1 00:00:00,111 --> 00:00:02,528 (slow music) 2 00:00:05,170 --> 00:00:09,290 - I am an Airman, and I share your anger and sadness. 3 00:00:09,290 --> 00:00:11,100 The killing of Mr. George Floyd 4 00:00:11,100 --> 00:00:13,800 sparked a necessary and overdue conversation 5 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:15,180 in this country. 6 00:00:15,180 --> 00:00:17,810 And the recent report on racial disparities 7 00:00:17,810 --> 00:00:19,940 in the military justice system 8 00:00:19,940 --> 00:00:21,820 draw us to do a mirror check 9 00:00:21,820 --> 00:00:25,110 and reflect on ourselves and our biases. 10 00:00:25,110 --> 00:00:28,110 For some, race has been a taboo topic, 11 00:00:28,110 --> 00:00:31,070 one we weren't even told was taboo. 12 00:00:31,070 --> 00:00:32,610 Like when I was growing up, 13 00:00:32,610 --> 00:00:35,480 we didn't talk about religion and politics. 14 00:00:35,480 --> 00:00:38,130 I grew up in a small town in Tennessee. 15 00:00:38,130 --> 00:00:40,840 It was not a diverse upbringing. 16 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:42,550 I didn't have a lot of interactions 17 00:00:42,550 --> 00:00:45,760 with people who didn't look or sound like me. 18 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:47,430 I lived a sheltered life 19 00:00:47,430 --> 00:00:49,670 and had never been west of Nashville 20 00:00:49,670 --> 00:00:52,270 until entering the Air Force Academy. 21 00:00:52,270 --> 00:00:54,310 It was during my journey in the Air Force 22 00:00:54,310 --> 00:00:56,960 where I learned to push back on boundaries 23 00:00:56,960 --> 00:00:59,360 and pay attention to my own interactions 24 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:02,093 to ensure I didn't limit someone's growth. 25 00:01:03,110 --> 00:01:07,790 I am a father, husband, neighbor, and friend, 26 00:01:07,790 --> 00:01:10,990 and like you, I am an Airman. 27 00:01:10,990 --> 00:01:14,050 I am and Airman who believes in our core values, 28 00:01:14,050 --> 00:01:17,170 our oath, and our Constitution. 29 00:01:17,170 --> 00:01:18,810 I am an Airman and Commander 30 00:01:18,810 --> 00:01:22,170 who is proud of the Air Force Materiel Command Team 31 00:01:22,170 --> 00:01:25,680 and honored to work for all 87,000 of you 32 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:27,960 in the largest and most diverse 33 00:01:27,960 --> 00:01:30,310 major Command in the Air Force. 34 00:01:30,310 --> 00:01:33,340 We represent all races, ethnicities, 35 00:01:33,340 --> 00:01:37,340 religions, sexual identities and orientations, 36 00:01:37,340 --> 00:01:40,020 educational backgrounds, career fields, 37 00:01:40,020 --> 00:01:44,290 generations, uniform and non-uniform Airmen. 38 00:01:44,290 --> 00:01:48,310 The diversity of our team is a strength 39 00:01:48,310 --> 00:01:51,520 and our views, experiences, and skills 40 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:54,890 contribute to the team and as I often say, 41 00:01:54,890 --> 00:01:57,980 none of us is as smart as all of us. 42 00:01:57,980 --> 00:02:00,800 We need to begin a dialogue that starts 43 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:02,673 with simply listening. 44 00:02:03,890 --> 00:02:07,050 I am a Commander who does not and will not 45 00:02:07,050 --> 00:02:10,993 tolerate racism and discrimination in AFMC. 46 00:02:11,900 --> 00:02:16,840 But I am also an Airman who has unconscious biases. 47 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:19,970 I believe we all have blind spots and biases, 48 00:02:19,970 --> 00:02:22,420 and whether we want to or not, 49 00:02:22,420 --> 00:02:23,693 we have a lot to learn. 50 00:02:24,810 --> 00:02:28,520 I am a Commander who is disappointed and frustrated 51 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:32,690 that 25% of respondents on our climate surveys 52 00:02:32,690 --> 00:02:36,440 express that racial slurs, jokes, and innuendos 53 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:39,490 are still present in our workplaces. 54 00:02:39,490 --> 00:02:41,650 This tells me we do not have 55 00:02:41,650 --> 00:02:43,373 the right workplace environment. 56 00:02:44,500 --> 00:02:47,260 I expect our workplaces and installations 57 00:02:47,260 --> 00:02:49,200 to be safe environments, 58 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:51,540 free from prejudice or fear 59 00:02:51,540 --> 00:02:54,993 and free from reprisal against anyone who speaks out. 60 00:02:56,050 --> 00:03:00,320 We must take this time to honestly assess ourselves 61 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:03,830 and see if we are measuring up to our oath, 62 00:03:03,830 --> 00:03:05,880 embracing our core values, 63 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:08,243 and creating the environment we need. 64 00:03:09,220 --> 00:03:11,960 This means we are going to have to be comfortable 65 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:15,390 being uncomfortable so we can have a dialogue 66 00:03:15,390 --> 00:03:16,723 and learn together. 67 00:03:17,740 --> 00:03:20,993 I expect leaders and supervisors to lead, 68 00:03:21,830 --> 00:03:26,120 set the example, encourage honest reflection, 69 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:30,240 then foster a culture of inclusion and understanding. 70 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,530 Leaders must take action, 71 00:03:33,530 --> 00:03:35,910 holding their people accountable at all levels 72 00:03:35,910 --> 00:03:38,200 to stamp out discrimination. 73 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:42,260 If we remain silent or walk by these problems, 74 00:03:42,260 --> 00:03:44,940 we will allow them to continue. 75 00:03:44,940 --> 00:03:48,420 We do not want bystanders in our Command. 76 00:03:48,420 --> 00:03:51,180 We may make mistakes along the way, 77 00:03:51,180 --> 00:03:53,040 but the biggest mistake we can make 78 00:03:53,040 --> 00:03:56,293 is to do nothing and simply hope it gets better. 79 00:03:57,530 --> 00:03:59,140 We have much more work to do 80 00:03:59,140 --> 00:04:02,160 to identify and remove barriers and bias 81 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:05,490 that stand in the way of our Airmen's success. 82 00:04:05,490 --> 00:04:10,080 But I am an Airman who believes we are stronger together 83 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:13,250 and only by tenacity and perseverance 84 00:04:13,250 --> 00:04:15,863 can we address racism in our command. 85 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:20,833 I am an Airman who doesn't have all the answers. 86 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:25,460 I am an Airman who wants to make a difference 87 00:04:25,460 --> 00:04:27,743 and be part of the solution. 88 00:04:28,670 --> 00:04:32,983 And I am making a personal commitment to implement change. 89 00:04:34,280 --> 00:04:39,110 AFMC, we are all Airmen, military and civilian 90 00:04:40,070 --> 00:04:43,360 and we cannot fix this overnight, 91 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:46,130 but we can fix it together. 92 00:04:46,130 --> 00:04:47,393 Will you join me?