An Open Letter to General Powell
Dear General Powell,
Sunday, Oct. 19, on "Meet the Press" you described a candidate who was reaching out in a "more diverse and inclusive way across our society," which needs "new leadership and a new image."
You urged inclusiveness, and said you were concerned about the increasing "narrowness" that you were seeing in America.
You were "troubled" by suggestions that "you know, Mr. Obama is a Muslim. Well, he's not," you said, "but what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim? The answer is no. Is there something wrong with a seven-year-old Muslim kid dreaming he could be president of the United States?"
Let me phrase the question a little differently. I want to ask you, General Powell, if there is something wrong with a gay kid - and some kids realize they are gay as early as seven - dreaming he or she could one day be a soldier in the Army of the United States? You mentioned the Muslim soldier, only twenty years old, killed in Iraq and buried in Arlington under the sign of Islam. There are gay men and women buried in Arlington, too, General, even though their sexual orientation has never been acknowledged by the Pentagon.
You are obviously a fair-minded person. You have known discrimination yourself. You certainly see the unfairness of laws that discriminate against a person on the basis of skin color or religion. Is it unfair to discriminate on those bases but fair to discriminate because one person's sexual orientation is different from another's - especially now that scientists are finding more and more evidence that it is as genetically based as skin color?
I think you know that the answer to that question, General Powell, is no. But under current law, which in 1993 you supported and advanced, lesbians and gays are discriminated against by that law known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." So a young man or woman is not allowed to dream of one day fighting for this country if that person is openly gay or lesbian.
It doesn't make any difference if a kid is Muslim. Why should it make a difference if a kid is gay?
You noted that the next president must be "a transformational figure." You could be a transformational figure, too, General Powell. You have tremendous prestige and you speak with great authority, especially on military issues. If you were to come out publicly and declare that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" should be re-examined and in all likelihood be repealed, do you realize what a difference that would make to thousands of lesbians and gays now serving in the military, to those who would like to serve but are deterred by the law, and to the millions of gay and lesbian citizens in the country at large?
You said that Senator Obama was a candidate who was reaching out in a "more diverse and inclusive way across our society" and offering a "calm, patient, intellectual, steady approach" to the problems we face.
I fondly hope, General, that you might do the same, reach out to include gays and lesbians now serving in our military and encouraging those who are qualified and wish to serve to sign up.
Do you realize what a difference you could make?
10-20-08 By Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN Executive Director |
14 Comments
Comments for this entry are closed.Garth in South Florida on October 27, 2008 at 09.58 am
Your letter to Gen. Powell conveys the SLDN mission and dedication to ending discrimination. My personal story could stimulate the message. On 10/12/2002 I was taken in a mute, malicious and false arrest by a National Park Ranger and subordinate USGC (suspected gay). At an impromptu field station, the senior Ranger advocated to the USCG (and other officers present) that gays are preferred fodder to spread AIDS to “black thugs” in Miami-Dade Police detention; the rest is history. As a Citadel graduate, public servant and gay white male, I now know that few care of such practices (said common from local legal counsel). I’m sure DADT and other veiled policies that promote hatred in our social fabric are a root cause for such judicial and police malfeasance in our country.
John in West Palm Beach, Fl on October 23, 2008 at 09.59 pm
Great letter that makes cogent points. But I think the letter, and the thoughful comments that follow miss the point. Powell’s endorsement of Obama should be seen as nothing more than his way, albeit eloquently, to get back at the Republican administration and the Republican party for putting him on the front line of a major lie regarding weapons of mass destruction. To a career soldier of his calibre this was a major assault on his credibility and an embarassment to him personally, hence he’s no longer serving this administration. As for DADT we have three kinds of oppostion; the religious right, those that just plain go “ick” whenever they think of anyone being attracted to the same sex, and those that could care less. I don’t know which of these three Powell is in but don’t expect him to be persuaded by the comparisons for inclusion that you put forward in your letter. Other countries have no problems with gays in the military and he’s aware of this. My feeling is that the subject sits about as well in his stomach as the idea of having another Republican president. As a gay man I’d love to be wrong on this.
’
Jim in Alexandria, VA on October 23, 2008 at 08.11 pm
General Powell,
You have led our troops and been part of our country’s civilian leadership. Will you join in to help lead a civil rights charge?
Please consider if you would have supported your son or daughter joining the military. Would you have hesitated because they are black? What if they were gay? Would you have supported them in joining knowing that, but knowing that they were also just as capable of flying that aircraft, running that tank crew, conning that ship, or leading the platoon?
Please consider those points and realize that you can help in the repeal of DADT and set the record straight on gays and lesbians capably serving in any of the Nation’s five military services.
Milly Frederick on October 23, 2008 at 07.59 pm
On graduating from Mills College, my lesbian daughter considered entering the military and I explained to her that it was the most discriminatory organization. Can you help change it, General? We would appreciate your support.
Dan Jones in Sonoma, Ca on October 23, 2008 at 07.24 pm
The comfort level in confined quarters excuse is still about prejudice. If people overcome their prejudices, it wouldn’t’ be a problem. I realize they were taught early on and reinforced by some religious and elected leaders, but it is still prejudice and shouldn’t be an excuse for denying the promise of equal treatment under the law for all Americans. Continuing the ban only continues to teach prejudice and inflict emotional harm on a minority population for no rational reason and it has to stop. And while I realize it is difficult to overcome your prejudice, you don’t have to give them up to realize our government guarantees the same rights and freedoms to everyone and no one should be singled out for discrimination. End DADT yesterday.
Pamela Michaels on October 23, 2008 at 07.16 pm
No mre discrimination in the armed forces.
Susan Chandler in Vero Beach, FL on October 23, 2008 at 06.31 pm
It is my understanding that a significant number of translators were drummed out of service for their sexual orientation after the illegal Iraqi invasion, denying our troops the increased safety that an ability to communicate ensures. No one will ever convince me that “don’t ask” is constitutional; let alone any way to run a war. Anyone willing to serve should be allowed to serve; dismissing those with irreplaceable talents and skills may have cost many lives.
Rev. Theresa Schmoker in Richland, Wa. on October 23, 2008 at 06.14 pm
I was so proud of your stance against the negative garbage being thrown at Senator Obama. Shame on McCain and side kick. The ignorance is so full of anger that he should be ashamed. I am glad, given the fact that I feel l.ike you would have made a different decision over Iraq, if you had known the truth. What is sad, is that the night we heard Bush had taken the White House,
I predicted all the horrible things that he would do. Unfortunately, I did not want to be right. Yet he and Cheney and some of their closest buddies conspired to ruin this country, taking us into a war without proving their assertions, and no real military plan. If only we would learn that speding money to build a country is far better than destroying and then paying to rebuild. We would not be in this financial disaster. I am appauled thast in less than one week, my husbands 401 K lost $100.00 of retirement. 31 years of working and saving, while still giving to those in need, I fear we will never have the time to retire and enjoy the friut of our labor. It is especially difficult, knowing that my life was given to minister to the disenfranchized, without little to no pay giving my time and a good portion of his income, to do the right thing. We took in children over these 32 years, too many to name, but never asked for a dime. I was given the opportunity to create ministries to help those less fortunate, and our reward was knowing that we did the right thing. The only thing we asked was to retire earlier to enjoy our time, and hnow that won’t happen. Not having lost $80,000 last year and $100,000. last month! You are a man of honor and it is a blessing that you are using your voice to show the people of this country what integrity looks like. Thank you and God Bless you and your lvoed ones.
Barbara Kelly on October 23, 2008 at 06.02 pm
Gays and lesbians have made great progress in gaining rightful equal rights in all parts of society. Surely, being willing to give one’s life for our country earns them the right to be treated without discrimination in the armed services!
Jeremy Johnson in Washington, D.C. on October 23, 2008 at 04.34 pm
This is an outstanding piece that, under most circumstances, would make a fantastic dent in persuading an open-minded person to change their mind about supporting DADT.
While I have a great deal of respect for Gen. Powell’s integrity (proven when he stepped down from the Bush administration voluntarily), he has made it clear on more than one occasion that his view on DADT isn’t one of civil rights, but of the comfort level and intimacy issues among uniformed members in confined quarters.
It’s a classic argument and one that is difficult to overcome because frankly, you can not argue logic where emotions are concerned.
I hope he reads this and at least weighs it before turning the page to the next article. He is a smart man, but sadly, I believe he will only continue to support DADT based on fear of suppressed homophobia within military ranks exploding if it is repealed.
Armando A. Garcia in Paramount, CA on October 23, 2008 at 04.28 pm
Thank you, Ms. Sarvis for the eloquent and thought-provoking letter to Gen. Powell. This letter doesn’t come at a more opportune time than Gen. Powell’s recent television interview with Meet the Press. It seems to me that Gen. Powell has contradicted himself and hope you have helped him open his eyes regarding LGBT people in uniform AND change his mind in the future to help repeal DADT. Thank you again for your letter and to the entire SLDN staff who have contributed tireless hours to help end discrimination for gays in the military.
Dan Jones in Sonoma, Ca on October 23, 2008 at 04.12 pm
Gay people have been accepted to varying degrees at different times and places and despite what some would have you to believe, have often been a driving force behind the advancement of civilization, not the cause of it’s decline.
The constitution was designed to protect the rights of the minority from the tyranny of the majority. The law of the land should guarantee the same freedoms and rights to everyone. Equal protection under the law is the foundation of American Society. Please help America live up to the promise of liberty and justice for all by standing against discrimination.
Holly in Houston TX on October 23, 2008 at 04.08 pm
Colin Powell is highly respected and his endorsement of repealing DADT will go a long way.
keith wall in mexico on October 23, 2008 at 03.41 pm
I am the first to comment??? Let me say that this is a most excellent letter, very well-argued in terms of Gen. Powell’s own recently expressed words on the fairness issue. If Gen. Powell considers his misinformed, misdirected support of the preemptive attack on Iraq as a blot on his record—and he does, & properly so—his part in creating the destructive, embarrassing, and shameful DADT policy is another one. His brave endorsement of Obama goes some way towards mitigating his disgraceful behavior with respect to rallying for the Iraq War. It would be equally redemptive if he would now disavow DADT and speak out for a military policy based on our Constitution rather than the false righteousness and paranoia of military leaders who resist change just because they can.
KW