TO THE EDITOR:
The stories of those affected by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” are enough to break your heart.
Take, for instance, former Sgt. Tracey L. Cooper-Harris. A few male troops caught wind that Harris was gay, and threatened to turn her in under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy unless she agreed to perform sexual favors. Or former Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Christopher Rocha, who endured hazing rituals that included being tied to chairs and forced to crawl in feces. But Rocha couldn’t report these acts for fear that it might trigger an investigation about his sexual orientation and result in a discharge from the U.S. military.
Add to this list of injustices UNC student Sara Isaacson, who after coming out to her ROTC commanders, was asked to repay back $80,000 in scholarship money she received to attend UNC. Isaacson will now be forced to incur massive unexpected debt, all because she had the courage to live honestly and with integrity — two values supposedly at the heart of U.S. military service.
UNC could take this moment to show bold leadership for equal rights by waiving the $80,000 in tuition that Isaacson is now expected to repay, and by condemning “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
That’s why Change.org is running a petition urging UNC to take a stand. Now that the effect of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has landed on campus, will those who lead UNC have the courage to speak out against it?
You can take a stand and sign the petition at Change.org.
Michael Jones
Editor
Change.org
