Wednesday, December 1, 2010
My New Favorite Person: Clifford Alexander
I was watching The Rachel Maddow Show tonight. I actually don't watch it much. Although I basically agree with everything she has to say I'm not wild about the emphatic, exasperated way she tries to convince the viewer how crazy the other side is. Guess what Rachel... we already know they are crazy. That's why we're watching you. Anyway, she had former Secretary Of The Army, Clifford Alexander on her program discussing the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell." Alexander was the first African American to head the Army, rising to the position in 1977 under President Carter. The point was made that in the 1950s 4 out of 5 servicemen were against integrating black and white soldiers and Eisenhower basically said, "deal with it" and integrated forces. Which is exactly what Obama could do right now if he wasn't so hellbent on finding a way to be bipartisan when the other side has NO desire to work with him. Alexander's been an outspoken advocate of repealing DADT and the way he articulated his point of view was wonderful. He explained how condescending it is that we are studying this topic to death. He made the point that we have a president that is in favor of repealing the measure. That we have a majority of Americans who want it repealed. That we have a majority of service people that want it repealed. So why do we need a study? To tell people who serve their country that their sexual orientation trumps their skills and to blantantly treat people in such an unethical manner is "anti American." That "ethically sound" people just know it's the right thing to do. And that all people who are standing against this are doing is exposing their biases.
Someday... who knows how long from now, the people that have stood up for inequality, for prejudice, for preventing people from having their basic human rights are going to be looked at as the homophobic bullies and small minded morons that they are. Just as those who openly fought against women's rights, racial equality, and interracial marriage before them are now viewed.
The irony in all this is that there are gays and lesbians that WANT to serve their country. They are willing to give their lives for a country that doesn't look at them as equal. A country that treats them as second class citizens. These are the true heroes. People like John McCain and the rest of his ignorant Republican cronies, that want to make this more about giving President Obama and apparent "win" (which this wouldn't be, since Obama has done nothing he promised gays and lesbians he would do when he ran for office), should be ashamed of themselves.
