Is there any racism against black people in the army?

Question

Im black and unsure of the answer and please be honest because i might join soon.

Answer 1

No more than there is racism anywhere else. Yes you may encounter some. just as you would encounter some in the Civilian world. There is also racism by black against whites both in and out of the military.

If you are going to refuse to join because you may encounter racism. you may as well check yourself out of Civilian life too.

Or are you just using the possibility of racism as an excuse?

Truth be told if you are looking to avoid racism then join the military. you are less likely to encounter it within such a proffesional organization as the US military than you are in the Civvy world.

Answer 2

There is racism in the British Army - it is unfortunately the case that you'll encounter racism almost anywhere. The British Army are on the case and trying to do something to put an end to it. Look at it this way. The only serving soldier in the British Army to have been awarded the VC [Victoria Cross] is black. Okay. Do not be afraid. I am not black so cannot tell you anything about racism as I have no experience of it and do not understand people's problems about race. My own view as an old soldier is that you should join up. The Army is a good life if a bit difficult at time. The sergeant who barks at you is trying to toughen you up so that if you are in a battle you'll be able to deal with it. Chin up, shoulders back etc. Hundreds of thousands of black soldiers joined with us in WW2 to defeat the world's worst tyranny. Always remember that. We won for liberty, freedom and democracy and in this 200th year of the abolition of slavery, it matters.

Answer 3

I was in the army about 15 years ago so I would hope things have changed. Back then racism was rife. There weren't many black guys and the ones who did stick it out beyond basic training were hard as nails. They had to be. Basically they would leather anybody who gave them grief.
The worst offenders were the older guys. They were from a different generation to us, hadn't been to school with, or had any black mates. Think Jim Davidson type humour here. They will all be gone now, so hopefully the next generation is better.

EDIT: Great answer above about teamwork. If somebody is going to carry me to safety after my legs have been blown off, then he's my brother regardless what race. I think most soldiers would agree with that.

Answer 4

The Armed Forces are a reflection of the society they serve therefore you will find the same mix of people and personality types.
However, in the army different types of people tend to be separated according (roughly, there are exceptions) to their abilities. By that I mean those with a better education are more likely to join a Corps than the Infantry. People with a better standard of education tend to be more able to think for themselves and less likely to get involved in 'pack' behaviour (like that of football hooligans).
I have deliberately used the terms 'more likely', 'less likely', 'tend to' because there are always exceptions and I don't like making sweeping generalisations.

Basically, you may meet some racists in the army but they are a minority and if you choose a trade/capbadge that needs a decent level of academic achievement then it is less likely.

Edit to add:

5 of the answers above me are from the USA. I'm looking at UK questions only so I think you wanted to know about the British Army, right?

Answer 5

It's impossible to find a large organization without some fools in it, but the military is one place where racism is not well tolerated, and woe be unto the person who is found to be overtly racist. They'll stomp on him, but hard. It would be difficult to find a more color-blind institution. On the other hand, if you go in thinking you can use affirmative action as a crutch to do less than your share, you'll be quickly disabused. It really is generally color-blind.

Answer 6

Actually, since 1948, the Army has always been ahead of the rest of our society in terms of racial equality and integration. There can't be institutionalized racism when up and down the line, there are people of all races in positions of command and responsibility.

Be that as it may, there are still pockets of racism that exist in the Army as they do in society at large. The same with sexism.

Therefore, keep your eyes wide open while you're in the service. The guy in the bunk next to you can be anything from one who believes in absolute racial and gender equality to the most ardent skin head and male chauvinist pig you can find.

Answer 7

Yes there is always racism everywhere but I was 5 years in the forces and found that people had to get on together.I made friends with black serviceman and one I knew rose through the ranks and is now a Major.It is a mixture of all backgrounds and they have to get on and seem to do okay we even had Irish catholics and Ulster men who had to say the least extrem views who lived and socialised together.Go for it.

Answer 8

There is no institutional racism as there was many, many years ago. I am in the Army. I have a small team and we have whites, blacks and hispanics. I put the team together by lobbying for who I thought was best fit for the job based on past experiences with them. Looking above me, I see you were answered by those who remember the negatives and failed to ever see people of different races get along and work well together. I think some people spend so much time on negative things that they fail to see the positive progress made. Just for bonus information, I am an Equal Opportunity Representative as an additional duty. I am one of the people charged with handling ANY complaint of discrimination and sexual harrassment. This is probably not the best place to get information like this. Everybody knows service members. Ask those you trust.

Answer 9

Yeah man that's everywhere but usually its not that bad in the military because your taught to get along and never leave a fallen Conrad. teamwork is drilled into your head from day one of basic. I knew a person that was a racist at first i ended up being his roommate and that turned his thoughts around about blacks. You will be around all nationality's you'll have to get use to each other and once you do that you'll be like brother or sisters

Answer 10

I have a friend in the army, and although he is not blatantly racist, he has brought army mates out with him and they are all 100% racist. They offended everybody, made racist comments on the street, and talked about the disgusting things they had done to Iraqis for fun.
I realise that Iraqis are not black, but you really ought to go into the army with your eyes wide open - the privates are a bunch of racist idiots with violent tendencies, and I doubt you'll have much fun there.
I have also read a few articles about the experience of black and Asian people in the army, and they certainly didn't make me feel any different.
I feel bad about this, but seriously the army is full of some of the worst scum in the country and I'd rather poke my eyes out with a fork than ever meet any of them again.