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<p>Everyone that knows me knows that I am not racist and despise racism but the Army has kicked a hornets nest with the recent publicity on the Black Engineer of the Year Award, or BEYA, conference, held in Washington D.C., Feb. 7-8.
</p><p>We as a profession of arms should not be supporting segregating awards based on race. </p><p>I am aware that this is not an Army award but a civilian award to civilian engineers, but the Army should not be promoting or supporting programs such as these merely because of the image they portray.</p>
</p><p>We as a profession of arms should not be supporting segregating awards based on race. </p><p>I am aware that this is not an Army award but a civilian award to civilian engineers, but the Army should not be promoting or supporting programs such as these merely because of the image they portray.</p>
EO
Awards
Racism
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 26
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Here's another perspective: it's demeaning. <div><br></div><div>Saying I'm the Best Minority Officer implies that I wouldn't stack up against the whole field if compared to everyone. I don't want that award. </div>
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1SG(P) (Join to see)
I think such an award is appropriate. But only if folks who newly realize they're black are eligible as well. (I'm trying to add some levity)
http://vimeo.com/68856094
http://vimeo.com/68856094
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SFC (Join to see)
Update: The conference call went very well, he was very receptive to what was being said. I think the take home point was that the publicity of the event was done all wrong because of how it was received by the general public. According to our conversation there was a Caucasian person that received an award which completely baffled me.
All in all I think the conversation went very well and he understood my point that had it merely been the Engineer of the Year award it probably wouldn't have caused such a firestorm.
I am supposed to be getting a call back once he takes our talking points to the boss.
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SGT William Howell
CPT (Join to see) CPT, based off your answer I would have a sneaking suspension that you would stack up well against ANY of your peers.
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Here's my thing.... If this were to be a WEYA (White Engineer of the Year Award), what would be the response?? I'm sure that the winners are deserving, but that is not the point at hand, is it? But, if this were WEYA instead of BEYA I'm sure the NAACP, ACLU, NNC, NUL, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and any other black rights organizations would be having a heyday... not to mention the media. Equality should be equal... on all fronts, regardless of race, creed, beliefs, etc. Racism will continue until we stop highlighting race in acheivements.
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree with the CPT, by placing a race requirement on the award relegates it, as if the awardee wouldn't measure up unless compared to those of the same race. It is demeaning.
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SFC (Join to see)
SSG Graves, you should learn the difference between being a racist and having prejudice. Being a racist means my race is superior to yours and it involves hate. Everyone is not a racist but everyone has prejudices.
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Agreed completely. It's hypocritical to proclaim "equality! equality!" and then turn around and make race a prerequisite to an award. The only way to get rid of racism is to stop acknowledging race, period. No more white, black, brown ,red, or whatever color you'd like. Just HUMAN. Once we stop categorizing ourselves, the battle is half won.
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