Two U.S. Marines stationed near San Diego are under fire after wearing blackface and making a video where one of them says “Hello monkey. However, one of them claims it’s all a misunderstanding. One of the men in the video has been identified as Zach Highfield. Black Twitter has spread the video; it’s been seen more than a million times. Many social media users are asking that the Marines kick the two out of the Corp.
According to the Huffington Post, Highfield did an interview with KPBS-TV and claimed that he and the other Marine were wearing charcoal sheet masks used to clean pores. “It looks a lot worse that it is,” Highfield said. He admitted, however, that he “made a mistake.” Local church pastor Bishop Cornelius Bowser responded: “It seems as though, whether it’s military or someone in the community or working for a company, they should have learned by now that this is unacceptable. We pay our tax dollars for them to protect and serve our country, and this is not it, right there, that kind of display, that kind of character should not be allowed.”
A spokesperson for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, to which the two Marines belong, told local station KNSD that USMC officials are aware of the post and are investigating the incident “to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the content.” 1st Lt. Fredrick D. Walker, a spokesman for the aviation unit, released the following statement: “3rd MAW takes all allegations of discriminatory behavior very seriously as they stand in stark contrast of our core values of honor, courage and commitment and do not reflect the discipline and professionalism of the Marines and Sailors of 3rd MAW.”
