REMAIN OPTIMISTIC ABOUT RACIAL AND GENDER PROGRESS
By Captain Jason Birch, U.S. Navy
Conversations about race are unnatural to many in special operations, but the flood of protests following George Floyd’s 25 May death in Minneapolis has sparked an uncomfortable discourse for many in our nation. Racist and sexist comments made in June by a U.S. Naval Academy graduate—a retired Navy captain—exposed how important these conversations are for the Navy. His long-hidden sentiments struck a nerve with me, along with many in our proud Naval Academy alumni community. These views held by a community leader call into question whether there is an undercurrent of sexism—or particularly racism—within the Navy and within the special operations community, of which I am a member.