Diversity Thursday

We have a follow-up to the "ladder of shame" story from last month.

Shall we let out a collective "sigh" now, or wait until the end? Once again, retrograde forces are trying to pull us back to a time of segregation and disunity and away from cohesion. For their own socio-political reasons as well, spiced up with a bit of insecurity and self-loathing to make it interesting.

As Lex points out in the thread that CO links to, looks like the CO of the HOWARD has other priorities.

On July 3, 75 women from USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Chung Hoon (DDG 93) gathered for a women’s symposium hosted by USS Howard’s female commanding officer, Cmdr. Ande Bergmann, to discuss professional development topics for women in the US Navy, and to discuss sexual harassment, assault and the policies governing the issues.

“We heard a cry, specifically on how to address and confront sexual assault and harassment,” Bergmann said. “In response, we decided that a small symposium would allow us to come together and truly educate ourselves on these issues in the workplace that women throughout the fleet face.”

Held at an off-ship location, women from all ranks were able to meet in a more intimate setting and discuss the tough issues confronting women embarked on ships.

Being that you did this little stunt in civies - Skipper I'm going to call by your first name, Ande.

Ande, I have supported women in the service since I was a wee-MIDN - but it is leaders like you that, in 2012, continue to pull us back and make it difficult for men like me to tell others to treat you as equals. The reason? You don't act like you think you are.

I won't speak to your personal reasons that led to your discriminatory actions - only you know your heart - but I will say this; it is a cancer on your wardroom and others - a cancer of your creation.

Would you like it if a couple of male destroyer COs had a "men only" event to discuss ways to avoid false accusations of sexual harassment? False claims do happen, you know.

How about any "men only" event? Would you celebrate that?

I know that you are just following the cues from people like RADM Klein - but that really isn't an excuse. This is the second decade of the 21st Century. Lead all your people Ande; don't act like a patronizing sexist. You're better than that - and so is our Navy.

How about holding a marlinspike seamanship seminar next month instead? Something radical like an "all hands event."