Esper says he underestimated how much racial injustice affects service members
https://news.yahoo.com/esper-says-underestimated-much-racial-223108292.html
In the wake of the late May killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man prosecutors say was murdered by a white Minneapolis police officer, nationwide protests and demonstrations stirred up feelings across the military services, up to and including the Pentagons boss.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday that the moment was a wake-up call not only for America, but for himself, and has shaped his recent efforts around diversity and inclusion in the Defense Department.
I dont think what everybody appreciated at least me, personally is the depth of sentiment out there among our service members of color, particularly Black Americans, about how much the killing of George Floyd and the other incidents that preceded it and succeeded it had on them and what they were experiencing in the ranks as well, Esper said during a virtual appearance at the Aspen Security Forum.
In more than half-a-dozen sensing sessions during trips to bases around the country, Esper has sat down with troops of different ranks and backgrounds for feedback on the state of diversity and inclusion in the military.
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