My American Journey: on Civil Rights
Skin color is not behavioral; sexual orientation is
[In testimony before Congress on gays in the military], I said, “I think it would be prejudicial to good order and discipline to try to integrate gays and lesbians in the current military structure.” Congresswoman Pat Schroeder quoted a 1942 government
report and claimed that the same arguments used then against racial integration in the military were being used against gays today. She had her logic wrong. I responded, “Skin color is a benign, nonbehavioral characteristic. Sexual orientation is
perhaps the most profound of human behavioral characteristics. Comparison of the two is a convenient but invalid argument.
The linking of gay rights and the civil rights movement got a mixed reaction in the African-American community.
The Congressional Black Caucus favored removing the ban on homosexuals in the armed services. But other leaders were telling me that they resented having the civil rights crusade hijacked by the gay community for its ends.
Source: My American Journey, by Colin Powell, p. 533
Jan 1, 1995
Urged reconciliation in L.A. Rodney King riots
[In May 1992], I watched the news on the riot in LA triggered by the acquittal of four policemen charged with beating Rodney King. No fair-minded person seeing the now-famous videotape could deny that he had been the victim of excessive police force. The
not-guilty verdict ignited rage in the black community.I was asked to look over Pres. Bush’s speech scheduled for that evening. I read it with dismay. I thought the tone was all wrong. Yes, the rioting was criminal, and law & order had to be restored.
But the violence had not incubated in isolation; it had deep social roots. The speech, as it stood, recognized only the former and ignored the latter. I saw the fingerprints of the far right all over the draft.
[I urged Bush’s staff] to “do the
law-and-order bit. But there’s language here that’s only going to fan the flames.” Even Rodney King, I pointed out, was preaching racial reconciliation: “Can we all get along?” Bush’s speech reflected that; I felt I had earned my pay that afternoon.
Source: My American Journey, by Colin Powell, p. 537-8
Jan 1, 1995
Wants active government in protecting civil rights
I want the government to be vigorous and active in ensuring the protections of the Constitution to all Americans. Our Constitution and our national conscience demand that every American be accorded dignity and respect, receive the same treatment
under the law, and enjoy equal opportunity. The hard-won civil rights legislation of the 1960s, which I benefited from, was fought for by presently derided liberals, over the opposition of those hiding behind transparent arguments of “states’ rights.”
Source: My American Journey, by Colin Powell, p. 591
Jan 1, 1995
Equal opportunity without preferential treatment
Equal rights & equal opportunity mean just that. They do not mean preferential treatment. If affirmative action means programs that provide equal opportunity, then I am all for it. If it leads to preferential treatment or helps those that no longer need
help, I am opposed. I benefited from equal opportunity and affirmative action in the Army, but I was not shown preference. The Army made sure that performance would be the only measure of advancement. When equal performance does not result in equal
advancement, then something is wrong with the system, and our leaders have an obligation to fix it. If a history of discrimination has made it difficult for certain Americans to meet standards, it is only fair to provide temporary means to help them
catch up and compete on equal terms. Affirmative action in the best sense promotes equal consideration, not reverse discrimination. Discrimination “for” one group means, inevitably, discrimination “against” another; and all discrimination is offensive.
Source: My American Journey, by Colin Powell, p. 591-2
Jan 1, 1995
Page last updated: Dec 12, 2018