I'm disappointed with passive, weak VFW support of racial justice and equality in America

Dear Veterans of Foreign Wars,

I am a life member, son of a life member and grandson of a life member.

My concern is with our VFW national approach to unjust racism.

A couple months back the new VFW national commander tried to quiet the storms caused during his installation when he said, "Black Lives DO Matter." Note his "DO" in all-caps. Emphatic! That led to an all-members letter to back-paddle his words. In this, VFW has chosen a coward's position regarding today's racial turmoil. https://drive.google.com/.../1qqASXd4Pc4.../view...

Dear Mr. Roesch,

I am alarmed and disappointed with the inadequate VFW response to our country's racial unrest.

VFW continues our passive approach, surrendering any moral claims to truly care or advance meaningful solutions. Our position remains a tepid non-solution "against racism" claim while doing nothing more positive. Empty words, little moral authority, we comfort nobody.

In 2016 VFW National Commander Keith Harman wrote, “We have no tolerance for racism. Our nation is great because of the diversity of its people, and there is no place within this organization for a differing opinion.” 

But five years later, we've done nothing useful. Of course we're against racism. Even bigots insist in their hatred and ignorance that they are not racists. 

Together with these bigots, we merely whisper we're against racism but do too little to matter. Why don't post or department reports cover minority issues and recruiting? When was the last article in our magazine or newsletters focused on overcoming the racial divide?

These last seven months I have been demonstrating, along with my church and other community folks - not protesting, just quietly trying to support of what I consider racial justice and equality. And peace.

After the first few days there were phone calls from VFW members to the post commander here in

Fort Collins, complaining about my sitting at a street corner in my wheelchair with a sign reading "VFW Against Racism." The post was concerned it would offend members even more than merely verbally stating we're against racism. 

Imagine: VFW members complaining about an important value officially proclaimed all around the county, but complaining about thisVFW value publicly proclaimed by my little poster.

This situation has parallels in combat, but this time we VFW troops hear the sound of the guns and quietly march away rather than towards our duty. As a 30-year life member, I'm ashamed. This is a battle we needed to win long ago but is instead a conflict being gifted to our children and grandchildren.

Of course, we're busy falsely assuring ourselves VFW and other veterans organizations are somehow not contributing in any way to these troubles! None of the lingering problem of racial turmoil is our responsibility and we are no part of any solution. WRONG!

This head-in-the sand, deliberate self-deception is not the solution we as warriors ...even if as old warriors...are responsible for delivering to our children and grandchildren.

Respectfully and in brotherhood,

Wesley T. Carter, USAF Ret.
Life Member, St Cloud Post 428