Von-T Demands Justice

Strive to be a warrior and a scholar. Be forged by fire and tempered by knowledge."—Thucydides

After he refused to comply with vague and seemingly unlawful orders to remove his music videos from social media, the U.S. Army captain known to his fans as Von-T was convicted of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice and deprived of needed medical services. In response, a petition is now calling for Congress to pass legislation guaranteeing a safe space in the military for service members to express their grievances when they think their rights have been violated. It's part of Operation Hellfighter, a campaign named in honor of James Reese Europe. Europe's musical ensemble, as well as his fellow African-American soldiers who served in France during World War I, were called the Harlem Hellfighters. Europe overcame cruel resistance and was eventually recognized internationally as an innovative bandleader, arranger and composer. Over 100 years later, Von-T is encountering the same sort of harassment Europe endured when his proto-jazz music was denounced as immoral.

As Von-T's videos are popular on YouTube and Instagram, it's not apparent what purity test he failed to pass, or what he must do to simply create art without being tormented by a superior officer. Operation Hellfighter endeavors to end such persecution on behalf of all service members.

Von-T's commander objected to this video in particular even though it's not too racy for YouTube:

Von-T established a Facebook group aimed at exposing discrimination in the military that so far has attracted over 11,000 members, and he recently explained how widespread the problem is on U.S. Tour of Duty's new podcast, HomeFront Rising.

Santa Pequeña, CA pub Orwell's is planning a series of events featuring Von-T and other artists and speakers who reject the notion that making hip-hop videos is conduct unbecoming an officer, and who are intent on upholding justice. Orwell's welcomes robust dialogue, and the patrons there often find themselves in probing conversations. The Drink Tank, a group of regulars who meet at the pub to carry out research and advocacy over cocktails and appetizers, has issued a call to action in support of Von-T.

The Drink Tank is more scrupulous than your average bear. These are imbibers (including teetotalers) who feel the pain of their ideological adversaries, whereas most progressives and conservatives barely even recognize one another's concerns. The moral imperative of the Drink Tank is that everyone is entitled to express themselves without facing punishment for saying the "wrong" thing. That zeal for an open exchange of ideas is driving their efforts to curate an eclectic roster of performers, presenters and pundits.

The key is to lure intellectually honest influencers who understand the need to collaborate with those who harbor opposing views. Everyone wants to be heard, and anyone who's ever been silenced resents it. The path to dignity lies in speaking one's mind regardless of political affiliations.

But outrage over various attempts to curtail speech has too often been fragmented. Some people are upset that Joe Rogan was targeted. Others are more worried about libraries banning books such as Maus. The Drink Tank is connecting the dots, and new bedfellows are hatching plans to advance common goals.

Former Democratic congresswoman and Iraq War veteran Tulsi Gabbard crossed party lines to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando on February 26. She and event organizers had been criticized for the booking, as if interparty fellowship should be shunned.

"This kind of tribalism is dangerous and it's emblematic of an erosion of a spiritual foundation in this country," she said.

Gabbard also slammed the "power elite" for resorting to smears instead of engaging in debate or discussion.

"But what's even more dangerous than this threat of being canceled is the federal government wielding its power and might to punish those who dare to question or disagree with them and their policies," she contended.

If he follows Gabbard's example when he's discharged from the Army on March 14, Von-T could very well distinguish himself as another veteran who puts country before party for the greater good.