TOW #21 Political Cartoon

Writing goal: Strong tie to thesis
Reading goal: Political Cartoon

     It is shocking that even today people hold prejudices and are filled with hate. Though they have gained rights in many states, members of the LBGT community face discrimination each and every day. Unfortunately, this discrimination extents to brave men and women who are willing to risk their lives in the military. Gay and lesbian soldiers often have to serve "in the closet", or keep their sexuality a secret out of fear of being discharged or demoted. This political cartoon attacks the prejudices faced by gay soldiers. It uses symbolic imagery and a rhetorical question to establish that a soldier's sexual orientation is not important.
      The cartoon features three coffins, each covered in an American flag, a powerful symbol of service to the American military. The covered coffin is a symbol of sacrifice in America, as it represents a serviceman or servicewoman who has died in the line of duty. Showing them in the cartoon is intended to generate feelings of admiration and respect for the fallen heros of our military. Since these people gave the ultimate sacrifice, their life, it shouldn't matter whether or not they were gay. The only thing that should matter is their bravery and loyalty to their country.
     However, this powerful conclusion would not be reached without the aid of the rhetorical question at the bottom of the cartoon, which reads: "Which is the gay one?". The question is effective because it cannot be answered. There is no way to tell which of the three soldiers was gay, and that is the point. In the end it doesn't matter if they were gay or not, as they did the same service and gave the same sacrifice as straight soldiers.
     This cartoon shows through symbolism and rhetorical question that a soldier's sexuality does not matter. A person should be judged by their character not by the gender of the person they love. It's sad that people who are willing to risk their lives are scared to be themselves because of some of the very people they protect. Hopefully someday we will live in a world without this kind of discrimination.