Tabitha Duncan/SnapchatA woman from Missouri has been kicked out of the Air Force Reserve after taking part in a racist video.
Tabitha Duncan was a recent Air Force Reserve recruit, but has now been released from her duties after the footage went viral, days after she enlisted.
20-year-old Duncan has also been fired from her day job at the Social Bar & Grill in St. Louis.
@usairforce I'm sorry, Tabitha Duncan's comments aren't insensitive, they're disgusting and hurtful. It's one thing to believe racist populate the military, it's another thing to know and have proof. Her words aren't a mistake, that's who she is.
— David DeLoatch (@DavidDeLoatch9) June 12, 2018
The night-time footage has since been deleted from Facebook and shows Duncan drinking beer in a pickup truck along a dirt road with some unnamed companions, the New York Post reports.
In the video, an off-camera male voice can be heard asking Duncan:
So we going n***** hunting today or what?
The racist slur is repeated by another companion in a baseball hat, and the original speaker can be heard repeating the vile question.
It was at this point Duncan made the following response:
You get them n******.
The Air Force Reserve have now released the following statement in regards to the incident:
We have been made aware of a video online of an alleged reserve Airman who made racially insensitive comments. We are looking into the matter and we appreciate this being brought to our attention.
The U.S. Air Force values diversity and inclusion; our Airmen come together to produce an incredible team that can accomplish any mission and overcome any challenge.
We believe that our greatest asset is our diverse, innovative and technically-savvy workforce. Our Airmen come from all backgrounds and remarks such as these do not fall in line with our culture.
We take incidents like this very seriously and action will be taken upon further investigation as necessary.
One notable thing. Tabitha Duncan said she is sorry, she DID NOT KNOW she was being recorded. Yeah, the issue is the recording. I see.
— Kish (@uxkish) June 17, 2018
#Tabbie Tabitha Duncan, you act like a racist tho.
I served four years in the USAF. I’m glad they rejected you before you had an opportunity to serve.
Too many people say racist stuff then apologize.
It’s become a disgusting pattern.
I’m so tired of it. Tired of saying I’m tired.— Yusef (@YusefforPeace) June 17, 2018
Presenting the I Have Black Friends™️ apology. #TabithaDuncan pic.twitter.com/IQTImuolCh
— Whyola Davis ?????? (@yyz_one) June 12, 2018
The Social Bar and Grill have also released the following statement to River Front Times:
Social Bar & Grill and its owners have recently become aware of a vile, disgusting, and offensive video made by one of its employees.
Upon learning of this, Social Bar & Grill immediately terminated this employee as soon as they could reach her!
The incendiary comments made by this employee absolutely does NOT represent the views, opinions, and policies of Social Bar & Grill and its owners.
Nor will they be tolerated in any fashion. Social Bar & Grill and its owners continue to encourage and seek diversity in its restaurant.
""I was intoxicated," she said. "I have black friends, I have black people in my family. I didn't mean it. I didn't know that I was being [recorded]." Yeah, the part she regrets is being recorded. Tabitha Duncan
— Jim "Boil that cabbage down" Yoakum (@thearchivest) June 16, 2018
The Air Force reserve booted #TabithaDuncan she can’t join the military and she lost her job. See kids, this is what being a racist asshole gets you. #SheGawnLearnToday
— Nina Simone Mosley (@DTP1908) June 16, 2018
Speaking with The New York Daily News, Duncan said:
I was underage drinking, and I said something stupid.
She added:
I was intoxicated, I have black friends, I have black people in my family. I didn’t mean it. I didn’t know that I was being [recorded].
I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt anybody, I was drunk. I need to seek help.
Following the shocking incident, Duncan shared a quotation on her personal Facebook page about making mistakes; apparently in relation to her racist comments.
Thank you @AirForceReserve for doing what needed to be done. We have enough hatred in this world. We fight unified during times of war no matter the color of our skin. The decision to remove her from the Air Force was for the best. #tabithaduncan
— misstlacoy (@misstlacoy) June 16, 2018
Tabitha Duncan, 20 of Jefferson County, Missouri who lost her job as waitress and kicked out of the Air Force reserves, said she was just drunk & isn’t racist for saying she was going N——— hunting with her racist friends. Yea, just like the lynchers weren’t racist!
— FD Ra (@OurOwnGarden) June 16, 2018
And she also added: I have black family members..
*I guess that's her way of adding a 'Cherry On Top' to her bullshit sundae.. #TabithaDuncan— ♥ Young Ce! ♥ (@cece_hernadez) June 16, 2018
Well done to the Air Force Reserve Command and to the Social Bar & Grill for refusing to tolerate this incident of racism.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.