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SSG Warren Swan
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The article doesn't mention if he was asked to stop using it, but focuses on the fact that it's "commonplace" in this generation. That's rich. I'm black and RARELY use it speaking with fellow black people being it's "commonplace" to say but also "commonplace" to get your ass beat if the person takes offense to it. So it's best not to, so you don't get "tested" or in his case sent packing.
Did the Navy miss a teaching moment? No. You're accepted into the academies due to your high moral fiber, and good decision making skills. If your "decisions" are based off what is "hip" then not only is any of the academies are the wrong place for you, the military itself might be the wrong place for you. There a LOT of younger individuals on this site, and I haven't seen any of them call me "nigga, porch monkey, tar baby, or anything else of the sort". I have not called anyone a racial slur not because of being booted, suspended or PC, but because I just won't do it, and know just because "Johnny said it, I can too". That's not a defense, it's a cop out.
Three EO complaints for questionable language would tell me he knew what he was doing, and got comfortable doing it. This IS a teaching moment for the rest of the Mids and Cadets of the other branches. Don't say anything you either cannot back up, can get relieved for, or know before you say it, it's inappropriate. Sucks to be him. Pay back that tuition buddy.
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Sgt Kelli Mays
Sgt Kelli Mays
>1 y
SSG Warren Swan MSG Dan WaltherActually, the article does indeed state that one of the persons who made the complaint wrote to him and said it was not cool...the other person who complained, an African American asked him to stop sending these images...basically they were cartoon/or some sort of drawing with the word(s) on the cartoon/drawing....so he was asked by both complainants to stop sending these type of MEME's.......Even though he actually did not speak the Word "NIGGA" or even type it...but instead sent a MEME....and forwarded it....it was taken as racial slurs....I agree...I don't like it...I don't condone it......but, I believe in Second chances... I guess I am a bleeding heart and believe everyone should get a second chance...to change...to apologize...and he should have been sent to mandatory counseling...to be taught a lesson and given a chance to straighten up.
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SSG Warren Swan
SSG Warren Swan
>1 y
Sgt Kelli Mays - There is nothing wrong with giving someone a second chance. I'm all for it, and it's one of the things this country is supposed to do. But he was asked directly to stop once, that should've been his cue to stop there. To do it again whether using a meme, saying it directly or indirectly shows he was a bit "too comfortable". No one regardless of race has an inherent "right" to be "that comfortable". Like I said, I RARELY say it. I admit I'm imperfect, and I've had my cards pulled verbally and physically for saying it. To make it worse, I'm one of the darker shades in my family. Most would have you guessing if they're actually white, albino, or "mixed". All are black or straight up white.

He'll get a second chance. It just won't be as an officer (and maybe not even enlisted) in the military as a whole. His second chance will come as a civilian to atone for what he said by moving past it, making something positive of himself, and being an advocate for better racial relations. He's young, made a bonehead mistake, and can definitely rebound from it.
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SSG Warren Swan
SSG Warren Swan
>1 y
GySgt John Olson - My "generational" makeup has nothing to do with it when I have nephews who live with me and THEY were both born after Y2K and they DON'T SAY IT either. They're also black, so generation means nothing. When you get complacent in certain things, you get too comfortable, when you get too comfortable, you get your cards pulled. At least his were pulled in an administrative way, and in a manner where he can recover just fine.

What Hollywood gets a "pass" in saying doesn't represent real life, and in certain areas in this country calling someone of any race a racial slur will result in far more than a slap on the hand. Samuel L. Jackson has used it like candy in his movies, but in everyday conversation doesn't use it himself.

He should never had done it, his "generation" has nothing to do with anything other than using it as a cop out.

BTW I wasn't born in 74. I'm older than that, and neither of my parents allowed it. My mother is in her mid 70's, and when I slip today and say it where she can hear it, I will get my ass tenderized in kind. Granted it doesn't hurt nearly as bad physically as it used to.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
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I am with LTC Stephen F. on this. I hear this term used a lot in school between the kids. I do not like it as it implies some unpleasant rhings for me growing up in the 60s. I too, think a warning to not repeat the offense, unless that was done already and ignored. Professional speech and behavior in all settings will keep you out of trouble and show appropriate respect for everyone.
SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SPC Margaret Higgins MSG Dan Walther SSG Warren Swan Capt Dwayne Conyers MAJ James Woods SFC Shirley Whitfield SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. A1C Ian Williams Maj Marty Hogan
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
>1 y
Exactly ma'am, I grew up hearing the N word thrown around like water, now it's not really cool to use, don't blame people for disliking the term, it is derogetory.
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MAJ James Woods
MAJ James Woods
>1 y
From reading the man's comments of defense, I would say he never accepted that use of it was unacceptable after multiple warnings.
As for LTC Stephen F. comment, it doesn't matter if you've heard several Black men or women use either the "-er" or "-a" version of the word, the Black community has been struggling at eliminating that language from our culture. This has been addressed in even the more popular Spike Lee movies of the '90s trying to educate the Black youths the inappropriateness and derogatory nature of this language.
So with all do respect, lets drop all the "That word is used among African American men and women in a much more relaxed way." so it must be acceptable. It isn't.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
Lt Col Charlie Brown
>1 y
As a school counselor, I strongly discouraged the use of any of that language. I find it offensive, regardless of who says it or who it is said to. And since the young man was told it was offensive and continued the behavior, good riddance.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
Lt Col Charlie Brown
>1 y
MSG Dan Walther after rereading it, I changed my position.
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MAJ James Woods
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The "Black folks use the word so why can't I use the word" excuse is getting old. Common language used by a "generation of street-tough teenagers"? In otherwords, language by street thug wannabes that think they are cool by using offensive language; that's nothing to brag about as acceptable behavior. As a future military leader, he should understand the difference and furthermore not allow his subordinates to consider it as acceptable language. As for the song "Humble", if anyone in the public space working on spirit posters had found any of the "sexually charged, drug related, racially charged" language offensive (not just the "nigga" word) they be in their right to ask for the song to be turned off.
One would think as you transition from HS to college/university level education, all the street slang and offensive language would be left behind as you start engaging folks from other social cultures. By the way, sometimes when a Black man calls another Black man that word, it's meant as an insult not a term of endearment between two "brothas". If this Midshipman was Black and using the term in the same manner as this guy, I would hope someone would ask him to stop as it violates the code of conduct and standards of the Academy and the Navy.
As for his expulsion, the defense he's using tells me he's not capable of acknowledging the issue and accept that it is inappropriate; thus, leaders don't see him capable of being a leader with character that learns from mistakes. Otherwise, he still be in the Academy.
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