It must be us. My fellow Sisterhood members have shared concrete ideas for action, and other ideas are being discussed in the Women’s SIG and on the SAW pages. If POC and women aren’t attending your meetings, seek them out and find out why. Naval Academy has a long and proud history of service to the nation and of producing some of the finest officers in the Navy and the Marine Corps. Restoration of the Naval Academy Chapel has begun and this work requires the removal, and replacement, of all the copper that has adorned the building since 1928. For those attending camp for the first time, welcome to Annapolis, MD and Navy Baseball. I would have felt punched in the gut watching it happen. Work with NAMA and the Women’s SIG to determine which of our diverse graduates who have served our country with honor deserve their name on a building. Change requires individual and group action. We will not pretend to have been blind to bigotry until this moment. Today’s Academy is very diverse in its midshipmen corps. The conversations will be difficult and passionate. The diversity of our officer corps does not reflect the diversity of our enlisted sailors under 60% of whom are white and including almost 20% African American sailors. The main purpose of this campaign is to produce pieces of memorabilia that our midshipmen, and alumni, could acquire to remember their service and time at the Academy. The goal of the US Naval Academy Women’s Shared Interest Group (USNA Women’s SIG) is to re-engage women and men with the US Naval Academy Alumni Association and each other while addressing issues of concern to women who have attended the US Naval … Today, marchers fill our nation’s streets to protest the murder of unarmed black citizens by police, and the Naval Academy responds to vitriolic racism unintentionally broadcast by an alumnus. Deliberately adding works by minority authors to reading lists. It means identifying racist and misogynistic constructs and removing them. It’s time to live up to our core values. The WordPress based sites have a very intuitive user interface for … We are excited to welcome you back to ALCNS to join us in an upcoming programme organised collaboratively by NUS Nursing Alumni and ALCNS. But as we do it, we must embrace the discomfort. Determining new names for these buildings reveals the enormity of the larger problem. Not just works. We expect that cover to be placed on the top of Herndon. From our different walks of life, and our common service, we humbly offer our grief, our anger, and our suggestions for change. There will STILL be a chokepoint, since most elected officials granting nominations are not POC, so I have zero issues with quotas. Over the past two weeks, I’ve said and done the wrong thing over and over again as I have grappled with my own ignorance of how racism shapes our country. Focusing on BIG racisms keeps our gaze trained outward, trying to catch the spectacular, instead of linking these acts to the greater system already existing around us. I recognize that we’ve made some progress, and I can confidently say it is not enough and coming about way too slowly. The USNA Alumni Association Sponsors an Alumni Insurance Program. No doubt. We listen and we educate… and we lead. I understand the need for professionalism and decorum; those two behaviors do not prohibit us from being outraged at the behavior of one of our own and more importantly the in-your-face realization that racism and sexism are alive and “well” in our organization and our institution. Women at the Academy: Are They Measuring up? We partner, we co-author, we embrace and learn from others, and we humble ourselves. And while this story demonstrates sexism in action, I wondered about the many similar gestures that my brothers and sisters of color have experienced over the decades. Nor will we pretend that we are blameless in our fellow citizens’ plight. I know, Buchanan was the first Superintendent and Maury is the “Father of Modern Meteorology” who served this nation for thirty years before the Civil War. Done more. Your attitude and words will determine whether one of them reports harassment, bias, or any other of a myriad of problems they might be experiencing. And leaders speak up. To stay the course, perhaps we should place a banner over the entrance to our work places, or a sticky on our bathroom mirrors, or a yard sign between our tulips that says “Racism lives here,” an ever present exhortation to refocus our gaze and attention, and most importantly, our actions, to the system that surrounds us. Like pointing out the uniqueness of the girl ones and never linking that to a history of gender-based exclusion, we identify these acts as discrete, isolated examples of racism untethered from the roots of a larger system. At USNA, remove the names of Maury and Buchanan, and actively engage the Naval Academy Minority Association in choosing the replacement names. It makes me feel like a horrible person. The USNA Arizona Parents' Club is your only source for the Class Crest Blanket. Current leaders exhibiting racist or sexist behavior must be immediately identified, advised, educated, and given a brief opportunity to make an about face and if they choose not to do so, they are no longer welcome to participate in the leadership of the Alumni Association, the Academy, and subsequently our armed services. Say something. We are, after all, an organization that calls regularly on men to be allies, to not stand by as our sisters are mistreated. None of this is easy. Some individual is being held accountable for racism and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Updated Fri Dec 25 22:51:21 EST 2020. Instead, these behaviors are often protected or shielded seemingly to protect the reputation of the institution at large. More people of color in the admissions process:  Blue and Gold officers, Admissions officers, Alumni Admissions Board members. The Amy Coopers, the Tom Austins, the husband and wife duos, the never ending march of daily encounters where everyday white people enforce a system of violent racial domination. Deliberate staffing to ensure senior ranks include POCs (and more than a token few—I see no reason, for example, that one Battalion officer at USNA should not be female, one a PoC at all times). The Naval Academy prides itself on being a top tier institution of higher learning. If you don’t like the internet you can call Wreaths Across America directly toll-free – 1-877-385-9504. And if we cannot learn, we cannot change and we cannot reshape America. Here in New Orleans, at the height of our lockdown, two priests rode around the city in the back of a run-down trailer for hours, wearing baseball caps and blasting Gregorian chants from a massive sound system… just to reach people of any belief structure and bless them. As such, it needs to bake diversity into the system. Focus on ending bystander culture; case-studies, and serious conversations about institutional bias (for example: Are there statistics on discipline meted out to POCs vs. white Marines and Sailors?). . Change racist unit names (I belonged to the HS-6 Indians, aka the Screaming Redskins. It makes me feel insensitive and stupid. The leadership of the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Class of 1969 recognized the importance of mentoring in achieving performance excellence. This despite the Naval Academy classes consistently starting each class from 1971-1998 with 5.5% African American representation and consistently reaching 7% or above in African American officer accessions since that time. Why would we continue to celebrate men who failed this test? Learning how blind I have been and how my ignorance has affected others’ lives hurts. With the opening of Hopper Hall and the shuffling of department locations, it is an appropriate time to rename Maury Hall. In fact, one could compare themselves to the actions captured on video and think “I would never behave like that; therefore I am not racist” and go on about their lives. The U.S. “Look, Ma, a BIG racism.”. I WILL NOT GET IT. Do we truly lead with Honor, Courage, and Commitment to the mission of the Naval Academy and our Oath of Office? Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation support the Naval Academy and its mission through engagement and philanthropy. While we should always teach and learn history as it occurred; it is time to take a look again at what and who is important to the development of our Academy and the Alumni Association. Made in the USA of 100% cotton and excellent quality, all proceeds benefit the USNA Arizona Parents' Club activities which support the Midshipmen and All-Academies Ball; as well as the USNA Alumni Association, Class of 2021. Change requires institutional reflection followed by action. Done more. If you are at a tailgate or an alumni event and hear anyone interacting with our midshipmen and junior officers, voicing their prejudice outright or in coded language, say something. I do not imply that CAPT Bethmann does not deserve the opportunity to rehabilitate nor that he does not deserve that personal support of his friends and family while he and his family work through this situation. Naval Academy (USNA) and U.S. I challenge our leaders at every level to challenge the status quo and mentor someone who thinks, talks, learns, looks, or leads differently than you to take on and succeed as a leader in our institution and our Navy and Marine Corps because that’s our job! Questions can be directed to the Reunion POC’s on the class blog here https://usna1980.blogspot.com. There are 2,000 grave markers at the Naval Academy Cemetery. Listen to them if they say they do not feel welcome, and then work to be more inclusive. Use your credit card. How are we, the Naval Academy and the Alumni  Community, growing diverse leaders so that we can see a change in the years ahead? Change requires individual and group action. The anger and shame rose to my face. I’ll get the details wrong… but the gist is that as one of her male classmates neared the top of Herndon, someone threw him a female bucket cover to place on the top. Yes, for some time this will involve quotas. Tell them you want the wreath delivered to United States Naval Academy Cemetery, Annapolis, Maryland. We must be humble. Know what you will say before it happens. Our Chance to Know Her is Gone, but we can Remember Her – CTICS (IW/EXW) Shannon Mary Kent, Feb 7, 2020: Five for Friday in honor of Black History Month, Waltzing Around Change- Recollections of Plebe Year Ballroom Dancing, Leadership LINKS: Developing our Future Leaders, The 5th Annual Service Academies Global Summit, Twenty-One Years of Healing . Racism and Sexism are alive and “well” and even protected amongst us. The number of stories women and minorities tell each other about an old grad, a professor, a classmate, or a leader who was blatantly racist or misogynistic, who tore minorities and women down, harassed them and voiced a lack of support for their success is embarrassing. And therein lies the problem with BIG racisms. Two weeks ago, in the wake of the revelation of CAPT Bethmann’s racist and sexist rant, the USNA Women’s SIG distribution list came alive. We can talk, listen, and learn every chance we get. News page for USNA News Center at USNA.edu. Details to follow. While the universe of women graduates of USNA is apparently diverse in perspective and – shockingly – type A, the immediate explosion of dialogue, activity, planning, and leadership that followed was a beautiful thing to experience. United States Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation USNA AA&F. How many times did my silence condone and reinforce racism? The Clinical Assessment Preceptor (CAP) course or previously known as Alumni Clinical Education (ACE) workshop for SIMPLE programme is into its 8 th year running.. We, the Midshipmen and Alumni, are as much the institution as the bricks of Stribling walk and the walls and windows of Bancroft Hall. #BeatArmy but #BeatRacismFirst. And I wondered – if that had happened when my class climbed Herndon, would the crowd have cheered? The U.S. When you know it is not okay. And until that cover is not thrown down and is instead celebrated, our work will not be done. Our experiences are not steeped in the toxic brew of slavery, Jim Crow, and racial animus. Stop dismissing Equal Opportunity training, SAPR training, and diversity celebrations as something the Navy “forces” you to do, and do not allow your subordinates and leaders to get away with that attitude either. Work through anti-racist reading lists. Explore United States Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation's 19,526 photos on Flickr! Football tickets that have already been purchased for the 2020 Reunion will be refunded as requested through the NAAA. 9,353 Followers, 99 Following, 982 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from USNA Alumni Association (@usnaalumni) We cannot remain silent. This is a serious signal from senior leadership that racism, even casual racism in the name of tradition, will not be tolerated. We will not pretend to have been blind to bigotry until this moment. This has to start at OCS/Plebe Summer/Boot Camp. Jada Elata is a graduate of USNA ‘03. I recommend this group for new parents to help get your bearings. Welcome to the official blog and update center of Navy Baseball Camps. The WordPress based sites have a very intuitive user interface for keeping the site up to date. This is the U.S Naval Academy Alumni Association company profile. And then we get up the next day to do it all over again. Many a female midshipman walking through T-court at the Naval Academy has heard a childish voice loudly proclaiming “look, it’s a girl one!”. and Counting, 2019 Distinguished Graduate Award Medal Ceremony, Sisterhood is Support in Our Darkest Hour, Thoughts following the first Class of ’98 Women’s Brunch – September 2018, Sisterhood of Mother B Callout for Articles, Women for Navy Athletics Alumni Dinner 2018. Follow this blog to keep up with the latest with the Great Class of 1989 Having problems accessing the Alumni Association website to register? Learn about our country’s problematic and often sordid history of racism. The Naval Academy Alumni Association can provide Board Approved SIGs that do not already have a web presence with a WordPress based site at no-cost as a tool in your SIG leadership toolbox. And the crowd cheered. In this submission, Beth Ann (Thomas) Vann (USNA’98) asks hard questions and presents concrete steps that USNA and the Fleet should take to address systemic racism. Updated Fri Dec 18 08:36:13 EST 2020. But change will take every one of us working in every way possible. Case Study: United States Naval Academy . Repeat it, again and again and again. Speaking up does not make any minority ungrateful, it demonstrates our investment in righting the ship. With a primary focus on engagement, the Alumni Association promotes informed advocacy for today’s … If you insist that the way we’ve led and addressed equality and change must be the way we do it in the future, then you are part of the problem. If you want to name the Superintendent’s residence after a Superintendent, it will still honor a white man continuing the lack of diversity of naming on the yard. Shared Interest Groups Sites. Over the next week, we will be sharing our founding members’ responses to recent events. Chair fly your response. At USNA, some portion of leadership class/history class readings should be by authors of color. A friend asked me this morning how I would measure success in addressing racism and sexism; how to judge when we’ve “arrived.” We will likely never arrive, since it will probably take America’s full lifetime to untangle racism from her institutions, her structures, and her people. Deliberate staffing to ensure more minority leadership in the entry, discipline, promotion, (Admissions, disciplinary/academic boards at USNA) processes. Moments to rejoice in our shared humanity and to take inspiration from. But these times also offer flashes of promise and resilience. How can we as alumni effect positive change? From the Navy’s own numbers (found here and here), on 1 January 2019, 86% of Flag officers were white men. Did I sit silently, ignorant and negligent, afraid to speak up because I wasn’t the target? High school friends who haven’t spoken in years are connecting and reaching out to old classmates to discuss the deep impacts of racism and how to lead change and are working to do more. Whew, that’s enough racism for the day. In this submission, Shannon Martin McClain (USNA’98) recommends concrete steps that Alumni, Midshipmen and Leaders to address situational and systemic racism. Do it  to encourage the conversations that come with those changes. Women and POC, especially when junior, have to pick their fights lest they are labeled “too sensitive” or “unable to take a joke.” Prepare yourself for the unexpected racist or bigoted remark or the off-color joke. If we value diversity in leadership, our long-term goal must be increasing diversity at all levels of our officer corps. Continue to open your eyes and ears to the experiences of those of us who are not of the majority and are willing to share our reality. A deliberate effort like this was made when women were first allowed onto warships:  a female officer first, then female enlisted. Our experiences are not steeped in the toxic brew of slavery, Jim Crow, and racial animus. I suspect we focus so much on the spectacle of BIG racisms because it is far easier to condemn a problem external to ourselves — one that we can easily see in someone else, say a “Karen” or a “Becky”- and thus,  distance ourselves from the problem that entangles us all. Silence is concurrence. It is time to recognize that our history is a work in progress. Tough bananas. E-MAIL ME DIRECTLY AT MY USNA ALUMNI CLASSMAIL ADDRESS, len.wass@1964.usna.com Chapter Officers - Please give this e-mail the widest possible distribution among your members and other alumni in your … Explore them today. Demanding professional behavior in the daily conduct of our business helps, but it is just a start. Yes, some folks will chafe and cry unfair and claim that white straight men are having their rights denied. When beauty breaks through and shows the best of what we have to offer, we can find motivation to push and act and believe. The Superintendent’s Quarters have only had the name Buchanan House since 1976 so the cry “but Tradition,” rings hollow in my ears. I can see the damage that continues to be done to people of varying races, genders, and sexual persuasions who valiantly raise their right hands to serve this great country and defend the constitution. For me, changing the names of Buchanan House and Maury Hall are easy wins. We can listen to podcasts. Looking at the Alumni Associations response to Capt Bethmann’s FB Live statements; Where is the apology, justice, and dignity for all the “Black Bitches in the office” and all the Chinese American and Female midshipman, sailors, and Marines who are taking over the Academy? While the US Naval Academy Alumni Association does receive some funds from the purchase of these heirlooms, costs have been purposefully kept low to make them as affordable as possible. We can be grateful and demand change at the same time because we took the opportunity. It identifies dimensions of our history and culture that have allowed privileges associated with “whiteness” and disadvantages associated with “color” to endure and adapt over time.” That means that the discrimination so evident in BIG racisms is here in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and in every aspect of our society. But we must also be open and willing to make mistakes – as we will – and learn from them. Who we venerate demonstrates what we value. We are supposed to be better than this. Official Name: United States Naval Academy (USNA) Founded: October 10, 1845 Location: Annapolis, Maryland Number of Midshipmen: Roughly 4,500 School Colors: Navy Blue and Gold Mascot: “Billy” the Goat Education: 4 years So where do we go now, and what do we do? At the worst moments, I focus on the magnitude and complexity of the problems we face because they are everywhere, appearing intractable and destructive, and I cannot move with their weight. When faced with this question of loyalty, we expect our Midshipmen and alumni to choose loyalty to their oath and the Constitution. The truth is, we could gather up everyone committing BIG racisms, we could wait until the “old generation” or “old white men” or “the South”, or whatever group we’ve identified as the carriers of racism, dies out, and racism would still exist. , MD and Navy Baseball men who failed this test, painful and... 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