In the Company of Men, by Nancy Mace: on Civil Rights


Diversity Squad: women,Jews,blacks know about "the only one"

By a funny coincidence, I was [assigned] to a squad that [included the] only black and the only Jewish Knobs in the platoon. Evan Reich was a Jewish boy who played the tuba and Allan Brooks was an African American psychology major who played the trumpet. Together, our three-knob squad was politely nicknamed the Diversity Squad. We referred to ourselves as the Odd Squad: "the Jew, the black, and the chick," and quickly became very tightly bonded. Each of us knew how it felt to be different, to be "the only one," and in spite of our personality difference , we developed a strong bond. We watched out for one another, encouraged one another. If I needed a place to talk or cry or vent, I could go to Reich or Brooks' room and know I would be safe. Soon I began carrying my leather and brass down to their room for nightly shine parties that were as much for moral support as for passing the next morning's inspection.
Source: In the Company of Men, by Nancy Mace, p.132 Sep 1, 2002

Female Citadel classmates alleged verbal and physical abuse

[My female classmates Kim & Jeanie] filed charges against The Citadel, claiming hazing & sexual harassment. The campus turned into a zoo, with media helicopters overhead, reporters swarming everywhere, and all the branches of law enforcement descending at once. It was as if the whole world had suddenly gone insane.

As Kim's roommate, I was the center of intense questioning by the FBI. They asked me if my chain of command officers had subjected me to the kind of hazing that Kim and Jeanie reported. I replied they had not, except for some nasty comments, my company had treated me just like all the other knobs.

Security was increased around [the 4th female classmate] Petra, and me. Guards were set, and we were told to lock our doors at night. Panic buttons that would immediately summon the guards were installed in our rooms.

Kim Messer and Jeanie Mentalavos left after one semester. While admitting no guilt, The Citadel settled out of court with a monetary payment to both plaintiffs.

Source: In the Company of Men, by Nancy Mace, p.169-70 Sep 1, 2002

  • The above quotations are from In the Company of Men
    A Woman at the Citadel
    by Nancy Mace & Mary Jane Ross.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Nancy Mace on Civil Rights.
Candidates and political leaders on Civil Rights:

Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Dec 30, 2021