Racism or the perception of racial discrimination also may be factors in discouraging blacks and other minorities from joining special-operations forces, said Rand researchers and others. It' s the perception that matters, not whether racism really exists, said Brig. Gen. Remo Butler, the first black Green Beret general. During workouts at the gym, Butler tries to recruit young black soldiers for Special Forces. Or, they tell Butler that no blacks are in Special Forces.
Perception is reality.
While many minority members of Special Forces said their units had been free of racial tension, they agreed some forms of racism still exist within the military. Former Green Berets have been tied to several militia and neo-Nazi groups. Top special-operations officers discount the impact of white supremacists and militias. Anthony Fletcher, a black Green Beret. You are an American.