On Thursday, rumors swelled around the U.S. Coast Guard’s policy change for Coast Guard members, alleging that the display of racist symbols would be re-classified as a lesser offense.
The news came after The Washington Post broke the story that the Coast Guard had drafted a new policy, classifying hate symbols such as nooses, swastikas, and confederate flags as “potentially divisive.”
It’s the addition of the “potentially” that drew droves of condemnation on social media and from various officials. Before the publication of the story, Coast Guard spokeswoman Jennifer Plozai said by phone to The Post that the organization disagreed with the outlet’s reporting and intended to further examine its policy changes.
The Coast Guard’s current policy has been in place since 2019, and clearly states that such symbols are identified as hateful. Period. The controversial new policy changes were reportedly set to go into effect on Dec.15.
However, last night the Coast Guard backpeddled and released a statement prohibiting the hate symbols. “Divisive or hate symbols and flags are prohibited,” stated the most recent memo released Thursday evening.
“These symbols and flags include, but are not exclusive to, the following: a noose, a swastika, and any symbols or flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups as representations of supremacy, racial or religious intolerance, anti-semitism, or any other improper bias.”
After the initial alleged policy change was shared with the public, Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada said the change “rolls back important protections against bigotry and could allow for horrifically hateful symbols like swastikas and nooses to be inexplicably permitted to be displayed.”
The US Coast Guard is one of America’s six armed forces and the only military branch in the Department of Homeland Security. And lately, this division has made more headlines lately, after a number of strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. Orchestrated by the president, the controversial strikes have created a firestorm on both sides of the political spectrum, as many say they are unlawful.
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