How the Irish became White. Or why Pete Hegseth likes St. Patrick Day and not Black History Month

Over the San Antonio Express-News, Sig Christensen asks why Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put an end to Black History Month and other celebrations of identity in the military, but gave a pass to St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a fair question.

A taste:

After his first week on the job, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth canceled cultural awareness observances in the military, including Black History Month, Women’s History Month and National Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Identity Months Dead at DoD,” said the headline on his Jan. 31 announcement. Activities that emphasize gender and racial differences undermine unity and readiness among the troops, Hegseth said.

It turns out there are exceptions to the prohibition. Celebrations saluting an Irish Catholic holiday, Irish culture and the wearing of green clothing — St. Patrick’s Day — are still on at Joint Base San Antonio and other military installations across the country….

How can these celebrations be squared with Hegseth’s order? That’s what some service members would like to know, judging from comments and questions posted in online discussion groups.

The answer: St. Patrick’s Day celebrates a historical figure “and does not highlight the immutable characteristics of one group at the exclusion of others,” an Air Force spokeswoman said.

“Celebrating this holiday appropriately may serve to build camaraderie and esprit de corps,” she added.

The distinction was not obvious to everyone.

In an Air Force-oriented Facebook forum, a user posted a bright-green digital poster touting the Travis AFB celebration, along with a comment:

“So it’s okay to celebrate St Patrick’s day which is based on a culture but not other cultures … make it make sense …”

Another user replied, “St. Patrick’s Day is a Christian holiday, not just a ‘Proud to be Irish’ holiday.”

Still another user wrote: “Sort of wondering if this is allowed with the new rules. Or, if it is, it raises some questions about why certain cultural events are allowed and others aren’t….”

When Hegseth lowered the boom on cultural awareness events, he suggested they were detrimental to morale and readiness.

“Our unity and purpose are instrumental to meeting the Department’s warfighting mission. Efforts to divide the force — to put one group ahead of another — erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution,” he said in the Jan. 31 directive.

“Going forward, DoD Components and Military Departments will not use official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months, including National African American/Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month.”

Hegseth continued: “Installations, units, and offices are encouraged to celebrate the valor and success of military heroes of all races, genders, and backgrounds as we restore our warrior culture and ethos. We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics.”

The prohibition against cultural awareness events was part of a broader Trump administration offensive against racial preferences and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

The administration shut down DEI offices throughout the federal government, fired their employees, and canceled DEI-related contracts and trainings. Military commands were ordered to scrub articles and images that showcased diversity from their websites and social media pages.

Read the entire piece here.