What would you do if you hear young Soldiers in a car ranting racial slurs while you are at a traffic light?

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 18:21:55 -0400

Unbelievable I am a stop sign at FT. Knox, and I hear loud racial slurs coming from the pick up next to be at the light on base.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jun 29 at 2014 6:24 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 18:24:06 -0400

My first thought was to write down the tag number, follow them, and then what? I could talk to the CSM if I found out what unit they were in. I am blown away with blatant disrespect. What are your thoughts?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2014 6:29 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 18:29:59 -0400

Chaplain

Sounds to me like your best option is to provide what information you have to the appropriate authorities. I can't say you'll have much luck - but the other option is to let it go.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jun 29 at 2014 7:22 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 19:22:05 -0400

This may sound extreme, but if you are stopped at a light... put your parking break on and get out of the car and walk over to them. Tell them who you are (a Captain, a Chaplain, etc.) and tell them to pull over to the side of the road. Once pulled over, show them your ID card so they know who you are, and ask for all their ID cards. Take a picture of each (with your phone) or write down their information. Then report it to their chain of command and let them deal with it.

I think that this is particularly appropriate since it was on base, as you described. If somebody doesn't stand up when hearing this, how are those Soldiers ever going to be corrected?

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 29 at 2014 8:28 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 20:28:39 -0400

Sad and truly disheartening. You wonder what kind of culture they come from and who and what enabled, emboldened that kind of Behavior.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 29 at 2014 8:33 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 20:33:08 -0400

Am I driving a Hummer with a mounted .50 cal and gunner on the way to the range, perchance?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2014 8:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 20:37:22 -0400

Probably irrelevant, but, which stoplight?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 29 at 2014 9:05 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 21:05:56 -0400

Excellent Question CH Davis. I would definitely grab the tags and contact the unit or MPs to find the unit. Taking immediate action as some have suggested while very stand up may cause more harm then good.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jun 30 at 2014 9:38 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 21:38:43 -0400

While nothing is likely to completely eradicate racism and sexism, there are
things we can do to minimize their affect on our units.
• Awareness. To make a difference in these areas, we must be aware the potential
for both exist. We must also make a conscious effort to look for problems or
problem areas in which either or both could happen.
• Education. Education will empower people to recognize behaviors related to racism
and sexism. Individuals can then reflect, and check their own behaviors and
attitudes.
• Legislation. This not only refers to the ‘laws of the land’ relevant to racism and
sexism, but also to the standards and policies implemented within your unit
mandating acceptable standards of behavior. As leaders, we must make it known
what we will and will not accept in behavior patterns from the unit members.
• Participation. This refers to taking part in activities in which you would mix with
members of different races and genders. There are people who isolate themselves
from others who are different. To do this reduces the opportunity to learn that the
stereotypes held toward different groups often have no basis for truth.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jun 30 at 2014 10:21 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:21:16 -0400

It brings to mind a line from the cornball movie Top Gun. "I want some butt, I want it now, I want some butt".

When I was doing penance at Goodfellow AFB a few years back learning to be "Intelligent" (kidding), I "indicted" the chow hall, letting everyone know that I would be there daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the midst of my tour there, a table full of significantly younger people were uttering some racially disparaging comments. I (in uniform-so were they) turned around, saw who it was and approached them. In my outside voice, I told them that comments such as those were not to uttered in my chow hall and put them out. I explained that if I were to hear them again, we would stop being friends. They told me that they were just joking, and I explained that I was not and to get out, now. "we are not done eating", this chow hall is closed for you, until you learn how to act. If you have a problem with being put out, have your commander come find me, my name is TSgt Nolan, I am the only TSgt in the Intel School, easy to find.

Funny, but commander never did come asking for me.

CPT Davis,

Anyone who has a problem with anyone simply because of the color of their skin is not worth having a conversation with. Certainly not worth having in my military. Clearly is an idiot.

If you are offended by that last comment, then you are an idiot, and I will not apologize for that.

Racism is a learned behavior. It has no place in the profession of arms. End of rant.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 10:15 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 10:15:15 -0500

Are you listening to rednecks cussing out people in a general sense, or just screaming along to the radio?

Whether or not you think that "should matter", I think that the problem needs context.

Secondly, your best bet would be to approach them, but do not take photos of their ID cards (there are actually a few laws against that), but you can certainly try to get their name and/or unit... but if you're able to address it then-and-there, you really don't -need- to escalate it after the fact.