Skeptics question VA promise to increase diversity in senior management
May 6
Three statues portraying a wounded soldier being helped to care stand on the grounds of the Minneapolis VA Hospital in June 2014. (Jim Mone/AP)
Veterans
Affairs officials are promising more focused initiatives to improve minority representation in department leadership positions, but outside advocates remain skeptical that the efforts can work.
“To be honest, it’s rather difficult to fully invest in processes that have existed for some time and expect them to yield different results,” said Victor LaGroon, director of the Black Veterans Empowerment Council, said during a congressional hearing Thursday. “I think we’re absolutely right when we say that we need to put our foot on the gas and expect more and push further.”