Being a Black Woman in the Army
By ArmyChick
@ArmyChick (488)
United States
July 16, 2007 1:16am CST
Well, being a black woman is hard enough. And being a woman in the Army isnt that easy either. But to be both? lol. Its a lot harder than people think. you have to constantly prove yourself. You have to prove that youre capable of moving to the next rank a little harder than everyone else. Its even worse if your chain of command is a minority as well. Its like the expect so much out of you. Sometimes i dont want to have to prove myself with everything. Right now im in iraq, and i kinda just want to go home. Im so tired and weary. Its not easy to be in a Mans Army. It has gotten easier, but its far from easy.
6 responses
@pjanaway (247)
•
22 Jul 07
I think its cool that you are doing this and not backing down. It must be hard. Personally I have never seen a black women in the army before, but I haven't really seen many white women either. This is because most of the time they show men on tv and news. So keep it up, don't back down and I'm sure someday we will see more women in the army.
Or even better, war could vanish and we wouldn't need army's in the first place. :)
1 person likes this
@ArmyChick (488)
• United States
18 Aug 07
yeah this is true. they never show women on television. and when they do, its not of us doing anything really. thanks
@19ewf84 (461)
• Austria
4 Aug 07
"This is because most of the time they show men on tv and news" - very true. I think that has to change! That's also a way to *teach* people that there aren't only men in the Army, Navy,... The people are still so full with preconception... When do people realize that women aren't only sitting in the kitchen anymore and doing housework?
I really think we need to talk more about this issue! About women in such kinds of jobs... (no matter if white, black, mexican,...) Not only talking, also doing, changing,...
It may sound stupid but.. I'm *glad* you share you're view since noone can tell the people what it really means to be primarily a woman secondly not white (about the second thing.. I so hate it that people still differentiate the *color*...)
1 person likes this
@Fyhubffffuh3466 (3)
• United States
29 Nov 12
Black women in the army are really annoying. I went to a recruiting office and the first impression I got from the army is a jungle. This African lady was so loud and ignoran of other people's feelings towards her obnoxious attitude that I couldn't concentrate on my aptitude test. I think black women especially African women need to stay out of the army. Black and African men are cool. But the women seem to be there for the easy paycheck.
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
16 Jul 07
I can only imagine how tough that must be. I don't think I could do it, besides the fact that I'm a total clutz, anything more than 12 push-ups just about kills me!
I totally feel you on the minority thing though, you know how it is down South. Try being Hispanic when everyone is all "OMG Mexicans are ruining the US". I'm not Mexican but down here anything that looks like it's not from around here is automatically labled Mexican so of course I get the crap end of the stick too. I think if anything it's taught me that people are people no matter where they're from and we need to embrace the humanity in that.
Keep up the good work though, I totally admire & appreciate what you're doing!
@ArmyChick (488)
• United States
16 Jul 07
Thanks. Yeah i know what you mean. Did you hear about the Mexicans in Russleville joining the Klan? how crazy is that?
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
16 Jul 07
No, I had no idea! That's crazy, just goes to show that crazy isn't color blind.
1 person likes this
@academic2 (7000)
• Uganda
4 Aug 07
At our time and age, racist attitudes appear tobe dying, I see black men in senior positions even in American Armies, remember General Colin Powels? Wise men in the army or anywhere Know it is not colour but ability-in anycase, being black is miliyarily more tactical than being white, it adds to camouflage and only a foolish white commander could fail to see this advantage!
@VotreAmie (3028)
• United States
4 Aug 07
Hi ArmyChick. When I saw your username I thought either she is really in the army or she has a relative or friend in the army! So you are in the army ArmyChick! Wow! I never knew anybody in the army and this is the first time. You must be tough!
You are still in Iraq ArmyChick? I hope everything goes well for you. And be carefull. I wish you good luck.
@blueyesco (156)
• United States
22 Jul 07
I am not black but I am a woman and I spent 6 yrs in the Navy. As an electronices tech, I was suprised how often I was told I was in a man's job and didn't belong. Needless to say 6 yrs was plenty.
1 person likes this
@tazpromote (965)
• United States
18 Nov 07
Hi,
I am an Army Vet and now a Navy Vet. I am also a black woman. You are so right! People think that just because you're a woman, you can't do the same things as others. Then to top it all off, you're also black. Sweetie, just grin and bare it because it tends to get worse before it gets better.
I was Army for 4.5 years and Navy for 5.5 years for a grand total of 10 years of dealing with sexism above racism. It will be ok though. Just hold on and keep God first!
If you'd like to talk, just send me a private message and I will be glad to chat with ya.
Take care and stay Blessed and I thank you for serving our country!!
Best Regards,
Tanya
