New hate symbols on U.S. warships including noose spark Navy
condemnation
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[February 10, 2021]
By Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy's top
admiral on Tuesday condemned two new racist incidents involving hate
symbols on warships, which sources said included a noose that was left
on a Black sailor's bed.
The incidents, which occurred in recent weeks, underscore deep concerns
about racism in the ranks. The cases come as Pentagon leaders face
growing pressure to show progress in combating extremism after current
and former military servicemembers were found to have participated in
the siege of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
In one case being investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative
Service (NCIS), hate speech graffiti was discovered in a bathroom aboard
the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier. NCIS is also investigating the
noose incident aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain. Two
officials who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the details.
While he did not give details of the incidents, Chief of Naval
Operations Admiral Mike Gilday cautioned in a message to the fleet on
Tuesday that racial divisions in the ranks cut at the military's ability
to protect the country.
"If we must first question the intentions of our shipmate standing the
watch with us, now, and especially, when taking fire, we will fail when
the Nation needs us must in combat," Gilday said.
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Sailors man the rails onboard the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier
as they depart on deployment from Naval Station North Island in
Coronado, California, U.S. January 5, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake
Gilday's message came days after Lloyd Austin, the first Black
defense secretary, ordered military-wide standdowns, pausing regular
activity, to address white nationalism and other extremism.
Gilday acknowledged that addressing extremism is a leadership issue,
adding "we will own this.""Some sailors may think their voices do
not matter right now, or feel frustrated seeking to be seen and be
heard. But let me be clear, each of your voices matter," Gilday
said.'
"This standdown is another in our efforts to listen, to learn, and
to improve."
Reuters was first to report last month that nearly a third of Black
U.S. military servicemembers reported experiencing racial
discrimination, harassment or both during a 12-month period,
according to results of a long-withheld Defense Department survey.
(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
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