I added the comics in this discussion at the bottom since my actual printed essay will look entirely different.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was a large debate over the prejudices in America’s history. In both this cartoon by Jill Parker and the second cartoon by Steve Greenberg. Both comics deal with a very serious issue of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal that happened recently. While, for the most part, Americans don’t think about this policy since it doesn’t affect the civilian population, this policy has in the past and up until recently affected our soldiers on many levels. Both artists send the same message that soldiers really didn’t care about the policy in the first place. That to them, the most important factor was that they are a soldier first before everything. They have an important job that cannot be interfered with petty things.
In the first cartoon, by Jill Parker, you have a decorated soldier stating that after everything was said, all the changes made, that they can finally be who they want to be, a soldier. It’s possible that this cartoon soldier is also saying that because the policy was repealed, he no longer has to worry about hiding his sexuality from his superiors. That now, he can focus on being the soldier he wants to be. Maybe hiding was causing him to not “Be all that you can be". It’s quiet possible this is the effect that many soldiers are having. So by repealing the policy, they can finally focus on the more important things. With the smile on the soldier’s face, he is relieved and happy with it. The soldier’s words also show pride. He’s proud of what he does. He’s proud that his country, the country he is serving is moving beyond basic prejudices albeit slowly.
The second cartoon, by Steve Greenberg reflects the message of the first one by showing us two coffins draped with the American flag. It goes on to show us that neither person cared about the others sexuality even to the end of their lives. This is a powerful image in and of itself. The one soldier shows that he didn’t ask. He felt that it did not matter about a persons sexuality as long as they stand shoulder to shoulder. The other shows that he “Didn’t Tell” because he felt that he doesn’t need to. He’s performing his duty all the way to the end.
One more aspect of this image is that the American flag is showed prominently by taking up a large section of the comic. This represents a few things. It shows that our country is again, moving beyond simple prejudices and seeing everyone as equal regardless of race, sex, or preferences. They are even in both their countries and their own eyes. Both coffins are side by side. They stood shoulder to shoulder together in life and now in death. I was asked about the encroaching shadows but actually, when I see them now, I prefer and believe that they are in fact, receding. This repeal is brightening our view on the subject. And these two in the image are leading the way. The old beliefs are being pushed away with the shadows of our past.
Another point that this image makes is that they might not be coffins. They could be statements showing that now, America has split the policy in two. On one hand, the box on the right “Didn’t Tell” because there was no need for it. It’s a persons freedom to live the life they want to live. They should never be subjected to the prejudice or judging of others. So on this hand, you have a persons freedom. On the other, you have the newer view not asking in the first place. That finally, America is realizing that it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change who the person is, or what they are doing so there is no reason to ask. Accept who people are and move on. This definitely reinforces the view of the shadows retreating as it represents our country moving on and becoming all the better for it.
The shadows are also representing something besides showing how our country is improving. They also serve to focus the readers attention on the subject at hand. By using a neutral color, the tan, for a background and the black of the shadow for the outer edges, this emphasizes on the objects themselves. And by giving them the bright colors of the red, white, and blue of the flags, that just pushes it even further. Given that the messages written at the bottom of each flag are in black and white, this just all but screams out for your attention. Showing that this is a very important subject that every reader should know exists.
The subject at hand, the policy that split our military into factions has caused problems in the past. When this policy first came into being, December 21, 1993, almost 14,000 soldiers were discharged under the category of homosexuality as reported by http://www.military.com/news/article/2011/dont-ask-dont-tell-policy-is-history.html. This was something that showed the narrowness of our country in a time where we should have been showing the world why we are the best country in it. We should have been striving to be standing on top and yet we allowed ourselves to fall from grace. It would be almost 18 years, and 3 Presidents before we corrected our stance on this. While a step forward in the right direction, it is still only one of many other problems our country still has. But this shows we know how, and can, take the right path.
Since I have almost 12 years in the military, I thought it would be good if I included my view on the policy itself. I never agreed with the policy itself. From day one, it slaps the Constitution in the face. It blatantly encroaches onto every American’s rights to live the lives they want to live without judgment. It goes against everything our country has told and showed the world that we are about. From my experience, it doesn’t matter what your sexual preference is, as long as your willing to do your duty, as long as your willing to stand shoulder to shoulder, as long as your willing to stand up for what you believe your country is about and watch my back while I watch yours, I don’t care. It’s as simple as that. I found both these cartoons to be very close to the truth as far as I see it. Most soldiers don’t care if your gay or not. Fortunately most of us have moved beyond it. We understand the importance of our job. We understand that our training gives us an advantage that most civilians never see. Or understand. We spend a lot of time beside everyone we serve with and this has allowed us to move on.
Unfortunately America is a big place with a lot more people in it than our military. So its going to take a long time for the rest of the country to catch up. Ultimately I agree with the first cartoon. It doesn’t matter. All that matters was I was a soldier, like him, and I’m proud of it. The second cartoon is something I believe represents our country. It’s evolving. It’s changing. And so far, for the better. I realize that our country has bigger problems, but one small step at a time. Allowing gay people to openly serve shows how much we’ve improved and maybe one day the rest of the world will follow in our steps.
This is one subject that every American, civilian or military, should take notice of. One that they should take part of and strive to understand. And in the end, we need to keep those shadows away. Keep the light bright and always be moving forward to improve this great country that we all share.
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