Higher education hypocrisy

Why is it when an incoming Boston University professor by the name of Grundy tweets, "white masculinity is THE problem for america’s (sic) colleges" gets to retain the position for which she was hired?

Even though the university president issued a statement supposedly condemning the language, Grundy is still being hired.

If the situation involved a white professor negatively commenting upon black Americans, it most assured that he/she would need to find employment elsewhere.

Inflammatory, racist commentary carries responsibilities for those uttering it. Grundy's reported comments fail to grasp the seriousness of her transgression or take responsibility for them. “I regret that my personal passion about issues surrounding these events led me to speak about them indelicately," Grundy said. "I deprived them of the nuance and complexity that such subjects always deserve."

Boston University in this case displays the growing higher education hypocrisy plaguing the nation.

Walking the Wall

Before taking office, every elected and appointed federal official should be made to walk the length of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC.

They should be made to slowly walk along the Wall, looking at the engraved names, and thinking about the human cost of war.  Every member of Congress, every cabinet member, the Vice President, the President, and all the appointed officials requiring senate confirmation should be made to walk the Wall.

From the Wall, they should be transported to Arlington National Cemetery and made to walk the headstones.

Require the so-called leaders of our nation to reflect on the impacts of their comments, debates, votes, and decisions that send the members of our Armed Forces into combat.

   

Disconnect between military and society

The flap about the Under Armour t-shirt (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/05/18/under-armour-sorry-iwo-jima-band--ballers-military/27505837/) is very revealing about the disconnect between the military and general society.

Several aspects of this story are very troubling.  First is that the individual who thought of the design failed to understand the importance and sanctity of any design emulating the rising of the flag on Iwo Jima by Marines during World War II.  (Perhaps we can lay blame on public schooling for this abject ignorance.)  Second is that the "artist's" supervisor failed to halt the process, displaying ignorance of the military honor, service, and sacrifice conveyed by the iconic photo, and also ascribed to any representation of it.  grasp the similar significance.  Third is that production managers failed to grasp the significance.  Finally is that we can conclude the company does not hire veterans, because an average veteran would have spoken up about the inappropriateness of the design.  Alternatively, perhaps the company does hire veterans and did not listen when concerns were voiced.

In this instance the disconnect was apparent in the actions of Under Armour who, by the way, goes out of its way to sell military logo merchandise at military bases.  If a major company with military business dealings makes such a drastic mistake, it communicates  that society at large is woefully disconnected from its military, from the men and women who volunteer to serve and go in harm's way.  

Since only one-half of one percent of our nation serves in uniform, it is distressing that incidents such as this happen all too frequently.    

The aging Vietnam veterans

Currently several hundred patriots are in the midst of traveling by motorcycle from California to Washington, DC.  They are participating in the 27th Run for the Wall, riding in honor of all American POWs and MIA: riding for those who can't.  They will arrive in Washington to join the Rolling Thunder procession over Memorial Day weekend.

The overwhelming majority of the participants are Vietnam veterans.  A generation of veterans that is aging.

They ride as the mistreated, maltreated, ignored, and aging warriors from a war decades past.  Justifiably angry and bitter at the treatment received from the nation they served, coming together for Run for the Wall is one way they seek healing.  The peer-to-peer camaraderie of support given and gotten.  A healing of sorts, which begins by greeting one another.

The most often overheard greeting was, "Welcome home, brother."  Giving each other a symbolic greeting that their fellow citizens failed to provide.  This steadily diminishing portion of our national population remembers and honors the POWs and MIA from their war.  They remember the more than 58,300 fallen.  

They didn't get the welcome home from their battlefields that our current warriors have received, as they came back from Afghanistan and Iraq.  In fact, it was the Vietnam generation leading the way in making damned sure our young warriors were properly greeted.

But the Vietnam generation is aging and death is taking its toll.  As these vets pass away, so does the strong patriotism they provide.  Unashamed of their love of country, each morning before the Run for the Wall begins, these noble men stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  They stand and salute during the playing of the National Anthem.  They ride with flags mounted on their motorcycles.  They wear American flag patches on their leather vests.  As they ride across the country, their infectious patriotism brings out the best in the nation.  People waving flags on freeway overpasses as the riders rumble by.  Small towns turning out to provide a donated meal.  Mayors and local beauty princesses line up and shake their hands.  Service organizations stand holding American flags to welcome them to town.  Pastors lead bowed heads in prayer.  Maybe parts of the country are working to atone for the abysmal treatment from decades earlier.  The vets are both honored and humbled.  

They also remain resolute in their brotherhood, even as their numbers get smaller day-by-day.  With less than one-half of one percent of the nation serving in the military today, these vets are becoming an even tighter brotherhood, if such a thing is possible.  Instant acceptance awaits the veteran, from whatever generation.  Active duty members are celebrated, though decades younger.  Current war heroes and wounded warriors are supported.  The Vietnam veterans make sure the younger warriors know their service and sacrifice are recognized and appreciated by those who have gone before them.

Sadly, as the Vietnam generation ages, a critical part of our nation loses a bit of soul.

  

The day has arrived

After months of planning, the day has arrived and departure time is close.  The Harley is prepped, gear staged, and soon I'll be on the road to Ontario to join up with Run for the Wall 2015 (RFTW2015).

The main goals are:

• Finish research for the article on RFTW, including Interviewing younger (post Vietnam era) veterans
• Experience RFTW
• Participate in the first leg of the ride on the southern route

Though completing considerable research, including talking to the founder and several of those leading the mission, what will be encountered in somewhat unknown.  Reading the logistics guidance was impressive, though I'd expect nothing less than detailed planning from military veterans.  Will I encounter other folks I know, but haven't seen for a long time?  What new friends will I make?  What emotions will arise?  What humor and camaraderie will jump out?  Will it whet my taste for a subsequent "all the way" undertaking   What personal stories will be the most impressive?

Like with all new adventures, military experience in planning and adaptation of the planning are crucial.  Plan in detail, knowing that when the first shot is fired, the plan must be adapted.  One modification has already occurred, as a fellow Marine with whom I served from 1990-1992 called to explain he has to cancel from his planned participation.  An unexpected emergency arose and couldn't be pushed back.  So now I have a spare rack in a room in Phoenix on 13 May, so I'll work with the organizers to see if someone needs a rack for the night.

Well, the planning has been completed and soon it will be time to cross the line of departure.

Urraahh!
  

What are you doing today, this week, this month, and next month?

As the subject line reads, what are you doing for the next several weeks?  

Will it be physically demanding?  Will it be grueling?  Will it be repetitive?  Will it be outdoors?  Will it be undertaken with five comrades?  Will it involve self sacrifice?  Will it require utmost determination?

For the vast majority of us, myself included,the answers will indicate a rather comfortable few weeks.  Perhaps monotonous routines at work.  Maybe some quality time with family.  Or maybe just the routine that defines our lives.  Suffice it to say, for six individuals, these weeks will be anything but routine.

For six veterans (Anne Dios – Army; Anthony Jaramillo – Army; Sharon Smith – Air Force; Eric Sorensen – Army; Joshua Staggs – Army; and Stephen Thomas – Marine Corps) anything but routine is defined as hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, all 2.650 miles of it.  Mexico to Canada.  They are "walking off the war" as members of the Warrior Hike Program.  (Look up Walking Off the War on the Internet to learn its history.)

As the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan depart national consciousness, so will the men and women of our military.  Volunteers all, they are seeing the active duty force precipitously shrunk, weapons systems costs explode, benefits and pay eroded, retirement threatened, health care manipulated for political purposes, and training reduced.  Concurrently, unlike what some elected officials say, danger in the world is increasing.  Sadly, the service and sacrifice of these six vets are being taken for granted by those who haven't the faintest clue as to what they mean.

Veterans under the age of 35 make up less than one-half of one percent of our nation.  I can't think of another minority group that is this small.

Sadly, only other veterans and their families fully recognize and appreciate what service and sacrifice mean.  As these six vets continue their hike, I wish it were possible for fellow citizens to comprehend what it means to put on the uniform of a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine.  Sadly, that won't be the case. 

As they trek along, what will you be doing?