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jun 11 at 2016 10:32 PM

2016-06-11T22:32:13-04:00

I'm an American. If you're dealing with me and think I owe you something because two white people I had no control over got together, that's on you, not me. I feel zero 'White Guilt', no matter how much people try to shame it into me. Why? Because I've never considered myself being better than someone who isn't white. (Well actually, I have. But it wasn't because of their skin color). When I have committed a crime, or made a judgement incorrectly based on someone's race, THEN I'll feel guilty. But fuck you if you think I'm going to feel guilty for things done long before I was born. I'll be as horrified by them as anyone, and I'll commiserate as much as anyone. But assume guilt for it? Nope. I have plenty of things I HAVE done, that I AM responsible for, to feel guilty about.

By the same token, if you're American, and not white, to me, you're an American. Not an *-American. It's ok for you to identify however you like, but that's the platform I start from. If YOU bring your difference (from me) into it, then that's YOUR issue, not mine. To me, you're just a person I'm dealing with. And that's all you are until YOU make it something else.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 11 at 2016 10:36 PM

2016-06-11T22:36:04-04:00

ABSOLUTELY NOT!
We should have observance days based upon BEING AMERICANS. July 4th, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day...THOSE we should make a Big Deal about..."George Washington's kid took a leak day" should be something that the civilians and the sheeple want to observe, more power to the lemmings.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 12 at 2016 12:48 AM

2016-06-12T00:48:26-04:00

PC will kill the military's cohesion and effectiveness.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 13 at 2016 1:41 PM

2016-06-13T13:41:14-04:00

To answer your question, no. The military should not be holding observances for any groups because that is discrimination. What the military should be holding observances for are days that are specific and hold meaning to members of the military or the military in general.

Response by Amn Terry Atkins made Jun 16 at 2016 10:17 AM

2016-06-16T10:17:04-04:00

Especially if you grew up in the South. They done took the Confederate Flag that's been riding on top of the General Lee for DECADES and just now decided that it was "racist" so they cancelled the show after all these years. They're tearing down Confederate memorials all over the South because it "offends" someone....So yup, if you're White, and from the South, you have to bear the shame and guilt of your forefathers...FOREVER, because "they" are never going to let it die as it should have, with your forefathers....

Response by MSgt Dwyane Watson made Jun 17 at 2016 6:25 PM

2016-06-17T18:25:13-04:00

You need to remember the military has been given a good old liberal cleaning by Obama and his "Lets make everyone fool(feel; slip maybe?) good crowd." When all the leaders with backbone have been fired and now all we have are a lot of yes people(need to be PC here, wouldn't want to offend anybody); every group with a lobby or hot line to the white house get what they want. My advice, train and work hard, become a great NCO and lead and set the example. It shouldn't matter what someone is as long as they can do the job well, train them right, treat everyone the same and get the mission done. The muslim in the white house is soon to be gone, focus on making the military great again.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 10:55 AM

2016-06-21T10:55:12-04:00

Wow, this sure is a loaded topic. First, to go directly to the question. We hold special observance days for many race, gender, sexual orientation groups because we are recognizing the significant contributions of those persons that were occurring during a time where they were not respected as our military brothers / sisters. It is not about guilt. It is about inclusion. Everyone knows of the Tuskegee Airmen and their heroic acts, because we took the time to remind everyone. Women forged through a male dominated history. Gays and Lesbians were ridiculed and kicked out of our military. They deserve a little historical perspective. We do it for all of the people that were heroes to America that had to hide what they truly were or pretend to be what they were not. Secondly, the "hyphenated-American" is sharing a rich and diverse culture with all of us. They are not "less-American" because they identify with a alternate culture. They are in fact "more-American" because they remind us of our heritage as a nation. Putting them down does not make me more of a patriot. It, in fact, demeans the very nature of this great country. Stand up and be proud of your heritage. My ancestors came to this country before the Revolutionary War. That does not make me any less of an immigrant than the "proud to be hyphenated-American". I am an American of German decent. I do not need special recognition, but, some do (and they deserve it). I am now stepping off of my soap box. Respectfully submitted, Scott.