The Maryland National Guard will not participate in a parade to honor the life and legacy of abolitionist and Maryland native Frederick Douglass, citing guidance from the Department of Defense.
In a memo, the Maryland National Guard said that since the event is organized as part of a Black History Month celebration they are unable to participate, The Washington Post reports.
“The Maryland National Guard is precluded from using federal resources, including man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months, including National African American/Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month,” the Maryland National Guard said in the memo.
“In accordance with the new guidance, the Maryland National Guard must decline events which celebrates individuals based all or in part on immutable characteristics,” it added.
The decision led organizers to cancel the February 22 parade, Tarence Bailey Sr., a descendant of Douglass said.
“Without the Maryland National Guard and the Massachusetts National Guard’s 54th Massachusetts, the heart of the parade tribute was cut out. Frederick Douglass doesn’t deserve this after all he’s done for this nation,” Bailey Sr., said.
After he was narrowly confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of Defense last month, Pete Hegseth issued a memo announcing that the Department of Defense will no longer celebrate or recognize ‘identity months’ including Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
The Army Recruiting Command announced they will stop recruitment efforts at a prestigious Black engineering event due to concerns that participation in the predominantly Black event could run afoul of Trump’s orders and the Pentagon’s efforts to erase diversity efforts in the military, according to Military.com.
During a recent Pentagon town hall Hegseth said the phrase “diversity is our strength” is the “single dumbest phrase in military history.”
