Alaska Military Base Being Investigated for Alleged ‘Racial Thursdays’

A soldier wears new combat boots, included in the U.S. Army’s new Army Combat Uniform (ACU), February 8, 2005 at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
ERIK S. LESSER/GETTY IMAGES

The U.S. Army is investigating allegations that soldiers on a base in Alaska were given a pass to hurl racial slurs at each other during so-called “Racial Thursdays,” according to Army Times.

The soldiers are members of 2nd Platoon, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, a member of the unit tells the Times. The battalion belongs to the 25th Infantry Division’s 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

“When I first got to my unit, someone said we should do ‘Racial Thursdays’ because it’s been a tradition,” a black staff sergeant, who asked to remain anonymous, tells the publication. “It’s something they made up where you can say any racist remark you want without any consequences. The platoon sergeant said no, but the shit is still going on.”

The staff sergeant continued, telling the Times: “It’s degrading to the soldiers. We’ve had soldiers almost fight over the crap that’s going on here.” He tells the Times no that one has directed any racial slurs at him because he made it clear he would not participate or put up with the practice.

U.S. Army Alaska began an inquiry into the allegations late last week, Lt. Col. Alan Brown, a spokesman for the command tells the news outlet.

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Source: The Root | LYNETTE HOLLOWAY