For some, black POW's treatment points up double standard

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/politics/7210258.htm

WASHINGTON - (KRT) - On Sunday, NBC will air its made-for-TV movie celebrating Pvt. Jessica Lynch, whose capture and dramatic rescue is the feel-good story of America's war with Iraq.

But some African-Americans don't feel so good about Lynch's story. Instead, they ask: What about Shoshana Johnson?

Johnson, an Army specialist, belonged to the same 507th Maintenance Company as Lynch. Unlike Lynch, Johnson fought to stave off their Iraqi captors. Like Lynch, she sustained serious injuries.

But only Lynch got the headlines, the TV movie, the prime-time television interviews and a biography penned by a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer. Lynch, in short, got the full American celebrity treatment, while Johnson largely got ignored. Many African-Americans think that's simply because she didn't have the right "face."

African-American suspicions of a racial double standard were reinforced last month when it was revealed that Johnson, who was shot in both ankles, will get only 30 percent of her monthly pay in disability benefits. Lynch, who had a head injury and broken bones in her right arm, right leg, thighs and ankle, will get 80 percent disability pay. Lynch's new book, "I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story," claims that she also was raped and sodomized by her Iraqi captors.
<snip>

Ya' think?

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Size of disability compensation is based on exactly how disabled ...

...the military doctor determines you to be. My father collected a small Army disability pension for years until his death.

Although you are correct in that Johnson had the wrong face to get all the publicity.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

10. Johnson is also a single mother...

...and you know how the Bushies feel about that, don't you?

Wrong color, wrong marital status, and had the misfortune NOT to be taken to a nearby Iraqi hospital.

[gardenista]

2. Here is an article about Lynch and Johnson being photographed

together for the Glamour "Woman of the Year" story. Both. Together.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031104/nytu039_1.html


I wish we could hear from each of these young women, themselves, about the disparity with which the media has treated their stories.

It bears noting that Jessica Lynch did not ask for the Bronze Star. It was given to her. If it was given to her because she's white, or blonde, or whatever, that is not her doing. I suppose she could have refused it. Is that what people would like to see?

I also bears noting that the upcoming propaganda-fest, "Saving Private Lynch", is not a film that was approved by Lynch or her family.

I hope that Shoshanna Johnson writes a book about her experience. I, for one, would be very interested in reading it.

[J B]

11. What's this, 'the media'?

Lynch said THE PENTAGON shouldn't have handled her story as it did. Isn't the reason the media ran with this because THE PENTAGON pushed it?

Wake up, people.

[Gman]

3. Gee, there's a lot of people at this thread

that don't want to see the blantant racism at work here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=671501

[0007]

9. ah, er we're waiting for Ashcroft to lead!

[MrPrax]

4. Dumb question alert?

Why don't both of them get 100% and what type of 'battle field' injuries constitutes the 'full meal' deal?
They both could have done better in a car wreck, IMHO

[gardenista]

5. Not a dumb question at all.

I think they should both get 100%.

But I don't think it's fair to personally blame Jessica Lynch for getting more than Shoshanna Johnson. I hope Johnson's family keeps fighting for her rights.

[peacetalksforall]

6. Blatant racism

Bronze star.
Movie deal.
Book deal.
80-30 compensation.
All the attention and devotion of the administration and media.

Now that makes Jessica a great big heroine and a name in history.

And our friend Shoshana is just one of the little people getting rained on again like little people everywhere. You could say Shoshana is 50% less a person than Jessica in the eyes of the regime.

Will someone tell me again what she did to deserve a Bronze Star and what her compatriots did not do?

[Walt Starr]

8. I honestly do not believe the 50% number you cite!

There is no way in hell I will ever believe the administration considers Shoshana Johnson 50% of a person. No way in hell!

Give them credit. I'm certain they consider her 3/5ths of a person. There's historical precedence for that number in their minds.

[saigon68]

7. I am not going to watch that Fictional Horseshit

I will do something else, on sunday Night!!!!

This story reeks of propaganda. Another LIE that someday will be exposed---

Kind of like the incubator babies thrown on the floor in Kuwait and the RAPE CAMPS in Kosovo.

Disgusting filthy LIES !!!!

[gardenista]

13. Interesting that you bring that up.

The movie is more about the Iraqi lawyer who claims to have rescued her. It is not authorized by Lynch or her family. AND, guess who the PR person is for the Iraqi lawyer. Yes, the same folks that brought you the incubator story.

[ninkasi]

12. My own opinion, for what it's worth...

is that a movie, and a book about Shoshona Johnson's experiences would, if anything, be more dramatic than Ms. Lynch's. I can remember when I first saw the news showing Ms. Johnson when she was being held prisoner. My heart went out to her, she looked absolutely terrified.

Ms. Lynch was spared the memory of much of her ordeal. I'm certainly not trying to belittle her, or what she was doing, but I think Ms. Johnson's story, instead of being puffed up as a self-serving (by the administration, anyway) little bit of feel-good, happy, happy news, aren't we great thing...would show the very real struggles of a woman alone, trying to raise a small child, and being ignored by her government and the media.

To me, Shoshana's treatment compared to Jessica's is symbolic of a lot that's wrong in America today. Sorry I can't explain myself better, and I hope I'm making sense.