Navy sailing into storm of ‘woke’ words
ROYAL Navy officers are being taught to question their “white privilege” and make sure they use the right pronouns to avoid offending the ratings.
HQ Divisional Officers and Troop Commanders Briefing Notes issued this summer urge them to “routinely share” their chosen pronouns, as an “act of allyship”.
They should also avoid saying “good morning, guys”, and use the gender neutral “everyone” or “team”.
It suggests doing so will prevent people feeling discriminated against, explaining: “We should leave the business of disheartening and alienating our own people to the enemy.
“We should, under no circumstances, do their job for them.”
Addressing the issue of “white privilege”, the notes say leaders – the vast majority of whom are white males – need to understand how race, class, gender and other aspects impact on a person’s identity “to recognise and appreciate the lived experience of those” in their team.
It added: “Sometimes people complain this is all about ‘identity politics’ and these ideas are demonising, in particular, young, white men.
“This is not the intention of engaging with ideas of privilege and intersectionality.
“However, it does mean that before you voice your opinion on another person, you should stop to think about whether you have the right to speak about them from a position of no direct expertise and consider whether your behaviour is contributing to or alleviating their existing disadvantage.”
It goes on: “The term ‘white privilege’ has been talked about in the context of the Black Lives Matter protests. It refers to the idea that skin colour can affect your lived experience such that it can either give you an advantage or be a barrier to almost all areas of life.
“‘Privilege’, in this case, doesn’t
mean you have special advantages, it simply means you don’t have the disadvantages associated with having a darker skin tone.”
In April, 10.6 per cent of the Navy’s regular forces were women and 5.1 per cent self-identified as being from a minority background.
An anonymous serviceman said of the notes: “Many service personnel are angry, confused and insulted, although few will formally complain as this language has become commonplace.
This demonstrates a worrying politicisation, and a lack of leadership to stand up to these views we have been compelled to speak.”
Following enquiries from the Sunday Express, the Ministry of Defence has now said the guidance was being looked at.
Last night, a spokesperson said: “It’s important to encourage personnel to be mindful of inclusivity and diversity. However, this guidance is being reviewed.”