By Dr. E. Faye Williams
(Trice Edney Wire) – Marvin Gaye once asked What’s Going On? If he were here today, I think the answer would be clear to him. RACISM! We have a government that uses phrases like, “This never happened before” and other renditions that tell us whatever it is, It is happening NOW! I don’t know where the man who would be king or Hegseth were during the ceremony for Chaplain William Green, but they sure weren’t there!
The past week, we had a real show of rudeness. If you don’t rule out the former A.G. Pam Bondi with the worst ever performance before Congress, then she would have been the first who didn’t know she was there to answer questions being asked by Congress. Putting her record of rudeness aside, and starting over with the person now seeking the job of A. G. to represent the people of the U S,Todd Blanche doesn’t know he is to represent the people – not the President.
So if we take that clear message over to what was once our Department of Defense—now Department of War, at a recent event, I saw clear evidence that the War Secretary has learned from his bosswho just delivered a shameful and debunked picture of the 2020 election.
A few days ago, the Department of Army showed us a positive picture of what positive men and women do to protect and serve our country. I was invited to attend a great event honoring Army Major General William Green, Jr. a Black man, who until April 2, 2026 was Chaplain of the Army. He was dismissed by Pete Hegseth without cause. Army personnel, friends and family of Major General Green (now retired) showed up to honor a compassionate, highly accomplished man for his great service to our country.
The unusual ousting of the Army’s top Chaplain prompted widespread concern from lawmakers, religious leaders and friends regarding Major General Green’s sudden dismissal by Pete Hegseth without cause. Others are allowed to voluntarily retire.—but not thisChaplain! This caused major ripple effects across the Department of Defense, drawing sharp criticism from officials everywhere. His removal is perceived as a significant departure from standard leadership changes, which are typically managed through voluntary retirements. A few days ago, people from across the nation came to Conmy Hall, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall to celebrate this highly accomplished man for his service. Hegseth nor Trump neither sent a message nor showed up for the event.
I’m glad they chose to stay away. It wasn’t their crowd! I don’t think either of them would have been welcome among the positive and grateful attendees who were there, admirers and the family of Major General Green showed up in mass. So did military personnel and others who knew Major General Green.
Dr. Pamela Wilson, President of I AM WOC, came in from Chicago for the ceremony. Next to Major General and Mrs. Green, Dr. Wilson, was the most popular person there! Many of those who came to honor Chaplain Green seemed to have been positively impacted by Dr. Wilson and Maj. General Green somewhere along the way. You don’t have to know what a great impact some people have on others, but they are out there, and the ceremony honoring Major General Green (Ret.) helped us to remember that despite the negativism in our nation, there are numerous examples for all of us to honor those who show the best of humanity. Thank you, Chaplain Green and President Wilson.
(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of The Dick Gregory Society.)
