VA Axes Secret Plan To Hide Iconic V-J Day Photo Over Lack Of ‘Inclusivity’

The Federalist ^ | 3/5/23 | Shawn Fleetwood

[Impala64ssa]

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) abandoned plans Tuesday to remove an iconic World War II-era photo from its facilities due to an alleged lack of “inclusivity.” The move came following backlash that emerged immediately after the decision was leaked earlier that day.

In a memo issued last Thursday, VA undersecretary RimaAnn Nelson requested agency officials remove the “V-J Day in Times Square” photo from all Veterans Health Administration facilities, in compliance with the VA’s goal of “maintaining a safe, respectful, and trauma-informed environment.” Taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt in 1945, the iconic photograph depicts a Navy sailor kissing a female stranger during the Victory over Japan Day celebration in New York City at the end of World War II.

In her memo, Nelson claimed the picture represented a “non-consensual act,” and argued that allowing its presence in agency facilities “is inconsistent with the VA’s no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault.” She further asserted that while the photo’s placement in VA buildings “was initially intended to celebrate and commemorate the end of World War II and the triumphant return of American soldiers,” views on “historical events and representations evolve.”

“Recent discussions have highlighted concerns about the non-consensual nature of the kiss, prompting debates on consent and the appropriateness of celebrating such images in today’s environment,” Nelson wrote. “To foster a more trauma-informed environment that promotes the psychological safety of our employees and the Veterans we serve, photographs depicting the ‘V-J Day in Times Square’ should be removed from all VHA facilities.”

“This action reflects our dedication to creating a respectful and safe workplace and is in keeping with our broader efforts to promote a culture of inclusivity and awareness,” she added.

The X user known as EndWokeness posted the leaked memo Tuesday morning, generating widespread backlash and condemnation of the VA and its ludicrous decision. This prompted VA Secretary Denis McDonough to issue a statement on X, with a caption accompanying the V-J Day photo reading: “Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities — and we will keep it in VA facilities.”

While McDonough did not say whether the memo was legitimate, The Military Times confirmed its authenticity late Tuesday morning. Agency officials reportedly told the outlet the document “should not have been sent out and was formally rescinded on Tuesday,” but “did not provide details of whether senior leaders were consulted on the matter ahead of Nelson’s memo.”

Two unidentified officials who spoke with the Associated Press also verified the memo as authentic

[DesertRhino]

Awesome! Where is that? LOL

[Tennessee Nana]

Is it because theyre a man and a woman or because theyre white ???

[rottndog]

VA undersecretary RimaAnn Nelson...Someone deserving of a very public firing, followed by being blacklisted.

[hardspunned]

There will come a time when we will once again need MEN like the heroes who took Mt. Suribachi to actually defend this nation. The Pentagon rainbow generals will have a few dedicated patriots in the ranks but the trannies, fat asses, cowardly queers and women will form the bulk of the force. God help us.

[Elsie]

Nelson claimed the picture represented a “non-consensual act,”

The ladies in the lower left appear to agree with what is happening...

[Elsie]

That poor, little girl in the lower left will be TRAUMATIZED!!! for LIFE!

[Elsie]

Pee Wee Herman's fat sister...

[Elsie]

[Elsie]

Dang!

How many WOKE folk are WORKING there?

[Elsie]

...and some folks think that Jesus wasn’t Jewish!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sethcohen/2020/06/27/was-jesus-black-or-white/?sh=40b9e83348e5

[Mopp4]

RE:Where is that kissing statue located?

There's one in San Diego right by the USS Midway.

[Clarancebeaks]

If the picture would have featured a negro sailor kissing the white woman, even if he had his one hand on her ass, the picture would be untouchable and widely celebrated.

[Elsie]

... it was clear that the century’s deadliest, most devastating war was finally over...

Not in percentage...

 

Rank War          Years      Deaths  Deaths/day  U.S. population     Deaths as percentage

                                                 in 1st year of war     of population
1    Civil War    1861–1865 655,000  449             31,443,000      2.083% (1860)
2    World War II 1941–1945 405,399  297            133,402,000      0.307% (1940)
3    World War I  1917–1918 116,516  200            103,268,000      0.110% (1920)
4    Vietnam War  1961–1975  58,209   11            179,323,175      0.032% (1970)
5    Korean War   1950–1953  36,574   30            151,325,000      0.024% (1950)

 

 

United States military casualties of war - Wikipedia

[Elsie]

... it was clear that the century’s deadliest, most devastating war was finally over...

Oops!

I missed this qualifier until just AFTER I posted it.

[Elsie]

Hard to tell about the quite ones...

[Elsie]

With the new phone cameras, you can edit history before it’s recorded!

[Elsie]

On a pedestal...

[Elsie]

Both!

Either!!

Just CAUSE!!!

[GailA]

btt

[Albion Wilde]

There's a "Lack of Inclusivity" in this cotton-picking photo, so we need to stop displaying pictures of this nature.

FWIW, many white southerners picked cotton, before and after the Emancipation. Billionaire Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty has described picking cotton as a teenager so he could go to college. The renowned Southern writer Rick Bragg has told of being dragged around the cotton fields on a sack as a baby while his mother picked cotton to make ends meet.