Racial and Cultural Appreciation
12/13/2012
I grew up in a southwest Virginia family that privately expressed racial prejudice towards the “Negroes.” It wasn’t hatred they expressed, but even my devoutly Christian grandmother believed that the “White” and “Negro” races were not equal. I recall when the black families began to move into our pristine middle-class neighborhood, like other “whites,” we moved. I had every reason to adopt their prejudiced beliefs. But for some reason, I did not buy into inequality in perception or opportunity, even then. I was very curious about the Black families. My favorite baseball player was Willie Mays and although not vocal, I had great sympathy for the Blacks during the race riots of the 60s. Even then, I had experienced virtually no interaction with them as we went to separate schools. Later when I was teaching and coaching post college, there were no Black students in our schools. It was not until Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in 1968 did I interact with Blacks, and the first was my Drill Instructor whom I quickly came to admire and respect. Within a year I was in command of a platoon in Viet Nam, which was probably 20% Black Marines. It was in the rice patties, mountains, and jungles of Viet Nam that I realized how wrong our country had been for so many years. In combat, color of skin, culture, and former prejudices take a backseat to mutual respect, manhood, and the desire to survive. Officer, enlisted, race, or religion – little mattered except duty, survival, and a genuine caring for one another. To this day, I marvel at how our unit (squads, platoons, and company) worked together. A mix of whites, Mexicans, American Indians, and Blacks – we fought laughed, commiserated, and on occasion imbibed. Some I will never forget.
There was a Black Lance Corporal by the name of King (not sure I ever knew his first name) who survived his year in the “bush” with two purple hearts as I recall. He was our self-appointed lay preacher and led our Sunday morning prayer meeting. When I arrived, King had already spent too much timing walking “point” - very hazardous duty in the Nam. I insisted that King not walk point as he was on the backside of his tour, and I didn’t want to lose him. However, the troops had so much confidence in him, and he would still insist on walking point on the most dangerous of missions. LCPL King was one of many Black Marines who are memorable to me.
It was not long before my sympathy turned to respect and admiration of “Blacks” as they were now called. I concluded that not only were they equal to whites intellectually, but they were superior athletically. I marveled at their rhythm, musical talent, oratory skills, passion for life, and leadership. In a very short period of time, given the opportunity, Blacks have achieved great things in America– not the least of which is the presidency of our great nation. Thus, I disdain the term racial tolerance, because it implies we must “put up” with one another. I prefer the term racial or cultural appreciation, because it is a better description of what we must feel or learn to feel. I have zero patience with racial slurs as our cadets have learned. There is no room in America for a racial divide or intolerance. I will continue to treat racial slurs as an egregious offense at Riverside and punish accordingly.