Master Sgt. Zachary Parish emailed cadets that morning about a perceived decline in some cadets’ grooming, and reminding both male and female cadets about the rules governing their hair.
The first sergeant concluded his email by reminding them about former NBA superstar Michael Jordan’s habit of appearing at press conferences in a suit and tie, even without a dress code requiring it.
“He was never seen with a gaudy chain around his neck, his pants below his waistline, or with a backwards baseball hat on during public appearances,” Parish said. [Air Force Times]
There is apparently concern that the email was racist. However, if you read the whole email in context in my opinion it is not racist:
The email is fine until he gets to the final point portion about Michael Jordan. Clearly in this section of the email he is trying to make the point that Michael Jordan understood how a professional appearance increased his own creditability and thus his personal brand. He wants cadets to think the same way. If he would have left out the gaudy chain and sagging pants line there probably would not be anything to complain about.
However, here is what the USAFA Vice Commandant for Climate and Culture had to say in response:
Col. Julian Stephens, vice commandant of cadets for culture and climate, sent another email that afternoon apologizing for Parish’s email.
“These comments were very disrespectful, derogatory and unprofessional and in no way reflective of [cadet wing leadership] views,” Stephens wrote. “Microaggressions such as these are often blindspots/unintentional biases that are not often recognized, and if they are recognized they are not always addressed.”
First of all I can’t believe the USAFA has an O6 position for Climate and Culture? Isn’t climate and culture something commanders are supposed to set?
Anyway in my opinion this email is more troubling than the original email. The whole “microaggressions” line seems to me to paint the First Sergeant as being unknowingly racist in effort to appease the Daily Kos / Huffington Post social justice warrior crowd.
It seems to me that Colonel Stephens could have said that First Sergeant Parish’s email referencing grooming standards could have been worded differently and he has been counseled on proper email etiquette. However, the First Sergeant’s point about improving grooming standards in the Air Force Academy is still valid. Writing a response like this would have saved the creditability of the First Sergeant and reinforced his message. Instead he is made out to be unknowing racist and thus a pariah.
With that all said why does an email about grooming standards even need to be sent out? Isn’t there enough leaders at the USAFA to light up cadets not following the grooming standards? Do leaders now not want to hurt cadets’ feelings by telling them to get a haircut and instead send out emails to enforce standards?
I just went through 3 months of intense French language and culture by a French away team.
A year ago, I ridiculed the French at every chance. Now, I will defend their honor to the death.
I drank a lot of Château Lafite Rothschild wine. I was told it was not the best wine… but it was the wine I should know.
I don’t fully understand what that means.
But I drank a LOT of wine better than the rest of my life combined.
setnaffa
6 years ago
It is okay to appreciate French Culture (i.e., Brie, Camenbert, and Rroquefort cheese) and mock French Culture (i.e., “migrants” dropping deuces on Parisian streets formerly hailed as tourist spots).
The French built their whole shtick on partially interrupted decay (wine, cheese, and de Sade) while lording it over the British who, not having sauces to pour over spoiled beef, had to stick with Shepherd’s Pie and Bitter Ales.
What you say setnaffa? Microagressions in training will save you on the battlefield? That’s what they said in Nam. We are going back to a 70’s Officer Managed Army:( Thank goodness the High Schoolars are taking over the Gun Debate.
setnaffa
6 years ago
Wherein Ole Tanker confuses setnaffa with Chickenhead and confuses high school students with adults who know their arse from a posthole. Hilarity ensues.
johnnyboy
6 years ago
Not to say the students shouldn’t have a voice.
Just that their voice should be recognized for what it is……
not spammed by the media as the voice of reason in an attempt to finally ram through additional legislation or presidential action.
What did any of us really know at 18? I knew nothing of guns and gun laws.
setnaffa
6 years ago
CNN: The school shooter was 19, so we shouldn’t trust those under 21 with firearms; but 16 year olds should totally be able to vote. Don’t pay any attention to previous shooters over the age of 21 (like in Orlando, San Bernadino, Fort Hood, Las Vegas, or Aurora), nor those under 21 gang members using illegally-obtained weapons in Baltimore or Chicago who kill over 17 people in an average week.
Bernard
6 years ago
Diversity includes, but is not limited to age, ethnicity, class, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, as well as religious status, gender expression, educational background, geographical location, income, marital status, parental status, and work experiences.
When enforced, AFI 36-2903 ensures all Airmen, regardless of age, ethnicity, class, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, as well as religious status, gender expression, educational background, geographical location, income, marital status, parental status, and work experiences, are held to the same grooming standards.
Sometimes leaders fail to recognize that personal, cultural, and institutionalized discrimination creates and sustains privileges for some while creating and sustaining disadvantages for others.
In this case, the First Sergeant addressed grooming standards compliance with ALL Airmen. In response, he was irresponsibly singled out, disrespected, accused of micro aggression, and publicly embarrassed by those same leaders who preach diversity and respect for all.
If USAFA and Cadet Wing Leadership had effectively addressed the problem with grooming standards compliance, the First Sergeant wouldn’t have felt a need to address the issue in Nov 2017 and again in Feb 2018.
Ole Tanker
6 years ago
Bernard, this is disconcerting, going bald isn’t covered. 😮
I am scrwed. Ich bin haarlos.
Bernard
6 years ago
Sorry Mate
setnaffa
6 years ago
I was hairless going through chemo in late 2017. I was totally not covered… Please forgive me for any mental images that might have spawned.
Bernard
6 years ago
@JoeC I had forgetton about Olds. Thanks for the reminder.
Bernard
6 years ago
My reading between the lines of Col Stephens response to MSgt Parish’ honest email.
Col. Julian Stephens, vice commandant of cadets for culture and climate {but not important enough to have a biography available for public awareness}, sent another email that afternoon apologizing {groveling to his boss and the rest of USAFA leadership} for Parish’s email {which indicates Col Stephens was unaware of what was happening on campus}.
“These comments were very disrespectful, derogatory and unprofessional {referring to the fact that MSgt Parish did not request Col Stephens explicit permission to tell the truth} and in no way reflective of [cadet wing leadership] views,” Stephens wrote {However he stated.
“Microaggressions such as these are often blindspots/unintentional biases {I didn’t know he was going to be honest about something I continue to ignore, but don’t have the fortitude to risk hurting a cadets’ feelings} that are not often recognized {not worth taking my time to address}, and if they are recognized they are not always addressed {I, and my peers, choose not to get involved in such trivial matters}.”
After consideration, I suspect the real issue is that black cadets still think the thug life chose them…
…as the letter seems written to appeal to black sensibilities.
“Leadership” didn’t want to be accused of throwing out triggering microaggressive racist dog whistles to their entitled Affirmative Action cadets.
Besides, the Army was getting all the good press over the empowerment of their black cadets being able to slouch around while displaying a sluggish Black Power salute.
Leftist socialist BS.
Any USAF cadets,vifficers, ir enlisted personnel complaining should be given an immediate administrative discharge and prohibited from reenlisting.
Anyone else should be told to shut up as it does not concern them.
Looks like I need better glasses and an edit button… ☹
Only five more months until my man retires! WOOHOO!
Think I’ll print this out an post it on our fridge as affirmation he is doing the right thing.
I hear vifficers like covfefe. 😀
He tells like he sees it. Need many more like him.
Didn’t August Willich say, “Microagressions on the drill ground will save macroagressions on the battlefield.”
CH, what he said was “Durch Mikroaggression auf dem Übungsplatz werden Makroaggressionen auf dem Schlachtfeld gerettet.”
Sorry… my German is… uh… nonexistant.
I just went through 3 months of intense French language and culture by a French away team.
A year ago, I ridiculed the French at every chance. Now, I will defend their honor to the death.
I drank a lot of Château Lafite Rothschild wine. I was told it was not the best wine… but it was the wine I should know.
I don’t fully understand what that means.
But I drank a LOT of wine better than the rest of my life combined.
It is okay to appreciate French Culture (i.e., Brie, Camenbert, and Rroquefort cheese) and mock French Culture (i.e., “migrants” dropping deuces on Parisian streets formerly hailed as tourist spots).
The French built their whole shtick on partially interrupted decay (wine, cheese, and de Sade) while lording it over the British who, not having sauces to pour over spoiled beef, had to stick with Shepherd’s Pie and Bitter Ales.
Combat ace Robin Olds didn’t care much for Air Force grooming standards. policy They had to make him Commandant of Cadets at the Academy to get him to comply.
What you say setnaffa? Microagressions in training will save you on the battlefield? That’s what they said in Nam. We are going back to a 70’s Officer Managed Army:( Thank goodness the High Schoolars are taking over the Gun Debate.
Wherein Ole Tanker confuses setnaffa with Chickenhead and confuses high school students with adults who know their arse from a posthole. Hilarity ensues.
Not to say the students shouldn’t have a voice.
Just that their voice should be recognized for what it is……
not spammed by the media as the voice of reason in an attempt to finally ram through additional legislation or presidential action.
What did any of us really know at 18? I knew nothing of guns and gun laws.
CNN: The school shooter was 19, so we shouldn’t trust those under 21 with firearms; but 16 year olds should totally be able to vote. Don’t pay any attention to previous shooters over the age of 21 (like in Orlando, San Bernadino, Fort Hood, Las Vegas, or Aurora), nor those under 21 gang members using illegally-obtained weapons in Baltimore or Chicago who kill over 17 people in an average week.
Diversity includes, but is not limited to age, ethnicity, class, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, as well as religious status, gender expression, educational background, geographical location, income, marital status, parental status, and work experiences.
When enforced, AFI 36-2903 ensures all Airmen, regardless of age, ethnicity, class, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, as well as religious status, gender expression, educational background, geographical location, income, marital status, parental status, and work experiences, are held to the same grooming standards.
Sometimes leaders fail to recognize that personal, cultural, and institutionalized discrimination creates and sustains privileges for some while creating and sustaining disadvantages for others.
In this case, the First Sergeant addressed grooming standards compliance with ALL Airmen. In response, he was irresponsibly singled out, disrespected, accused of micro aggression, and publicly embarrassed by those same leaders who preach diversity and respect for all.
If USAFA and Cadet Wing Leadership had effectively addressed the problem with grooming standards compliance, the First Sergeant wouldn’t have felt a need to address the issue in Nov 2017 and again in Feb 2018.
Bernard, this is disconcerting, going bald isn’t covered. 😮
I am scrwed. Ich bin haarlos.
Sorry Mate
I was hairless going through chemo in late 2017. I was totally not covered… Please forgive me for any mental images that might have spawned.
@JoeC I had forgetton about Olds. Thanks for the reminder.
My reading between the lines of Col Stephens response to MSgt Parish’ honest email.
Col. Julian Stephens, vice commandant of cadets for culture and climate {but not important enough to have a biography available for public awareness}, sent another email that afternoon apologizing {groveling to his boss and the rest of USAFA leadership} for Parish’s email {which indicates Col Stephens was unaware of what was happening on campus}.
“These comments were very disrespectful, derogatory and unprofessional {referring to the fact that MSgt Parish did not request Col Stephens explicit permission to tell the truth} and in no way reflective of [cadet wing leadership] views,” Stephens wrote {However he stated.
“Microaggressions such as these are often blindspots/unintentional biases {I didn’t know he was going to be honest about something I continue to ignore, but don’t have the fortitude to risk hurting a cadets’ feelings} that are not often recognized {not worth taking my time to address}, and if they are recognized they are not always addressed {I, and my peers, choose not to get involved in such trivial matters}.”
Good analysis Bernard.
After consideration, I suspect the real issue is that black cadets still think the thug life chose them…
…as the letter seems written to appeal to black sensibilities.
“Leadership” didn’t want to be accused of throwing out triggering microaggressive racist dog whistles to their entitled Affirmative Action cadets.
Besides, the Army was getting all the good press over the empowerment of their black cadets being able to slouch around while displaying a sluggish Black Power salute.
http://flcourier.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/160513_nation01.jpg
I wonder if anyone at the USAFA has sent out emails letting cadets know it is not okay to conduct a racist hoax?:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/08/us/air-force-academy-racist.html