Mattathias Schwartz did a profile for The New York Times Magazine today on Jack Dailey, the North Carolina man that teaches people to shoot rifles at his Appleseed Project. So far Appleseed has taught 25,000 people to shoot; 7,000 more will learn by the end of this year.
In the article Daily made a homophobic comment:
On my last day in North Carolina, Dailey and I visited a Revolutionary War battlefield an hour’s drive from the warehouse. We walked through the wooded site as joggers and couples passed us on the trail. We came to a stop at two cannon replicas beside what had once been colonial lines. Dailey paraphrased what he called “the gay quote,” John Adams’s sentiment that he would study war, so his sons could study business and agriculture, so their sons could study the arts. “What a bad plan!” Dailey said. “The bad people of the world are still going to be there in three generations. So your grandson better know something about war. You can’t just have the third generation sitting around, ballet dancing, playing pianos and talking dilettante talk.”
Fortunately, Truth Wins Out wrote an article about the comments and, as a result, Daily apologized:
“Youch! That was a stupid way to say what I meant and was rather inconsiderate to say the least. I apologize for that old phrase of language which no longer has a place in polite discourse. Now, if you have specific questions about our program, I would be happy for Joshua to explain anything that you have questions about and I hope some day to meet you on the line at an event. Thank you.”
It’s important for me to make clear that “Appleseed is friends to all”.
We try hard not to have any enemies, but to be a positive influence in all our actions.
I personally try to make that my motto, and when I say something stupid which causes hurt to others, it causes even more hurt to me.
So, sorry, guys – hope you’ll forgive me.
Apology accepted. We all make mistakes, so don’t worry about it.
However, it is nice to see people take responsibility for their comments and actions and respond in a swift matter. I am pleased to find that Appleseed is open and inclusive.
Thank you, Jack.
T.W.O.,
I personally regret Jack’s comment. His language was both unfortunate and not representative of the philosophy of our program. We actually believe in the involvement of all people, including LBGT people in our events.
While this may seem unlikely, it is the case and I have been more than happy to personally instruct both my gay and bi friends at our events and have never gotten so much as a comment about it, even with my “Question Gender” bumperstickers plainly visible.
Recently, I was contacted by a gay friend in CA who planned to go to an event and had concerns that it would be homophobic and uncomfortable. I assured her that it better not be or I would look into it and crack some heads. She went, had a great time, and had a ball. At no time was she, or her partner spoken to about their obvious sexual preference. I was very happy when she told me that she had a great time.
Personally, when I was reading the article, Jack’s language as quoted struck me hard. That is partly because I have never heard him use that word, and partly because he has specifically asked that we reach out to all groups and LBGT is a group that we agree needs to be included just like everyone else.
Now, these are just words. Perhaps a few pictures I tossed together could help make the point:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4849634304_4f1e6c41be_b.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmVvs5LCYPY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knGRMwtOwcI
Every one of these pictures was taken at an actual Appleseed event.
Anyways, I would love to continue conversation if you are interested and simply apologize for Jack’s bad choice of words. I know they are not reflective of the program or our desire to include all Americans of any sexual preference in our program. I did, and do not, like them either and will work on helping Jack understand the error of them.
Joshua Streiff,
Appleseed Project, Indiana
Joshua:
Thank you for writing, I appreciate it. I would love for Jack to also send an apology and make it clear that his program is open and inclusive. It would alleviate our concerns.
Wayne Besen
Executive Director
Truth Wins Out
I have no problem with myself or another shooting a gun (under the proper circumstances, of course). My problem lies with people building their own militias because 1) they think a pure Libertarian way of governing is feasible (no central military) and 2) they’re peaved about having a brown-skinned president who is a member of a party that technically considers itself left of center.
These anti-federal gun nuts give responsible marksmen bad names. The pic of the cammo-clad queer-friendly person with their military-grade rifle raised doesn’t alleviate any of my concerns, which Wayne wrote in the first part of the article. I’d like Joshua to address these as well.
Emily,
The official response is attached below. But first, I would like to point out that the Appleseed Project began during the Bush administration, not Obama. There is no connection there except in the NYT staff’s expectation of our program and attendees.
For more a more detailed starting point, here is the official response (and I am happy to explain any of this in detail or any other question that I can):
Dear Sirs:
It is with some sadness and disappointment that we at the Appleseed Project read the New York Times article this evening. When the NYT originally asked us to host their media team in order to better understand what we do, we welcomed them. When they wanted access to our students, programs, and instructors, we acquiesced without hesitation.
We did so because we have nothing to hide and no secrets in our program. There is no reason whatsoever to restrict or fear an open and honest press.
We spoke with happiness and excitement about the stellar growth of our program over the last four years and our mission to bring every American to a greater sense of responsibility for our nation and to live out that feeling through civic involvement.
Frankly, we opened ourselves up and said our piece in trust that it would be conveyed by the press to its readers.
Sadly, today’s article is not about us. It is not about the Appleseed Project. It is about militias and about anecdotal gun owners who are not members of our program. The constant focus on the militia movement, the Tea Party, and Mr. Faire are at the center of this article and as a result this article is not about us, since those things are not, and never have been the Appleseed Project.
Frankly, there are among us those who feel that we have been poorly described and treated in this article, and I will return to that point in a moment.
The real tragedy here, however, is a complete failure of the press to see the real story: Why does Appleseed double every year? Why are people of all races, genders and ideological affiliations drawn to the Appleseed Project? What is going on here?
In its rush to cover the desired story, that is, scary militia groups, the NYT simply misses what is really important. Therein lies its disservice to both its readers and our program.
Now, with respect to specific themes in the article that we feel incorrectly describe the Appleseed Project, let us simply address each in turn:
Inaccuracy #1: Appleseed is Militia
Appleseed is not a militia or interested in militia training. Appleseed teaches only individual marksmanship skills and the history of April 19th, 1775. Appleseed does not provide training in military tactics or unit operations. Rather, Appleseed uses marksmanship as a way for modern Americans to reconnect with THE Founders through a shared, traditional American skill. No more. No less. Appleseed does not see our government as an enemy or force of arms as a solution. Rather, our enemies are laziness, ignorance and apathy. Appleseed sees education and lived history as the means to get people to the real solution: Personal involvement in civic processes to ensure a better future for our nation. Our ancestors fought so that we would not have to; all we have to do is get off our couches and get involved.
Where militias offer a dark haven for people with concerns about an unwelcome future, Appleseed offers reason for hope and sees bright, happy days ahead. That is the real reason we are not a militia nor associated with any such like-thinking group.
Inaccuracy #2: Appleseed is White (and thus Racist in some fashion by extension)
Appleseed is filled with students and instructors of all races, creeds, genders, and identities. We make no distinction for color, religion, sexual preference, political beliefs or any other discriminatory category. Our program is comprised at all levels of all Americans, and we explicitly urge all Americans to come. We have no patience for those who would take this great nation and divide it up by race, or who would single out someone else for ridicule or derision. There is no place in our cadre, among our students, or at our events for those who would put petty distinctions above unity and our joint past and future.
Inaccuracy #3: Appleseed is Anti-Government, Anti-Military, Anti-Law Enforcement
Appleseed is not anti-government, anti-military, or anti-law enforcement. Among our volunteers are people who work in law enforcement, the military, the government and nearly every civilian trade. We teach students who work in law enforcement, the military, the government, and any civilian occupation precisely because we are all Americans and inheritors of the same heritage and history. And together we must make our joint future.
Appleseed has zero tolerance for anti-government, anti-military, or anti-law enforcement attitudes, comments or advocates. To the contrary, we offer free spots on our shooting lines for active duty military personnel and have been called onto military bases to teach troops deploying for overseas duty in combat theaters. Elected officials at any level of government are invited to participate in Appleseed without charge. Finally, it is our goal to get each and every participant involved in the body politic, which means we are always clear that we hold our government, the government given us by the Founders, in the highest regard.
Soldiers, police officers, and government officials are not our enemies. They are our neighbors, friends, and protectors. At Appleseeds they are our honored guests.
Inaccuracy #4: Appleseed is Right Wing
Appleseed is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with no interest in partisan politics. Appleseed volunteers and students come from all political parties, economic classes, and ideologies. We have no place for left wing, right wing, or any “wings” at all. Our program could not function that way, nor do we want it to.
Our only interest in politics is with the political details that led to and followed from the events of April 19th, 1775. From our retelling of those events we find that students are often motivated to move into civic involvement themselves. We do not frame the prospective involvement of our students and look forward to the day when we see two Appleseed graduates from opposite sides of the political spectrum running against each other in a national election.
Our goal is civic involvement across the ideological spectrum.
Inaccuracy #5: Appleseed has a Secret Plan
We wish we had a Secret Plan to get more people involved but we don’t. There is no inner group, no special level, no wizard behind the curtain. There is only this: Our ancestors were left with two paths: submission or bloodshed. They chose the latter so that we could be left with a third path: citizenship and civic participation. To take this third path we must get off the couch, turn off the TV, and get involved in our communities. Those who would blather about a “choice” between submission and bloodshed in modern America do not understand what America was meant to be, or is.
Civic participation is not our secret plan. It is our openly stated mission.
In conclusion, it is my hope that the NYT and its readers continue their search for authentic information about the Appleseed Project so that they learn for themselves exactly what the Appleseed Project is, and what it seeks to create: a more active body politic. The current article is simply woefully lacking in that regard.
If anyone has any interest in continuing this conversation or attending an event, please be sure to contact us through our website http://www.appleseedinfo.org or via our email info@appleseedinfo.org and we will be happy to meet you.
We are open to all inquiries and harbor no ill-will toward the NYT or the author. We are certain that what lies behind this unfortunate description of our program is a deep-seated concern about firearms, marksmanship training and heritage programs. It is our stated mission to change that through the hard work of education and apparently we are right where we need to be.
Thank you for your time, and thanks to your readership as well,
The Appleseed Project
National Branch
Thanks for commenting, Joshua.
Wayne, I’m glad to not only apologize for a stupid comment – can’t believe I was so careless in my choice of language – but to definitely state Appleseed is “open to all” – and I mean it!
Race, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation – all are welcome at Appleseed.
OK, just to make it clear that I indeed humbly apologize, here is my official apology:
“Youch! That was a stupid way to say what I meant and was rather inconsiderate to say the least. I apologize for that old phrase of language which no longer has a place in polite discourse. Now, if you have specific questions about our program, I would be happy for Joshua to explain anything that you have questions about and I hope some day to meet you on the line at an event. Thank you.”
It’s important for me to make clear that “Appleseed is friends to all”.
We try hard not to have any enemies, but to be a positive influence in all our actions.
I personally try to make that my motto, and when I say something stupid which causes hurt to others, it causes even more hurt to me.
So, sorry, guys – hope you’ll forgive me.
Jack – thank you very much. Your apology is accepted and we appreciate you clarifying the policy of Appleseed. It is heartening to know that it is an inclusive program and open to all people. We are grateful for your swift and reassuring response.
It is heartening when people recognize the error they made/hurt they have caused and apologise.
I think that says a lot about a person’s character – kudos to Truth Wins Out for responding to the quote and thank you to Jack Dailey for making this right.
I have zero interest in guns, but I guess an organization that named itself after *fruit* can’t be all bad. >;-)
Listen guys, Appleseed has been been accused of racism against Obama.
Hello! Appleseed has been at it since 2005. Guess who was in office then? It wasn’t Obama. Does the name Bush right a bell.
I am not a racist just because I don’t like Obama. I would have rather seen Kucinich in office, and not because he’s white. The Chicago politics Obama has played was just unpalatable to me. It had nothing to do with skin color.
I’d really loved to death to see an Kucinich/Paul ticket in that last primary. It would have shaken the establishment to the core. heh.
Having Wall Street Insiders in the cabinet has done nothing to endear Obama to me. As a flaming liberal I feel sold out. Rode hard and put away wet. And don’t get me started on CoreExit, the EPA, and all the rest of the traitors to the progressive movement.
Well, as one of the program’s master Instructors, I can state, for fact, that we are a long ways from homophobic.
Up in my part of the country we even have a couple that are Instructors with the program. This couple being two very nice women that just happen to be lesbians (now ask me if I really care about that). Considering the size of the state, that’s an impressive number, as our entire Instructor Staff here is quite small, seeing that we’re a very small state.
They aren’t with the program as a “token”, they’re here because they are good Instructors, willing and eager to help others. And, I personally know both of them. Normal, great people.
The military may be “don’t ask, don’t tell”, but Project Appleseed is “it isn’t relevant”. Sounds kind of callous, but, is someone’s sexual orientation really an issue? Sure isn’t to me. Same thing with age, race, color, creed or national origin. We even have people on board with severe physical limitations, and I am one of them myself.
The ONLY things that matters are the following:
Are they capable of teaching others?
Do they have the skills and zeal to teach them?
Can they work a moderate amount of events each year?
If the answer to these are yes, then we want them on the team. Every thing else is just fluff.