Sins of Omission -- What the Daily Oklahoman Leaves Out

Moderator's note: Robyn's article follows this introduction

Readers,

Robyn Lemon Sellers, the daughter of Bob Lemon, is a chip off the old block when it comes to defending and advocating for gay/lesbian equality.

The Lemon family is one of the staunchest and most supportive Democratic grassroots families in Oklahoma. All progressive Democrats would be the poorer in spirit if it were not for their collective efforts on behalf of a better state and country.

In the OK Gazette of August 22, on page 15, is a paid advertisement placed by Ms. Lemon Sellers that clearly outlines the scurrilous nature of the editorial page of the Joke-lahoman, dba, Oklahoman, otherwise known as the worst daily newspaper in the USA as summarized by the Columbia Journalism Review.

The Joke-homan removed from Robyn's previously submitted YOUR VIEW letter the first and last sentences where she writes that homophobia in Boy Scout policy is a waste of opportunity and she uses her own gay Eagle Scout twin brother as an example of the kind of person the Boy Scouts is discriminating against.

With the deletion of the sentences pointing out the failure of homophobia to suppress her brother's nature, the Joke-lahoman changes the direction of Ms. Lemon Sellers's article into one of praise and thanks for that same homophobia, which is not the intent of her article when read completely.

Ms. Lemon Sellers demonstrates the truth, while the Joke-lahoman denies the facts about the positive contributions gay/lesbian citizens make to our state and country.

As the Scouting oath begins, "On my honor..." and as the Joke-lahoman supports Scouting, where is the honor of the Joke-lahoman in deliberately changing the tenor of a submitted letter that is contrary to the ignorance of the editorial board's POV?

The ad contains her complete letter and is not available online, so you'll need to get a paper copy at displays in many restaurants, cafes, grocery stores and public libraries in the OKC metro area.

James Nimmo, Oklahoma City


Paid Advertisement

Sins of Omission
What the Daily Oklahoman Leaves Out

In response to The Oklahoman's August 1 front-page story, "Saluting a Century of Scouting," I wrote the following letter:

Dear Editor:

Your front-page story, "Saluting a Century of Scouting," was bittersweet for me, and probably for many others. The benefits of scouting are definitely self-evident, as I recall growing up in the Texas panhandle with a twin brother who was constantly working on merit badges, attending meetings, and doing many worthwhile activities that enabled him to become an Eagle Scout, the organization's highest honor. By learning leadership and gaining confidence, Chrys was later able to seek and attain an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, to graduate, to learn to fly, to work at the Pentagon.

Today, these same qualities have helped this 50-year-old community-minded individual maintain a successful law practice in Washington, DC, serve as an elder in his church, and regularly prepare hot nutritious breakfasts for some of DC's inner-city homeless.

But also today, because of their policy regarding homosexuality, the Boy Scouts of America will not accept people like my brother, who are openly gay.

What a tragedy that such a great institution has such a misinformed understanding of human sexuality.

[end of letter]


When The Oklahoman printed my letter in their opinion page column, "YOUR VIEWS", they deleted the first and last sentences, effectively canceling out my opinion and silencing MY VIEW.

Homophobia impacts our state and our nation. If given the opportunity, it is possible for people to unlearn homophobia. But that requires open, honest, unfiltered communication; something one would expect from a responsible statewide newspaper, particularly in a section they call "Your Views."

Robyn Lemon Sellers
Oklahoma City, OK

From the Oklahoma Gazette, August 22, 2007, page 15

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