As a minority and a future midshipman and officer, I think it is very important to have a diverse officer corps as well as enlisted force. It is good for minority candidates to know that they can be an officer, not just a cook or steward or some other enlisted occupation. Also I find it very insulting that people think that just because I am a minority that I will automatically get in; while that has something to do with it, I am also very qualified for admission by the standard. You shouldn't make assumptions like that.
Also, if what you are saying is true, then how is it that slavery occured? If we are all Americans, why are we all not given the same opportunities? The academies are simply trying to open their doors to minorities.
Very well put navymidshipman2015. Not only am I Hispanic, but I'm also a female, so that puts me as a minority within a minority. I worked just as hard as everyone else to obtain my appt, if not harder since I had to overcome double standards. The article is full of fallacies, but it did bring up a legitimate concern. Where
should the line be drawn when it comes to the issue of race? Race allows, as previously stated, diversity. Diversity in turn brings more ideas, different talent, etc. to the table; this is necessary in something as big as USNA and the fleet, especially if it wants to grow and prosper as a whole. However, merit should be weighted more heavily, as it reflects not only you but whatever group you're in.
Double standards, as much as we hate them, have unfortunately always been there, but are slowly diminishing. New doors have been opening. Blacks were allowed to serve in the military in the beginning of the century, women allowed to have new jobs in the work force. As slowly as it occurs, let's be thankful standards are disappearing.
To address the 'American issue,' diversity is what makes the U.S. so 'revolutionary.' If you look at other countries, we have the biggest mix of races; We do not look at ourselves as separate races living in one country. The U.S. is unified. I honestly think we should consider American a 'race' as itself.