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The American Legion won’t tolerate hate

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The American Legion, like the rest of society, enters 2021 with a sense of reflection about what place we have in this world. The problems of 2020 would seem to be out of our control, but we are all responsible for our actions and reactions to that world.  

As a non-partisan organization, The American Legion typically abstains from public political debates, but we exist in this world and so do our members. Of particular focus these days is our divided nation and the emergence of radical thinking and groups that leverage that perspective into hate.  

When the scenario turns to hate, The American Legion cannot stand silent. It is no longer about free speech or simple political discourse, rather it morphs into an affront to both Legionnaires and our communities, states and nations. As sworn defenders of this country, when lines are crossed, we must take a stand. A prime example occurred in 2017, when a resolution was passed that reaffirmed an 84  year old position of The American Legion. The original resolution resolves that: 

The American Legion considers any individual, group of individuals, or organizations,  which creates, or fosters racial, religious or class strife among our people, or which  takes into their own hands the enforcement of law, determination of guilt, or infliction of  punishment, to be un-American, a menace to our liberties, and destructive to our  fundamental law. 

Each member of The American Legion takes an oath and lives under the Preamble to the  Constitution of the organization. That Preamble is recited at the start of every meeting and is  printed on the back of the very membership card that all members carry. These words are defining of both the individual and the larger organization. We pledge, among other things, to support ideals such as: 

It should be clear that The American Legion has no room for hate in its membership, nor will we silently  tolerate hate in any form. With the current tone of the nation’s dialog, these principles, without  discipline and attention, can be lost in the fray. This cannot and will not be tolerated. The American Legion has internal mechanisms to deal with actions of malintent that violate the core values of the  organization, as voted on by the members of the organization.  

The core values are not a reaction to any news of the day. They are printed and carried in our wallets. They are recited at our gatherings, and they reside if the hearts of those members who conduct themselves in congruence with the principles expected of Legionnaires.

Author: caLegion Contributor

The above article may contain opinions which are the author's own and may not necessarily reflect an official stance taken by The American Legion Department of California. We do our best to vet any information posted to the website. Please email webteam@calegion.org with any changes and/or corrections to anything published here.

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