Truman “did the right thing, and so should we”
A letter to the editor in today’s edition of The Washington Post (“Why Ask Military Spouses About ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?’” by Jay Fisette) offers a unique perspective on the current “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
survey of military spouses being conducted by the Pentagon. The letter draws a striking parallel between President Truman’s desegregation of the military and today’s fight to ensure open service, highlighting the enduring double standard that DADT imposes on service members because of their sexual orientation.
Read the full text of the letter below or click here.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010; A16
Why ask military spouses about "don't ask, don't tell"?
I got angry reading the Aug. 24 news story "Pentagon surveys military spouses on 'don't ask, don't tell.' " I was reminded that the Pentagon simply meant to collect information to better educate troops and family members when the unjust ban is lifted. So why was I still so infuriated reading the survey questions?
As a test, I replaced the words "gay and lesbian" with "black and Latino." "If a black or Latino Service member lived in your neighborhood . . . would you stay on-base or would you try to move out?" And, "Would the attendance of a black or Latino Service member . . . affect how often you attend these types of military social events?"
These questions would never be asked because they serve to legitimize ignorance and prejudice. If I asked these questions -- for any reason -- in the discharge of my responsibilities as chairman of the Arlington County Board, I would rightly be rebuked.
Did Harry Truman ask similar questions as he allowed black men to serve equally in the U.S. military? No, he simply did the right thing, and so should we.
Jay Fisette, Arlington
08-31-10 By Paul DeMiglio, Senior Communications Manager |
3 Comments
Comments for this entry are closed.Bill on August 31, 2010 at 09.02 pm
Lots of people in Congress feared Truman. I don’t think anybody in Congress, Republican or Democrat, fears Obama. There are no consequences to not doing what he wants. I believe he really does want DADT ended, but what is he doing right now? He must get on the phone with selected Senators and give some weak arms some very hard twists! It is a paradox that by not being tougher on this and even more important issues, his fellow Democrats are set up to fail big in November.
Dino in Washington, DC on August 31, 2010 at 02.16 pm
Let us not forget that President Harry Truman’s eldest grandson Clifton Truman Daniels called for the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Law to be repealed earlier this year. He said that his famous grandfather would be in favor of rescinding the law completely.
Rick in Columbus on August 31, 2010 at 01.52 pm
I’ve been saying here for a while that Obama should get the guts Truman had when he signed an order integrating blacks into the military. That would render the Pentagon’s surveys impotent and light a fire under congress to repeal DADT! Sign the petition to save millions in tax dollars by saving gay military members their jobs! http://www.change.org/petitions/view/president_obama_suspend_further_dadt_military_separations_now