Did you know that nine military families were relocated from a single base in the U.S. after their children faced vicious racism at their local school? The minute I heard this happened I knew it was wrong, unconstitutional and reflected a constant fear for military families of color like mine.
As the Organizing Director of Secure Families Initiative I knew we could help our families facing this injustice and instantly called a meeting of the SFI Caucuses. I shared this story and concern with our Black, Hispanic, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Indigenous and Native Peoples caucuses, and members shared personal experiences of racism and discrimination while PCS’ing – many for the first time.
Knowing there was data to support these claims, from the recent groundbreaking University of Syracuse report, I reached out to Blue Star Families Campaign for Inclusion staff and asked if we could work together to share this important information along with the lived experiences of our members. We started the conversation that next month, February 2023. (You can catch up on all of these conversations on our Facebook page.)
SFI Caucuses in Action
At SFI we saw the highest number of engagement with these informative, unprecedented conversations and knew we wanted to help so that these concerns for safety were addressed at the highest levels of government, knowing this was a national security issue.
We began meeting weekly as multicultural military families to discuss how legislation was the key to true change. After hours and hours of discussion, research and brainstorming, we came away with 5 legislative recommendations created by our military families of color.
We didn’t stop there, our Black, Hispanic, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Indigenous and Native Peoples Caucus members began sharing their stories through nearly a dozen op-eds (linked on the Campaign home page) and with policymakers on the Hill. Our members took time off of work, away from their families and even joined meetings in between driving their children to and from school and doctors appointments to meet with lawmakers. And decision makers wanted to hear from us! When we met with the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) they listened to our lived experiences and acted!
Historic Legislative Victory
We were thrilled to learn that the SASC National Defense Authorization Act 2025 (NDAA 25) Report requires a “Briefing on military reassignment policies under compassionate or humanitarian conditions.”
This Report is an important step in ensuring that all military families have a way to address safety concerns, as a result of a campaign created and led by courageous military families of color. Our ancestors for generations have fought in every battle the U.S. has ever faced, yet we still are not treated equally.
This Report is the first in many steps needed to provide military families a record of the racism they are experiencing, thus putting an end to this system of silencing, which too many have mistakenly believed meant that racism was nonexistent in our community. The culture of colorblindness embraced by the military, coupled with the “fear of being singled out,” is unacceptable. History has taught us – through the horrific stories of violence inflicted on veterans Maceo Snipes, Isaac Woodard and more recently Airman Fortson – that our U.S. military and Congress must intervene and protect all of our families.
As a military spouse we often are told, “If you are experiencing a problem, tell your member of Congress.” At SFI we have, and will continue to advocate for our community by meeting directly with decision-makers. We will not stop supporting each other from telling the truth to those who need to hear it. This is a needed exchange because, as those whose families are defending the constitution and sacrificing for its guaranteed protections for all, we can’t have military children being run out of town because of the color of their skin.
We have the answers and solutions to equity, but as a nation we must decide if we are going to be who we say we are. This is the responsibility for all, but especially paramount for those who have sworn an oath to the constitution. SFI hopes more wins like this legislation will combat the injustices in our country which is as vital now as it ever has been.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew then as he wrote from his jail cell in Birmingham that we couldn’t wait for rights that are granted under our constitution from the founding of our nation.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
At SFI we know there is no need to wait for others to take action. We are the ones we have been waiting for. Join us!
Learn More About the Campaign for PCS Safety
- Secure Families Initiative Campaign for PCS Safety
- Senate Armed Services Committee 2025 Report
- Campaign Launch Opinion piece in Newsweek: Acknowledging Juneteenth Isn’t Enough. The Military Must Advocate for Change.