Legion should change culture

To the editor:

I suggest that Bob Jones reconsider his proposal for an American Legion post for women ('Legion proposes post for women veterans,” June 12).

While his intentions are honorable, he stumbles in the human relations department by offering to create a post for women who are distressed over what he calls 'the good olé boy syndrome” prevalent at many legion posts.

Thoughts of 'separate but equal” come readily to mind. We've tried such simplistic schemes before and the problem doesn't solve itself when you put it in another place and shut the door. There is no problem with women vets. There is a problem with a legion post culture that doesn't gracefully admit women into the life of the post. Legion members can do better.

It seems to me that a thorough examination of the 'good olé boy” culture and its pernicious effect on the lives of women vets is more appropriate than creating a 'women-only” American Legion post.

Rev. Jeff Briere

Peoples Church

Cedar Rapids