How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
Dear President John Sexton:
Last week this university had another test in civility when discussing gay rights. Its grade, yet again, was an F.
In a 49-word diatribe denouncing military recruiters on campus, NYU spokesman John Beckman grossly mischaracterized a law, insinuated blackmail on the part of armed services personnel, and besmirched the sacrifices of our soldiers.
That must be some sort of record.
First, Beckman's (and presumably the university's) preference to block the military from recruiting rests on the false assertion that the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy is a discriminatory practice.
Beckman and my fellow students in NYU OUTLaw, a group that protested against military recruiters last week, need a brief refresher in basic legal concepts.
There is no constitutional right to serve in the armed forces. Moreover, the enumerated powers authorize Congress "to make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces."
As you know, it is precisely in Congress' authority to include an around-the-clock standardized set of qualifications to maintain "good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability," as in the case of DADT. Actions that are permissible in civilian life may not be in the military, which requires an extraordinary amount of personal sacrifice to prepare for war.
Beckman's second blunder was his use of "insidiously" in describing how a law requires military access to this campus, lest the university lose $130 million in federal funding.
Mr. Sexton, as president, kindly remind Beckman that this university is not a monolithic entity. It is a learning center of some 50,000 diverse and independent minds. It is unprofessional to publicly characterize the military's presence as some treacherous blackmail through which NYU has to sacrifice its sensitivity for money the university needs. Those who are uninterested in serving, either on DADT principles or for other reasons, are not obligated to engage with military personnel. It is also a bogus and unethical statement to imply NYU is somehow a victim of soldiers using federal law to their advantage. The real victim was the military, which was maligned for trying to find students interested in serving this great nation.
Lastly, in listing two groups NYU supports — the LGBT community and research scholars — Beckman conveniently dropped any mention of backing for armed services personnel.
There are thousands of men and women fighting two overseas wars, and there are others actively protecting this student body, including its gay members, from a terrorist attack here in New York.
Though many at this school disagree with DADT, university spokespeople should not sully any soldier's sacrifice for petty purposes.
Unfortunately, sir, the default vernacular of many gay rights advocates at NYU, students and non-students alike, is often small-minded and hyperbolic. They rubberstamp perceived opposition with charges of blackmail, discrimination, homophobia or bigotry.
I am prepared to flip the current destructive discourse. Together with your unique position, we can lead NYU employees, professors and students in discussions consistent with an upstanding university.
Nearly nine score years ago, Albert Gallatin envisioned NYU as a "system of rational and practical education fitting for all and graciously opened to all."
Let's keep that dream alive for every student, soldier and faculty member, including John Beckman.
Respectfully, David Ryan Williams
