The Moderators Two Cents

[Lisa Steptoe]

The MOC-NEW distribution list is comprised of almost (but not nearly) all of the diverse alumni (and some cadets) of the USMA. That includes Women, Asian, American-Indian, Foreign National Graduates, African American, Korean and so on. This distribution list was started with the creation of the formation of the Minority Outreach Committee - now known as the Diversity Leadership Council.

If you want to know more about the DLC, go to www.theblackknights.org. A website that I've tried to keep maintained as best as I can and fund with my own money. This communication forum is one of the only mediums that all diverse graduates of the Academy have to stay in touch, discuss information & events, brag about our accomplishments and more.

Since I am the moderator of this email distro list, I know for a FACT that there is usually very little traffic (emails) from me. There can be surges from time to time but it is not a regular and "spamming" occurrence.

I was the one who forwarded the message that started the chain of emails on the Army-Navy Game. And most of you figured out how to send a message to the entire list without me having to moderate it on my own. THANK YOU! (send a message to [e-mail] and in the subject line, start the message with moc-news: SUBJECT). It actually makes my life and administration of this list much easier.

So those of you who want to be removed from this list SIMPLY because of the type of discussion or because you deem it not worthy of your time or intellect, just send me a not saying Unsubscribe. I don't need additional commentary or rants. Thank you very much.

Compared to some, I'm still a "young" grad among you. However, as the years have gone by, I have come to realize how much I need my fellow alumn, the importance of networking and staying in touch, and that you should never burn bridges. I hope you will consider that and remain part of the family.

Have a Happy Holiday and Blessed New Year.

BEAT NAVY SOME DAY!

Dare to Succeed,
Lisa Steptoe, 87

[Lisa Steptoe]

Lisa:

Reference your two cents---as always well said what bothers me is that we as alumni are at each other throats so to speak over the importance or lack there of Army football! I really think everyone is missing the Big Picture. Recently with the help of many of my fellow graduates and a dedicated teacher in the Gary, Indiana area I was able to get a highly sort after minority student to accept an appoint to West Point. Because of his Strong academic and SAT scores many Ivy League Schools promised him scholarships. But I was able to point out that this scholarship did not include room and board. It also did not guarantee a quality of life and standards of conduct that is expected of the cadets at West Point. I was able to point out academic, religious, and athletic levels of performance and achievement that most universities are not concerned with. (Let’s not talk about the Duke Lacrosse team.)



Respectfully let us be DIVERSE and respect everyone’s view points and concerns. I have used and hopefully will be able to continue to use the whole person concept as a recruitment tool. The Army athletic program or any team should never be allowed fall into disarray.



Army Strong



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Gerard M. Ousley “78”

Chief of Police

Durham VAMC

Office Number [phone]

Fax [phone]

[Intramural Ranger]

After getting the flood of emails (luckily gmail conveniently manages this for me), I felt the nerve to share my point of view on this thread. Here are some of my observations:

Army Football. Unfortunately, not all of us are such rabid fans because those who were on the team obviously have a different passion for it. If you valued your experience while you were on the team, good for you, but dont' try and enlighten the rest of us with your passion for the game and what YOU THINK it represents for others. The statements of "bigger than a sport/game/rivarly" are all in the eye of the beholder. Believe the advertising posters if you want to, but just because you believe it, doesn't mean it applies to everyone. I and the MAJORITY of graduates never experienced what you experienced, so don't try and cut down one of our own as a lesser because you had a "different" experience. I thought sites and organizations like the one Ms. Steptoe has maintained these many years were to combat such thinking.

Less than polite responses to Mr. Joo's opinion. I'm shocked that such high-ranking officers and alumni were so quick to judge Mr. Joo's personal credentials after his statement of frustration toward the email chain. Those who ranted at him like he was Al Qaeda have no idea who he is, what he was like as a cadet, etc. You simply took his three/four sentence email and attached your PRECONCEIVED notions to him. Is this really a "minority" group whose goal is to help each other because of our social/ethnic bond? It doesn't appear that way. In fact, I think that type of behavior is exactly why groups like these are formed. Also, the "did you (insert self-defacing activity here)?"-rant was slightly amusing, almost clever, but completely off the point. I (and many other cadets) did all of those things but did so without your final message.

West Coast versus Option Offense. Interesting topic that represents "SO MUCH MORE" than just a game. Does a play involving a fullback have that much weight in our lives? Does an atheltic quarterback who can handle the triple option affect those cadets who are going into one of the most challenging combat environments a junior officer will every have to face? Towards the focus of this group, does having the "balls and brains" for answering football strategy help our minority family with the rigors and challenges of cadet, officer, and post-Army life? I doubt not a single one of us would INTELLIGENTLY say yes to any of these questions. If you do, then please take a step back, look at yourself in the mirror, and ask yourself these questions again.

I am as big and avid an Army football fan as the next former grad, but I will never cut down or "blacklist" a FORMER COMRADE IN ARMS just because he doesn't enjoy reading about football.

We all should feel ashamed of ourselves. Don't let "US" become our own worst enemy.