Let me propose to you an ethical dilemma:
A reporter calls to ask you about a former college football teammate. The reporter wants to know if he was a racist?
What if this old teammate was a former US Congressman, Governor of the State of Virginia, is a current US Senator running for re-election, and on the short-list for President of the United States in 2008? What would you do?
What if reporting this information would adversely affect you, your family, and old friendships?
What if this information had been heavy on your conscience for many years and the teammate you knew was a racist, a bully, a liar, and more? ..that his core values were the most corrupt of anyone you knew growing up? What would you do?
I hope your answer is Gǣtell the truthGǥ. ThatGs what I did and will continue to do.
Why do I think US Senator George Allen (GA) was a racist?
When I was not much older than you, I witnessed a hate crime and I did not stop it.
Some more background: George Allen transferred from UCLA to the University of Virginia to play quarterback. I asked him once why he came to Virginia. His answer? Because he wanted to move somewhere that the Gǣblacks knew their place". I was shocked by his answer.
- He used the NGǪ word often, except in the presence of blacks.
- George provided nicknames to many of our team players. He asked me if I was related to Robert Shelton, at the time an Imperial Wizard of a group affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group that promotes violence and hatred against Blacks, Jews, Catholics, and others. I said "absolutely not". Despite this, he nicknamed me "wizard".
- After a successful deer-hunting trip, George asked our hunting companion where the local blacks lived. I watched George Allen place an antler-less severed deer head into their large mailbox. This occurred shortly after the film the "Godfather" was released featuring an intimidation scene using a severed horse's head. I witnessed this hate crime and I did not stop it.
Why did I allow this to happen?
GA was a bully. You tend to give bullies a wide berth. They have a way of ostracizing and embarrassing or otherwise inflicting pain on you. Think about the bullies in your life. You tend to avoid them or cajole them for if you seem to be on their side, they pick on you less. In retrospect, I should have stood up to him and I encourage you to stand up to the bullies in your life.
Then, thereGs Peer pressure, Gǣgoing along with the crowdGǥ. Peer pressure holds huge influences over each of you. Be it exposure to tobacco, alcohol, drugs or intolerance, if your friends condone and use it, you can too easily follow their lead. Remember, you make your own choices. Let your conscience guide you. You have the power to make it right the first time.
I have withheld this information for over 30 years. Why?
I was embarrassed by my inaction, not stopping GA from shoving the deer head into that black familyGs mailbox. I could have intervened. I failed that day and have been unable to clear my conscience since. These memories donGt go away. Remember, events that happen now affect you for the rest of your life.
Meanwhile, GA ascended political heights I never imagined and now serves as a United States Senator. With each election in his political rise, I laughed to myself thinking, GǣWhat a joke. When will someone step forward and expose this man for what he was?Gǥ Someone else, I thought would do so. No one did.
Let me step back a minute and ask if any student here is familiar with the name Kitty Genovese or the Gǣbystander effectGǥ?
The Bystander effect refers to situations where more than one person observes an emergency but each individual is less likely to intervene. I call this the GǣSomeone Else SyndromeGǥ. For example, surely someone else will speak up and intervene.
Many years ago in NYC, a young woman, Kitty Genovese, was stabbed and sexually assaulted by a serial rapist and murderer in an apartment complex. A dozen witnesses heard and observed this. Everyone thought Gǣsomeone elseGǥ would come to her aid or call the police. After 30 minutes, someone did but Kitty Genovese died on the way to the hospital.
Her killer was not caught immediately and lived to kill again.
We are left to speculate, what would have happened if Gǣsomeone elseGǥ had called for help sooner? Kitty and others may have lived. We will never know.
GǣSomeone else syndromeGǥ
I have been its victim as well. I always thought Gǣsomeone elseGǥ would expose George Allen. No one did. Now, I am making up for lost time. Truth and character matter. I feel it is my civic duty to inform the voting public about who this man was. I would do this regardless of his political party, for in my opinion, he is unfit for public office, at any level. I did not want my withholding of his misdeeds to allow him to ascend to the most powerful position in the world. He is not qualified to run this country or to decide when to send you (point to students) to war in its defense.
Why have others not come forward till now and why such fear to tell the truth?
Perhaps they were too embarrassed by their association with or observation of his actions. Perhaps it is because of his immense power and influence. Some old teammates or family members have held his political appointments and jobs. Others said they could not come forward due to repercussion to their jobs, reputations and families. As a US Senator, his reach throughout the state of Virginia and our nation is extensive.
These revelations have come at a cost. I have risked many old friendships. The media descended like a firestorm, seeking interviews and sound bites. I was interviewed by numerous papers including the NYT, WashPost, Associated Press, and appeared on CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Inside Edition. Some people turn their back on you, some send mean-spirited letters, and some call you a GǣliarGǥ. Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh called me an Gǣanti-tobacco, environmental activist GǪhack from NCGǥ. Considering the source, I take that as a compliment. Through this, I have learned that truth is absolute and sets you free. I feel free again and hold my head high.
You have studied the GǣWatergateGǥ scandal this week with many lessons learned: GǣNo one is above the lawGǥ. Everyone is accountable for his or her actions including the President of the United States. You have learned that power can corrupt. You have also learned the power of Free Speech and a Free Press. Imagine what would have happened if the WashPost reporters, Woodward and Bernstein, had not done their job seeking the truth about Watergate? Similarly, it was a reporter, Michael Scherer, with Salon.com who followed a hunch till he found someone willing to talk about the character of George Allen. As with Watergate, no one knows what goes on behind the closed doors of politics unless someone is willing to tell the truth and the media make it public.
As I conclude, I challenge each of you as a citizen (address and point to students) to exert your rights to vote and free speech. Otherwise, unrestrained power will continue to corrupt, tainting politics and the future of your country. Cover-ups, lies, deception, and corruption should be pushed out of politics.
Remember, GǣWe the peopleGǥ are a reflection of those we elect to higher office. It is your and my responsibility to hold our politicians and their power in check.
Please learn to think for yourself, removing partisan blinders, listening with an open mind to all sides, and then, vote your conscience. Honor, integrity, character, and core values are critical in those willing to serve. That is why George Allen should be defeated.
I offer this advice: If you ever find the need to come forward with allegations, be sure of your information and aware of the potential consequences. Consult key people in your life first. ..such as a parent, minister, teacher. Realize that your friends may or may not back you up.
What have I re-learned by recent events?
Stand up to bullies. Your voice can make a difference. DonGt wait for someone else to step forward or speak.
Trust your conscience as your Gǣmoral compassGǥ. Do the right thing the first time.
Lead by example and avoid the wrong crowd.
And Finally,
Pivotal moments in life challenge your morals and ethics and you must take a stand.
Silent observation of the misdeeds of others makes you an GǣaccompliceGǥ. Speak out against injustice and intolerance.
And remember: Events that happen now will affect you for the rest of your life.
For this opportunity for me to exercise my freedom of speech, I thank you.
I last lived in VA in 1980. I was called one day by a "get out the vote" person who asked if I would be voting for George Allen (in his first run for political office)?
I said "no".
She asked, "why not"?
I said, "because I know him personally."
ken shelton
Usually, time erases the value of coming forward. In you case, it didn't. I'm glad you said something, and I think many people did believe you and changed their minds.
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Well, although I would define the term much differently than Tom DeLay and company, character in fact does matter very much. So everyone in Virginia, Republican, Democrat or Independent, needs to take a close look at how George Allen and Jim Webb have lived their lives and ask: who is more fit to represent us?
I think both men have revealed a great deal about their characters, and that is exactly why George Allen has tumbled in the polls. We don't need racists representing us. We need a good man like Jim Webb as our Senator.
The story only described it as a "local" high school. Was the high school in Virginia or North Carolina? Why didn't the press cover it? This is powerful stuff on the eve of the election.
After I read your story about how you lived with the painful memory of not having done anything to stop George Allen as a young man, I spoke with my children about the importance of taking a stand when they see someone mistreating another. It takes courage and there are risks, but doing the right thing is very rewarding. There is such a sense of honor that develops from standing up for what is right in spite of what harm may befall us. That sense of personal honor is one thing that noone can give us but we can earn through our actions. Sadly, George Allen has never learned these lessons. I am happy that Jim Webb learned them as a young man and continues to live by them.
This is the first election in which I have actively campaigned for a candidate. I, like many, felt compelled to action because I saw our American principles being trampled by our own elected representatives. Coincidentally, it was hearing that my US Senator was being groomed to run for president that pushed me to get involved. At that time I was not aware that Allen had a history of racial intolerance. Prior to your coming forward I began to learn about Allen's prejudice from reports by investigative journalists.
Having grown up during the 60's civil rights movement, I find it strange that our newspapers and other media are so timid about discussing the question of racism. It was not that long ago that a candidate for governor of Georgia campaigned openly by waving an axe handle and proclaiming that no negroes would be allowed into his coffee shop. That was Lester Maddox. Perhaps we, as Americans, are so ashamed of our racist past that our tendency is to supress or avoid the topic. It took television images of children being pummelled by fire hoses, and worse, to mobilize our nation to try to end segregation.
Today, racism is not expressed so openly. Yet, its effects are all around us, if we choose to look. Unless we are vigilant, elected representatives can use their power as an instrument of racial prejudice.
You speak of your regret for not having acted in some way to try and stop your friend from doing what he did or even letting him know that you believe racial intolerance is wrong. Be that as it may, your regret helped you to come forward now to prevent a greater wrong.
Our political system is based on a constant striving to include its citizens in representative democracy. Efforts at tolerance advance and preserve this system, whereas intolerance and the promotion of intolerance serve to undermine it. This is not about a bigoted comment, it is about the preservation of our democracy. By helping to disclose the true character of one of our very powerful elected officials you have made a valuable contribution to our political system. Rest assured of our support, and that our vote on Tuesday will be better informed because of your efforts. Thank you.
As you have stated, I have been surprised how quickly the media shut down the criticism of Allen. Perhaps it was the timing with the Foley bombshell or perhaps there was some sinister cranking up of AIM “Allen Intimidation Machine” that forced newspapers and other media into retreat. I do not underestimate the power of a well-organized effort to suppress further revelations or the follow up that could/should have materialized. I am personally taken aback that more law school classmates and rugby teammates did not come forward given their opening. Allen’s influence and power may be foremost in their minds.
Ken Shelton
After reading your address to the high school students, I felt compelled to send the following message to my family and friends who are Virginia residents. I hope you find it worthwhile.
Sincerely,
Sam Putney
Dear friends and family,
I realize that in sending this I am violating one of my cardinal rules of email, which is that I do not broadcast items of personal interest to me to major segments of my email list simply on the conceit that they will necessarily be of interest to you. But I believe the election tomorrow for Virginia's U.S. Senate seat currently held by George Allen is so important that I'm willing to take any heat you might send my way for sending this message and the attached link to you.
Most or all of you know my political leanings, just as I have a good idea of most of yours. And I have no intention of pounding you with partisan rhetoric about any issue or candidate. You are all intelligent and have your own reasons, most well-reasoned, I'm sure, for voting for the candidates and issues you do.
The message accessed by the attached link is of such paramount importance to me because I grew up in a time and place where racism and segregation were the norm and to express any doubts about the rightness about the ways things had been done since 1619 was to risk being labeled a "nigger lover", or a "commie". I know every member of my immediate family was called such names at one time or another for being injudicious enough to express opposition to or simply reservations about the wisdom and fairness of Massive Resistance and the closing of public schools. (To me, back then, the chief irony, which I would express in response to the taunts, was that the accusers went to the same mainstream churches that we did where we were admonished to follow Christ's example and love everyone, even or enemies. I guess being a "nigger" was worse than being an "enemy". Being the smart-ass kid I was, I wore the epithet "nigger lover" as a badge of honor. I probably didn't deserve the honor because my actions rarely matched my words, but there wasn't much a kid could do in the segregated South back then to effect change.)
Having watched George Allen all through his political career, I concluded long ago that he was a bully who wanted most of all to be accepted as a "good ol' boy". Kind of a red-neck wannabe and perpetual frat boy. That's my personal bias and I want to make sure that's out in the open. I also am not going to pretend that the website that the attached link takes you to is nonpartisan. It is obviously a Democratic/progressive (liberal, if you prefer) site.
I don't care if you don't read anything else on the site. I only ask that, before you vote (if you haven't already) you read the address that Ken Shelton gave to an assembly at a high school in North Carolina and the discussion that follows. If after you read this you conclude that, as George Allen's handlers and apologists assert, Ken Shelton is a lying scoundrel, then you will probably vote to return George Allen to office. If, however, you are convinced by the tone of Ken Shelton's piece and the thoughtfulness and humanity it expresses, then I hope and expect that you will conclude that character is important and that George Allen has no business representing 21st century Virginia with 19th century values. Many "traditional values" are worth retaining, but some, such as racism and racial intimidation are not among them. I am convinced that someone would have to be a pathological liar to fabricate such a convincing and heart-felt piece as Ken Shelton has. And as he says, he certainly expected and caught enough grief for it speaking out. I and many others know how that feels.
Please follow the attached link, read the article, and then vote however your conscience tells you to.
Peace
Sam Putney
P.S. I do not consider George Allen's use of "macaca" to be an example of his racism. It was just a stupid off-the-cuff remark that showed more about his bullying and insensitivity. I'm talking about attitudes, words and actions that are much more serious. This is about the character thing, not campaign gaffs.
I thank you for you forwarding this on to those willing to see through the smoke and mirrors. I hope others did the same.
Ken Shelton