By Aimee Allison The military has spent millions trying to appeal to Latinos and blacks. But as Aimee Allison shows, the military is rife with racism, sexism and homophobia. As a young soldier, officers degraded Aimee because of her gender and race. As Aimee shows, she is far from alone. Discrimination is steeped throughout the military.
"When I first joined the military at age 17, a military doctor administered a demeaning and uncomfortable pelvic exam during my induction physical. He didn't wear gloves.
When I was at Army boot camp at Fort Jackson, S.C., standing in line for chow, I overheard the white drill sergeant tell a dark-skinned recruit with a smile, 'You look like Kunta Kinte [a slave from the TV miniseries Roots].'"
Aimee Allison served as a medic in the Army Reserves and received an honorable discharge as a conscientious objector during the Persian Gulf War. A community activist and organizational consultant, she counsels military people seeking CO discharges and is a leader in the counter-recruitment movement.