ICYMI: Congressman Brown Counters Republican Attacks Against Military Diversity And Inclusion Initiatives

Press Release

In case you missed it, Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) a member of the House Armed Services Committee and 30-year Army veteran, wrote an opinion piece in USA Today pushing back against recent attacks by some Republicans against diversity and inclusion initiatives in the military.

Congressman Brown argues that racial bias in the military is a pressing problem, which has gone unaddressed for decades. He points to the historic injustices against servicemembers of color as well as recent instances of racial bias to argue that we have a responsibility to act in order to ensure our military reflects our country's diversity and values.

Key quotes include:

"Many Republicans have made clear their political strategy moving forward is to attack institutions putting in the work to promote diversity, inclusion and equity. Our military is just the latest flashpoint."

"I served in the United States Army for 30 years. I love the institution, have tremendous respect for the men and women in its ranks, and embrace its values. When I retired a few years ago, they had to rip the uniform off my back. It's because of this reverence, that we must be honest about the issues within our military and the changes we must make."

"Today, the full promise of the American dream through military service remains out of reach for many Black servicemembers. Seventy-three years after President Harry Truman desegregated the military, only two of the 41 four-star generals and admirals are Black. Seventy-three years later servicemembers of color are still woefully underrepresented in our pilot corps and elite units. Seventy-three years later and Black service members in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps are twice as likely to be tried by court martial."

"Most troubling, we have long known that these biases and disparities exist, and the same conclusions have been reached again and again, decade after decade."

"With Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the helm, we have a generational opportunity to finally make good on those promises, act on our values and field the strongest fighting force in the world. Not despite our diversity, but because of it."

"As the department moves forward with initiatives to empower and support every young American who has answered the call, we must stand by them and continue forward progress toward meeting our common creed. Not because of the color of their skin, their gender identity or where they come from. But because the opportunity to serve belongs to all Americans."

Source