A couple in Florida have been caught on camera using the N-word and other racial slurs in reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement. S...
A couple in Florida have been caught on camera using the N-word and other racial slurs in reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Scott Bethmann, 63, and his wife, Nancy, were heard discussing news of companies that have denounced systematic racism following protests sparked by the killing of black man George Floyd.
Mr. Bethmann was a Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees member but resigned on Saturday after he accidentally started streaming the 33-minute conversation on Facebook Live which was initially viewed by hundreds then quickly went viral.
'I've got the emails about how we're supporting and we need to fix this problem, f**k you,' he said in the video from Friday. 'So all the white people have to say something nice to the black b***h that works in the office. But the black b***h don't get fired. It's bulls**t. Management's going to fire the white people.'
Scott Bethmann, 63, and his wife, Nancy, were heard discussing news coverage of companies that have denounced systematic racism following protests sparked by the killing of black man George Floyd
Bethmann continued: 'The white motherf***er can't say anything. That's the point we're making here, Nancy.'
Nancy is heard ranting: 'They're gonna get the blacks and the f***ing Asians from China who love to steal all of our intellectual property.'
Scott asks her at one point: 'Are you against the n****rs?'
Much of the clip features a black screen or shots of the couple's couch after Bethmann accidentally aired his opinion, particularly in response to an initiative taken by Citi Bank.
He only realized that followers could hear what was intended to be a private conversation after he started receiving comments on the social media platform.
'What are they talking about?' Mr. Bethmann can be heard saying, before seemingly realizing his mistake, and reacting: 'Oops.'
It's unclear what the comments stated.
The video was quickly cut off, removed from the website and Mr. Bethmann has now deleted his profile.
However some viewers screen recorded the racist rant and shared it to the Atlantic Beach Facebook group as well as other virtual communities that have repeatedly removed threads about the video.
Social media users discussed whether the couple's opinion may have affected recruitment in the Naval Academy Alumni Association.
Nancy is heard ranting about 'f***ing Asians from China who love to steal all of our intellectual property,' to her husband
The couple were live for 33 minutes before Mr. Bethmann realized he was being broadcast on Facebook
Bethmann resigned from the Naval Academy Alumni Association on Saturday.
Caleb Cronic, the USNA Alumni Association Jacksonville chapter president, confirmed Bethmann had also been dis-enrolled from the alumni association.
The association has 65,000 members from 'diverse backgrounds and perspectives,' according to Retired Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III.
'These attributed statements do not represent the mission and values of the Alumni Association, the Naval Academy or the U.S. Navy,' Locklear III. 'As volunteer leaders in our communities, we must be inspirations and examples for all citizens. As Chairman of our Alumni Association, I have accepted the resignation of this alumnus effective today, and asked the Jacksonville, FL, chapter to take appropriate action to appoint a new Chapter Trustee.
'We support the Naval Academy mission. As alumni, we seek to uphold the Naval Academy core leadership values of honor, courage and commitment.
'As an alumni organization, we seek to be an inspiration for all young people who want to become future Navy and Marine Corps officers. We will continue to honor that inspirational role. We are all in this together. We must face the challenges of today and all future challenges of tomorrow...together.'
Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mike Gilday added to the Florida Times-Union: 'As individuals, as Sailors, and as a Navy, we cannot tolerate racism of any kind. We must actively speak out against it. And when it rears its ugly head, we must take decisive action.'
Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mike Gilday added to the Florida Times-Union : 'As individuals, as Sailors, and as a Navy, we cannot tolerate racism of any kind'
Mr. Bethmann was also a member of the Atlantic Beach Country Club but his membership was rescinded in response to the video.
'Be assured we find these comments extremely offensive, inflammatory and antithetical to what this Club stands for and represents,' Atlantic Beach Country Club said in a statement. 'As such, we have voted today to immediately expel this member and his family from the Club.'
The club said its board of directors 'condemn any racist, bigoted and demeaning behavior' and is committed to protecting 'an inclusionary staff and membership where respect and dignity are openly represented.'
The couple said they are embarrassed, sorry and committed to becoming better people.
'There are no words that can appropriately express how mortified and apologetic my wife and I are about the insensitive things we said that were captured on social media,' the family said in a statement. 'There is never a time when it is appropriate to use derogatory terms when speaking about our fellow man. I know that an apology from us rings hollow on many ears in our community, especially in the current environment. We intend on using this experience as an opportunity to grow, listen, learn, and reflect.
'We are deeply sorry for the impact our actions have had on the Naval Academy, my fellow servicemen and women, our former colleagues, friends, family, and the community as a whole. We are committed to educating ourselves more on the racial inequalities in this country and being better people.'
A spokesperson for the couple said this would be the only statement released by the Bethmann family.
The Atlantic Beach Country Club voted to immediately expel Mr. Bethmann and his family
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