Immediate past Commandant Robert Neller wrote “A Letter To America” on his Linked-in page, and the website Task and Purpose, which deals with military matters, posted a story about it titled Former Marine commandant on nationwide protests: 'The time for being silent has passed'
after confirming the letter’s authenticity.
Both the story and the letter itself are well worth reading, which is why I have posted links to both.
Please note: this letter is somewhat different than what we have read from General Mattis and Admiral Mullen in the past few days. It is more wide-ranging in some ways. Some might want to dismiss it because of that. I suggest that you don’t.
Let me simply post a few selections from the letter to give you a sense of it. Please continue below the fold to read those selections, if you have not already read both the story and the letter itself.
After an extensive introduction, beginning with a quote from Longfellow, Nellen writes
So, what do we do now? …. Continue as we have like Longfellow’s two ships in the night? Wait for the rage to pass, as eventually it will, and then go back to whatever normal is in our COVID world of today? Do we as white Americans just take comfort in our own view that “I am not a racist and I raised my children to judge people by the color of their heart and character and not the color of their skin, their religion or their sexual preference? " In other words, like most Americans of all races/ethnicity, remain supportive of the intent of the demonstrations, but also remain publicly, silent taking comfort in our own actions to be a man or woman of virtue, equality and character and hope and pray that over time things will get better?
I am sure that today this is not enough.
The time for being silent has passed, at least for me.
after more material to set up generally what he wants to address, he then writes
That is the hardest part. We will hear many words about improving policing, on maintaining law and order, about being more empathetic to our fellow citizens. Just as we have before. And I am not naïve enough to think that these words will change something that is deeply rooted in our culture which started the day the first African slave was brought to what we know as America. We have been dealing with the race issue for centuries. We have had a national civil war, amendments to our Constitution, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, integration of our military and the great civil rights struggle lead by Dr. King. We don’t even know our history so if we don’t know where we have been how do we know where we are going? But here we are …. a Nation afraid of each other and unable to address directly and effectively the racial views that cut across, all groups, all ages and all sides of the discussion.
He then offers suggestions to a variety of groups. I cannot quote all of that. But consider this:
To the racists in America. For the record, things will not go backwards in this country. America is great but because we move forward and get better… socially, economically, culturally, educationally …. In all ways. We are not going back to the “way it was.” I accept that there is likely nothing that I can say to change your views but understand that this a Nation of laws and your views are not in compliance with same. You are on the wrong side of history. I pity you.
and then the very next paragraph:
To our National leaders, both politically and culturally. Continue to speak out for justice and fairness. At the same time work to address the conditions of any group in the Country who is disadvantaged by any reason. You cannot make everyone in the Country succeed but we must create opportunities for success not conditions for failure. Life is hard and all Americans expect to work hard … but don’t make it harder than it is.
By now you may have some sense of how important — and thorough — I believe this letter to be.
It is illustrative of something that perhaps you may have already grasped from other recent statements: most of our top military leadership, regardless of their human flaws and possible blind spots on some issues, are totally dedicated to the idea and ideals of an America that includes everyone. After all, we now have all races and mixed races, all religions, men and women, straights and gays — all serving with honor and distinction, all rising through the various ranks and levels of command.
And now you are ready to read the final paragraph of this magnificent letter by Gen. Neller. with which I will end:
I could go on and address social media, the media, and those on the far left and the far right. For the latter two, there is sadly likely nothing I can say to make them moderate their views. But each are a small minority but a vocal one. We who are the majority of all races, ethnicities and genders must stand up for what is right and reasonable. Protecting right of free speech and peaceful demonstration and not tolerating the destruction of lives and property. We know what happened in Minnesota to George Floyd was not right. He deserved better. And his death like those of too many others needs to count for something. We are better than this. Stand up for what is right. We can no longer be ships in the night and just move on. Love and protect your neighbor. Stay safe.