Retired Navy captain apologizes after livestreaming racial slurs on Facebook
A retired US Navy captain has resigned from the US Naval Academy Alumni Association after he was heard uttering racial slurs during a conversation with his wife that he accidentally livestreamed on Facebook, according to a report.
Scott Bethmann and his wife, Nancy, apparently were discussing the Black Lives Matter movement while watching TV, when the couple began using derogatory language and Bethmann mentioned the N-word, News4Jax reported.
He and his wife appear to be discussing how some major firms have issued statements that denounce racism, according to the news outlet, which obtained a copy of the recording.
“We support. We support. Every single company has put their word out,” Bethmann is heard saying, News4Jax reported. “I’ve gotten an email about how, we’re supporting and we need to fix this problem. F— you.”
He also says: “The white m—-f—-s can’t say anything. That’s the point we’re making here, Nancy.”
Bethmann’s wife is heard saying: “F—– Asians from China who love to steal all of our intellectual property,” according to the outlet.
The 30-minute-long video apparently cuts out when Bethmann begins reading comments on his phone.
“Somehow I clicked onto some live event,” he says. “What are they talking about?”
Bethmann’s Facebook page was removed Saturday.
A family spokesman has released a statement saying: “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.
“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,” Bethmann continues.
“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.”
The Jacksonville chapter of the Naval Academy Alumni Association confirmed that Bethmann, who served as the chapter treasurer and national trustee, has stepped down.
“The nature of those comments are not consistent with our volunteer leadership mission at our Jacksonville Chapter of the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, the national Alumni Association, and does not represent the leadership values of our Naval Academy or the US Navy,” the alumni association said in a Facebook post.
“To echo the words of Superintendent, Vice Adm. Sean S Buck, honor, courage, and commitment, and the mission of the United States Naval Academy. Nowhere is discrimination tolerated in any of those values,” it added.