Can you be so focused on inclusivity that it results in more division and hate?

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 06:56:50 -0400

Is it me or is the current focus to be PC and inclusive resulting in more hate or perception of more hate?

Response by Alan K. made Jun 19 at 2016 7:05 AM

Alan K. — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 07:05:42 -0400

I feel that it rubs people the wrong way when they are forced to be P/C or be ridiculed for not being,. which brings on unfriendly feelings towards the ones seeking P/C....Whomever they may be. Just my opinion on Human Nature.

Response by SGT Damaso V Santana made Jun 19 at 2016 7:42 AM

SGT Damaso V Santana — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 07:42:31 -0400

Political Correctnes is the Opium of the masses, IT IS Destroying our country and delivered BY the progressive government and its media throlls

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2016 8:04 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 08:04:30 -0400

To a extent yes absoloutely. When every good "feel good" story has to be publicized. Back to the "everyone gets a ribbon" concept.

Response by MSgt Peter Vatistas made Jun 19 at 2016 8:23 AM

MSgt Peter Vatistas — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 08:23:06 -0400

Absolutely.

I look at a team as "the ultimate tool for accomplishing any mission". As with any tool, you can use it improperly and still complete your task (i.e. using the handle of a screwdriver to pound in a nail). The problem with doing this is tha it isn't efficient, and you wear out or even break the tool.

A good leader should not be looking at the sex, color or ethnicity of his troops. He should be concentrating on each individual's strengths and weaknesses so he can apply those attributes in an efficient manner. Doing this fosters a highly motivated TEAM that generates the same knowledge of individual attributes during training, which increases morale.

Motivated, trained and "well oiled" team that has high morale can accomplish ANYTHING.

Forget all tha PC shit.

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Jun 19 at 2016 9:26 AM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 09:26:29 -0400

Yes and No....

The problem we have is not when we include others into once exclusive groups. The problems come from changing standards to include these people into these groups. Women in Combat is a easy example. If women can do everything required by standards that men can do to be in combat then there should be no barrier for them entering combat. IF you change the standards to allow women in combat than you create a different group, marginalizing those already in the group and that is where problems happen.

But there is also the spin factor. You have people so set against women in combat that they imagine unbeatable standards to rationalize women being excluded. Even though no one in the group has had to perform these standards the Spin Doctor will point this out as a reason even though its fueled by prejudice and not fact.

I don't think being PC is a bad or good thing. Its the way its used. Both sides of the argument no longer look at facts and standards, but instead try to use emotion, and feelings to push an objective. PC has become an excuse for people to stop thinking rationally. If you blame something on being PC whether for or against it, you already lost the argument in my book.

But again just one mans humble opinion.

Response by LT Erik Frederick made Jun 19 at 2016 9:28 AM

LT Erik Frederick — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 09:28:03 -0400

Thank you for bringing up such a touchy subject. I think this community in particular can have a real, civil, and respectful discussion versus other social media outlets. FB almost always degenerates into damaging flame throwing. Nobody will touch this subject with a ten foot pole in LinkedIn other than to gallup their moral high horse around. To answer your question, I am not sure it breeds "hate," but absolutely breeds resentment and paradoxically, divisiveness. (BTW: Keeping us divided is central to the two major parties ability to stay in power but I'll save that for another post). Back to my response: While no one can be against the idea of inclusiveness, its use is what drives further division. I think part of the problem is that the word "inclusive" is typically used to categorize people by race, gender, and political leanings, never by ideas, perspective, skill set, or background. It also seems like a one way street. Would anyone consider academia, the entertainment industry, or the news media, to say nothing of human resource detriments, inclusive of conservative white men? These are the more often than not the very people pushing inclusiveness - so yeah - I think it breeds resentment.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 19 at 2016 9:29 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 09:29:48 -0400

You are politically incorrect just for asking that question. How does that make you feel? ...and there is the answer to your question

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made Jun 19 at 2016 9:40 AM

Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 09:40:07 -0400

Good point! If you put yourself on an "Inclusivity scale" You might seem more extremist than others.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jun 19 at 2016 10:57 AM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 10:57:12 -0400

I think it has become far easier to label something as "being PC" than to intelligently address whatever the situation may be. Calling everything "PC" is just a means to ignore and even denigrate a particular problem.
Even this thread is trying to lump a wide variety of problems/situations under one big label, being "PC." Rather than doing that, why not attempt to address each one separately?

Response by SPC Joseph Ahner made Jun 19 at 2016 11:37 AM

SPC Joseph Ahner — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 11:37:00 -0400

Yes Sir. I believe that the PC inclusiveness produces more intolerance than it eliminates simply due to the element of Coercion involved.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2016 11:47 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 11:47:21 -0400

What bothers me most is the tendency to call everyone that disagrees a hater.

I don't think every life style is right, but there are not many people I hate.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2016 12:35 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 12:35:43 -0400

Yes. Every day I see more and more cases where this proves true. I've seen people get out of work, abuse their responsibilities and duties because no one wants to tell them no because it can cause EO complaints or other administrative reprisal. For instance: With the LGBT celebrations on base recently, I've seen people use them as an excuse to get out of work and not even attend. This type of behavior and fear of exclusion is toxic for the workplace and frankly, breeds hatred and fuels tempers where we need to grow positivly together.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jun 19 at 2016 1:30 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 13:30:09 -0400

Isn't that what PC is all about?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2016 1:39 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 13:39:28 -0400

i live in the usa born there ,my familly came from europe itally, germany, poliand, and else ware, they leaned the langauge and survived, and served this country ww2, korea, vietnam, desert storm and oif/oef, my perception is that my people came to this country for freedom and did what it took to do it, i'm proud of my heritage but i'm american, not polish american, not itallian american, american period, we have a flag, we have a national anthem, respect that or go back to where ever you came from, in my 55 years of life i have seen so many struggles, womens rights, black rights, gay rights and applaud all the victories now its time to be americans and win back our rights as a country until then there will be a division, your american or not

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2016 2:19 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 14:19:03 -0400

If you look at diversity and inclusivity as "we need to make sure that we have this type of people or this race involved" then yes, in the spirit of including everyone you are categorizing everyone into groups, whites, blacks, women, Asians Etc. In the military the only discrimination should be rank and role. You don't want an E1 included in a CO briefing.

If you look at us and say we need this percentage of a rank to include this minority you are saying that minority is different and not treating everyone equally.

Full metal jacket sums it up perfectly to me. "You are no longer white or black, YOU ARE GREEN"

Stop treating visual differences as differences and equality begins to form and the content of character becomes the defining trait of a person.

Response by SFC Daniel Hardin made Jun 19 at 2016 2:59 PM

SFC Daniel Hardin — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 14:59:39 -0400

This may be a bit small scale to what you are posing Sir, but a few years ago I had a situation which describes this almost to a "t". In our barracks in Germany we ended up with a younger Private with a room to himself due to a PCS. When we saw we had an incoming Private, we immediately allocated that Soldier that billet. There are other rooms with only one occupant but as this was the most junior of those Soldiers it only made sense to allocate that Soldier a roommate first. It all changed when our new Private actually arrived... You see, the junior Private with the room to himself happened to be Black. The new Private also happened to be Black. Our First Sergeant said we could not room these two Soldiers together because of that fact alone and how it would appear. So we placed this brand new Private in a room with a senior Specialist who, under the circumstances would normally have his own room in this situation and left the other Private in a room to himself. When you make a plan and then change that plan based solely on the factor of race once you learn it. You are inherently practicing discrimination...

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 19 at 2016 3:06 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:06:12 -0400

There is a great deal of intolerance in PC.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 19 at 2016 5:11 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 17:11:55 -0400

You hit the nail on the head.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2016 9:19 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 21:19:08 -0400

The problem with concepts of "inclusion" and "diversity" is that one side does not respect inclusion and diversity of thought only skin color and ethnic background. So if you dare promote an alternative thought, you are a hate filled racists / misogynist. Can't have a dialogue if one side starts shouting ... screaming at the other. That's why I think the whole concept is a waste of time and counter productive.

Response by SGT Damaso V Santana made Jun 19 at 2016 9:42 PM

SGT Damaso V Santana — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 21:42:39 -0400

From day one the main goal of this administration has been to destroy from within and to push their Progressive agenda, this agenda's point of the spear has been "political correctness".
We in turn, have done absolutely nothing to reverse those trends, if we were to keep score based on years, the score would be "they" 7 "us" 0.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 20 at 2016 10:38 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 10:38:37 -0400

Yes. The biggest problem is people confusing equal opportunity with equal results. Now I'm not going to say discrimination doesn't happen. I know it does, but I also know it isn't as widespread or rampant as people make it out to be.

I had a friend whom I trusted with my life. Turns out he didn't value my life as much as I valued his life. Some of the things that came out of his mouth honestly scared me. The biggest issue being race. He started calling out for the extermination of the white man who've been oppressing his brothers for generations. Every time I saw him posting his hateful rhetoric I'd call him out on it before he finally blocked me from his life.

I grew up in multi-background neighborhoods. I am an equalist through and through. But lately it seems instead of classifying each other as people, everyone needs to subdivide you into little categories to determine how much "privilege" you have. You can only imagine how insulting it is growing up in the ghetto and then being told the only reason you got out of the ghetto is because I'm a straight white male. As if it had nothing to do with my single mom working double/triple shifts to save enough just to get out of the neighborhood.

Everyone has a struggle in life, but these days instead of recognizing that fact of life, we'd rather hold a pissing contest over who can be more oppressed.

Response by SCPO Don Baker made Jun 21 at 2016 7:55 AM

SCPO Don Baker — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 07:55:26 -0400

It's not just you, Major. With the media and the PC nazis, wedges between folks is growing everywhere in this country.

Response by CW3 Steven Prestridge made Jun 21 at 2016 8:36 AM

CW3 Steven Prestridge — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 08:36:21 -0400

It's not you. There was a study showing a correlation between sexual harassment training and anger between sexes. I'll try to find it later.

Response by SGT James Hammons made Jun 21 at 2016 8:49 AM

SGT James Hammons — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 08:49:20 -0400

The division and hate as seen in the States at this time is a pot stirred and until people work together they can not get anything accomplished. Teach or children to succeed no matter what color they are and they will. Raise a child in the Way they should go, and they will not part from it as it says in the Bible. It is not this governments job to divide the people.

Response by SFC Ken Heise made Jun 21 at 2016 9:04 AM

SFC Ken Heise — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:04:01 -0400

I'm just sick and tired of the military being used as a platform for social expirementation by our civilian leadership to push their political agendas.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Jun 21 at 2016 9:07 AM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:07:37 -0400

Maj Brewer, You stated what I've been pondering for a while now. I'm not one average anything... Part White, Part Black, Part Native, with a background that includes growing up in ranch-land Texas, where owning and using guns was expected and accepted... and on top of all that, I'm Jewish.
Someone I was having a conversation with, a person who is Liberal and a product of a very large university, where she graduated just a few years ago, rolled her eyes, told me I'd NEVER UNDERSTAND, since I was a WHITE CONSERVATIVE who would never know what it was like to be poor, working for everything you needed, and held back by everyone because you were black. Keep in mind that this person is a whole lot more white than I could ever be, and apparently loaded down with all sorts of "White Guilt" that she expected me to share.
For several seconds I stood there, wondering if I could hold back the snort-laugh that was coming, then I realized it was best not to laugh, because she was actually serious.
Instead, I explained to her, that I didn't have any white guilt, because I joined the work force at 16, I grew up wearing hand-me-downs, learning how to fix cars, hunt and grow food, and I never felt a bit of guilt about any of that.
Within a nanosecond, she was literally screaming at me, about how I was THE PROBLEM in this world, and people like me were just going to have to DIE before life equaled out.
At this point, I realized that a Throat Punch was a valid option, but I chose instead to laugh, and walk away. I am short, chubby and gray-haired, and I would not do well in Jail, so it was time to walk away, but inside I was stunned. Am I, because I have fair skin, THE PROBLEM? I don't have the answer to this one, but I'd love to hear from someone who might have a Clue!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 9:09 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:09:30 -0400

Absolutely.

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Jun 21 at 2016 9:35 AM

SFC Dennis Yancy — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:35:53 -0400

I always found you treat all your soldiers the same. I did not care what color, sex, culture, or gay. Yes during do not ask do not tell I had at least one gay soldier in my platoon. I did not care. Do your job, do not get me in trouble with management, and let me trust you I did not care what you are as long as you are the best soldier you can be. Do these things and I will do my best for you.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jun 21 at 2016 9:54 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:54:53 -0400

I do not think so. What the civilian populous is trying to push into our military will happen and when those that really do not belong fail, it will hurt them more than it does us. We are a tough group of people that focus on the mission for the country. I think the straw that will break the camel's back is when we open enlistment to transgenders that right shortly after joining will have gender reassignment surgery. A first termer that before drawing TA 50 is in the OR. I know they will say this is discrimination, no the difference is we never allowed people in before that were known to automatically need surgical care. I would love to have my wife join but she cannot because of her severe asthma. We just do not enlist or commission people we know from day one will have deployment issues. The person that is really going to hurt is the transgender that has surgery at start of their first time and all soldiers will see is someone showing up and going on qtrs slip. They will be isolated and forgotten and not because they are transgendered, other soldiers that get con leave before proving their value get the same thing. Why enlist someone in that you know up front this is the misery they will suffer?

Response by CAPT Hiram Patterson made Jun 21 at 2016 10:13 AM

CAPT Hiram Patterson — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:13:17 -0400

I detest PC just for the sake of PC. The two most overused and disgusting words to me are welcoming and inclusive. These are excuse words for PC.

Response by PO3 Sandra Gomke made Jun 21 at 2016 10:25 AM

PO3 Sandra Gomke — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:25:19 -0400

I wouldn't say "hate" as much as impatience. People seem to be going to extremes to be inclusive and are so busy trying to say the right thing that they just lose the ability to communicate. It's frustrating.

Response by SSgt Robert Dant made Jun 21 at 2016 10:54 AM

SSgt Robert Dant — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:54:09 -0400

This is a great question but the PC label and all labels are the problems. Not too long ago we were all Americans and all included. The civil rights movement was greatly needed as mindless people could not see humans through God's eyes. If we simply looked at everyone through God's eye and believed we are are equal and have the same rights- the pendulum of diversity would not swing to the extremes.

By creating labels, the PC crowd thinks the best way to solve the problem is not talk about it - we should all know that is swinging the pendulum to far.

Why not address the root cause and see if we can fix them.

Response by MAJ Clyde Howell made Jun 21 at 2016 11:04 AM

MAJ Clyde Howell — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 11:04:38 -0400

The terms inclusion, diversity, and pluralism are used by many people for many different things or agendas, almost all of them incorrect. The intent is not to be able to say that we have Black, Asian, men, women, Christian, Jew, or Muslim or anything else in addition to white. The goal is to see all as human beings worthy of, deserving of, and receiving of respect and dignity simply because they are human beings. When we look at people by category we reduce them to outliers (even white people) and that can only breed disrespect, being demeaned, and the resulting situations being described here.

This was easy in the military because everyone was green and their gender was soldier. Sadly, that is no longer the case as social prejudices have entered the military and brought with them the same biases and counterproductive behavior rampant in society at large.

Response by A1C Joe Edwards made Jun 21 at 2016 11:22 AM

A1C Joe Edwards — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 11:22:49 -0400

PC will get you killed. You will either say something to the wrong person, who will take offense, and then because they are too weak, will go around you and make your making a living harder, or try to get you fired. (Sometimes you just need to pay attention to the weenies who will win by attrition) Trying to be so PC that you try not to offend anyone, what happens in a war situation? Bullets don't care, bombs don't care, so why would any soldier really care? Call it like you see it, and stop worrying about hurting someone's feeling, growing up and dealing with it is better for you.

Response by TSgt Brian Herman made Jun 21 at 2016 12:03 PM

TSgt Brian Herman — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:03:36 -0400

Short answer is yes. Political correctness is the single greatest threat to America there is.

Response by CPO David Sharp made Jun 21 at 2016 12:24 PM

CPO David Sharp — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:24:25 -0400

Maj. Brewer, I don't think it is you on this issue. My opinion is that in this effort of PC and diversity, the opposit effect and affect has happened. Genuine dialogue has ceased, it feels the looking over the shoulder action before you speak has increased and some unsavory vibration pervades our interactions. The more the effort to be PC and "diverse", which I feel we already are as a Nation, the further everyone insulates themselves from any conversation about issues out of fear. Very distructive and polarizing.

Response by PO2 Mike Vignapiano made Jun 21 at 2016 12:31 PM

PO2 Mike Vignapiano — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:31:00 -0400

Nope, it's not you. I feel the same way. The pendulum has swung way too far to the left that anytime I hear or see someone raging against it, I feel a sigh of relief. I think that is why Trump has won the hearts of so many Americans from all backgrounds and why he may very well win, especially if the GOP dumps him.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 12:45 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:45:26 -0400

I absolutely agree with you--I think the PC environment has actually inhibited honest dialogue resulting in bottled up anger demonstrated in increased division and hate. Colin Powell commented on this not long ago too... but in hard pressed to find it now. Good post for thought--thanks!

Response by LCpl Kenneth Heath made Jun 21 at 2016 12:56 PM

LCpl Kenneth Heath — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:56:00 -0400

"Political Correctness" is like picking up a turd from the clean end!
It has replaced common courtesy and I find it exceedingly rude. PC needs to be replaced with "Patriotically Correct" aka acting right in public, showing manners, being polite, but calling a spade a spade! People are afraid to tell the truth anymore because there are too many 'cupcakes' out there who get offended by it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 1:40 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:40:54 -0400

I believe it does. America was once dubbed the "melting pot" because everyone came here and became an American. Now, we are so worried about offending others we have emphasized our differences rather than our oneness. A Soldier should be a Soldier; race, religion, etc. should be a non-factor. When we put such a focus on political correctness, thoughts and accusations of favoritism towards a particular group can easily lead to strife and internal division that will destroy a unit's cohesiveness.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 1:54 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:54:38 -0400

Absolutely!
With the HUGE push for equality between race, sex, and sexual orientation, there are greater allowances being made to include everyone, that those that don't meet the specific demographic are being excluded which causes resentment and even further discrimination. Let's look at a couple examples of this, shall we?

The push for racial equality is one of the biggest examples of this. The rights are equal. They have been equal since the conclusion of the Civil Rights movement. However, now, there seems to be this idea that ANY offense (perceived, or literal) that involves an African American or Hispanic citizen is immediately viewed as a racial hate act. Add to the fact that no such recognition is given to the reverse, and we run into a breeding of hate and resentment. Touch that into the military, where it is INSANELY easy for a Caucasian male to fall victim to a SHARP or EO complaint for even the most minor gray area, anger and, in some cases, hatred are fostered. I literally watched an African American female bring a fellow NCO up on an EO complaint because he wouldn't go to parade rest for her, claiming that it was because of her race that he wouldn't listen. And what happened? He's now out of the Army. He wasn't at parade rest because she wasn't addressing him directly. That was it. that covers the racial issue, and touches on the sex issue.

I've seen more than one person get away with horrible things because they claimed discrimination due to being a homosexual (though the offense had NOTHING) to do with it. And then the transgender bathroom issue came up, which only aggravated the problem, because now people are claiming left and right that they are being oppressed or discriminated against because of their sexual orientation, which will consistently fall on the accused perpetrator, regardless of fault. It happens daily, and it is being ignored.

Now why is this happening? Because so many people in our society are terrified of hurting people's feelings. We have become such a soft-skinned nation that the PC warriors are winning, and hurt feelings are equated to murder. In this push for equality (which already exists), it leaves us with one main perception (which has been confirmed by "demographic representatives" of various races, and sexualities) that if you are Caucasian, middle-class, and heterosexual, you are automatically wrong. You are racists, sexist and discriminatory.

If you want my opinion: leave it alone, quit whining and bitching about your butthurt feelings, and act like an adult. 72 years ago, 18 year old men were storming beaches and walking into hell itself, and now, 18 year olds need a safe space because words hurt their feelings. And you're going to tell me that we are making progress? The rest of the world is laughing at us.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 2:03 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 14:03:04 -0400

I think that once senior leaders begin looking past the little part on our uniforms that says "U.S." (or, "US", as in, "just US") and look at the different shades of humanity, they've already classified and categorized us, thereby dividing us into separate groups of hyphenated-Americans. With those pre-established fault lines, it makes fracturing and dividing that much easier, and with that forms the natural "us vs. THEM" mentality among the weaker-minded personnel.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 4:03 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 16:03:47 -0400

I imagine in the beginning pointing out politically incorrectness was fueled with good intent as a way of calling attention to everyday conversation that might unknowingly be hurtful to people who would not normally speak up.

Now, in it’s more malevolent, venomous and malignant way, PC is used to manipulate, to attack someone the moment they think that they have found a weak spot to exploit. It’s a tool used to shut people up and shut people down who don’t agree.

Response by A1C Lisa Casserly made Jun 21 at 2016 4:10 PM

A1C Lisa Casserly — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 16:10:41 -0400

I think you are right... The past 8 years have been a constant down-hill spiral of hatred, bad feelings, and so on. I didn't vote for the current president, but when he was elected, I had high hopes that his presidency would be a time for wonderful growth and understanding. He's had multiple, multiple, multiple opportunities to make things better. However, instead of calling for dialog, understanding, peace, and togetherness, he has created bad feelings, hatred, distrust. And I'm not saying that he's necessarily called for this openly, but by keeping silent, he's encouraged it. A REAL LEADER knows this... that its not just what you do or say, but what you don't do or say. In the PC situation, they seem to have forgotten that while we want equal rights for everyone, equal rights for even the smallest minority group, that they are ignoring and taking away the rights of the rest. To paraphrase something once said in Star Trek: In pushing forward the rights of the few, we should not take away the rights of the many. it seems that now the rights of the small groups are all that matter. It seems that they don't want equal rights, they want to lord it over and shove it down the throats of the many, and this is not right or fair or good, either.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Jun 21 at 2016 4:30 PM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 16:30:16 -0400

What I hear the most from my friends who are still active duty, is that they are tired of having it shoved down their throat. They say that all of the "social training" is grating on their nerves. People work together in the military regardless of ethnicity, gender, orientation, or other classification issues. They do however, reserve the right of association. When the military begins to force association off duty, you will completely lose the esprit de corps (sp?) and engender unresolved anger and frustration. A cohesive, effective military fighting force should be the goal. Not complete social reengineering. Just an old guy's opinion....

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 6:17 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 18:17:48 -0400

Yes it does. Many of those who have already posted have very good points. Some fo this genuinely to be kind to everyone but I have found if you try to please everyone you alienate those you try to please. For those who make category's biased on race sex and so on, they only perpetuate the divisions. Such people never see beyond their own two eyes. I have found that if you focuse on skill ability strengths and willingness diversity and inclusion tend to be byproducts of genuinely ignoring appearances in favor of skills and ability's. It's interesting that to accomplish what everyone claims they want to do they need to ignore those things they focuse on.

Response by PO1 Tharin Young made Jun 21 at 2016 11:29 PM

PO1 Tharin Young — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 23:29:20 -0400

It's not just you. And this has been happening for quite awhile. Political correctness has reached the point that it has often been referred to as 'soft tyranny', in which the need for tolerance has reached the point that anything that may be viewed as intolerant is simply not tolerated. This is as frustrating to many as it is ironic and has for quite some time been fostering resentment against these protected classes that far exceeds the intolerance when we were simply allowed to have an opinion.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jun 21 at 2016 11:56 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 23:56:53 -0400

It is Yin and Yang as the pendulum swings from left to right causing many to re-adjust their comfort zone until the normal swing is attained, human nature that is all. Just like dating the gal that your mother doesn't like but your dad is okey with.

Response by PO3 Paul Wieloszynski made Jun 22 at 2016 6:43 PM

PO3 Paul Wieloszynski — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 18:43:45 -0400

While I have been out of the Navy 44 years, it does seem that when we get schooled/scolded on "diversity" and "inclusivity" we go backwards. I learned very quickly when living in close quarters aboard a destroyer that people are just people. Nobody told us anything about tolerance; it was learned behavior, understanding that people of all creeds, colors, races, etc. are pretty much just like me. I learned that to harbor prejudices was to just give myself problems.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2016 6:48 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 06:48:24 -0400

Brexit proves my point. The inclusivity of the EU has, inturn, alienated the UK.

Response by SGT Rocky Venti made Jun 25 at 2016 2:26 PM

SGT Rocky Venti — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 14:26:21 -0400

If you notice the disturbances at Trump rallies it gives voters more incentive to vote against these rioters and their leadership(?). Too bad we can't just go back to all being Americans. The pres.(?) and his followers perpetrate the hate mongering and to me it would seem like a situation that would cause more people to go out and vote against these demonstrators and their so-called progressive/communist/democratic party. Hope America wakes up before the election and gets out to vote. God help us if we get another military hater, like obama, in as Commander In Chief. We need a true American loving leader to get us back to being a great country again. Trump...2016

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 5:41 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 17:41:48 -0400

The military is supposed to be a reflection of the society it serves.
There have been a lot of changes in US society over the years. All the military can do is try its best to match. Some people accept and adapt. Some people put up a fight for what they don't like and feel is right (this should be done through the correct political channels).
No system is perfect but inclusivity and diversity make teams stronger, not weaker. Yes, personalities, beliefs, prejudices, stereotypes; multitudes of paradigms will inevitably cause problems.
At the end of the day people have to learn how to get along with differences and get the job done together as one team, one nation, one military. Being PC aids in accomplishing the mission.

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Jun 30 at 2016 12:32 PM

SFC Dennis Yancy — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 12:32:59 -0400

I believe it is causing more problems than fixing. We will never all be the same, thank God, and why should we. You will become stale lose any incentive to do more. Being different is part of being American.

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Oct 27 at 2016 9:56 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 21:56:34 -0400

it isn't hate only officers think it's because they caused it in their command they had and turn around and call for the good of the service. if they don't want hate maybe they should appolizicefor their actions and try to reverse what they have done. it's all on you Captain edward t ciliberti

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2016 4:58 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 04:58:09 -0500

I think this election has proven my point.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Nov 9 at 2016 8:38 AM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 08:38:38 -0500

When I served, we ate, slept, worked, drank, pulled duty and played ball with folks "not like us" We knew we were of different stock but we didn't dwell on it and the mission was accomplished. I get the impression that in our current military, social trainers continue to "poke the bear" thinking that the bear will enjoy it or become a different bear. The truth is the bear either goes back to sleep or else wants to eat everyone in the room.....