By Kate Feldman, New York Daily News
A retired US Navy captain used the N-word and peddled racist stereotypes during a conversation with his wife that was accidentally livestreamed on Facebook.
Scott Bethmann and his wife, Nancy, were recorded while watching TV and discussing “how some large companies are putting out statements that denounce racism,” WJXT reported.
“We support. We support. Every single company has put their word out,” Bethmann says in the video, according to the station. “I’ve gotten an email about how, we’re supporting and we need to fix this problem. F–k you.
“The white motherf–kers can’t say anything. That’s the point we’re making here, Nancy.”
Nancy also reportedly talked about “f–king Asians from China who love to steal all of our intellectual property.”
Bethmann only realized his phone had been recording when he saw the comments, according to WJXT.
Livestreaming on Facebook from the phone app requires permission for the social networking site to access both camera and microphone.
Bethmann’s Facebook page has since been deleted.
“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,” Bethmann said in a statement to WJXT.
“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.”
The Jacksonville chapter of the Naval Academy Alumni Association also confirmed that Bethmann has resigned from its board and his trustee position.
“Instilled in all midshipmen and graduates are the values of honor, courage, and commitment. Honor for yourself, for your country, and most importantly, honor others. Courage. Courage to do what is right, what is fair, and what is just. Commitment. Commit yourself to a higher standard. To value others. And to support and defend the Constitution and what it represents,” the group said on Facebook.
“This has been and always will be what the United States Naval Academy stands for, trains for, and represents. We do not tolerate those that do not represent these values.”
The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees’ chairman, retired Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, said Bethmann’s comments “do not represent the mission and values of the Alumni Association, the Naval Academy or the U.S. Navy.”
This article originally appeared in New York Daily News.
