DISRESPECT: Brg. General Charles McGee and the legacy of the Tuskeegee Airmen reduced by Trump honoring Rush Limbaugh

By Mona Austin

In an effort to refract attention from the spotlight on his impeachment, during the 2020 State of the Union Address (SOTU), Pres. Donald Trump traversed decorum and protocol offering special recognition. He honored two men, one of them a complete shock -- Rush Limbaugh. The other, Gen. Charles McGee.

Said the POTUS, "Thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country.  Rush, in recognition of all that you have done for our Nation, the millions of people a day that you speak to and inspire, and all of the incredible work that you have done for charity I am proud to announce tonight that you will be receiving our country's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom."  Then, First Lady Melania Trump proceeded to present the distinguished medal to Limbaugh from her guest box.

WATCH: Whoopi and The View panelits Meghan McCain feud over Limbaugh receiving the Medal of Freedom

Is Rush Limbaugh qualified to receive a presidential honor?, I thought to myself, rhetorically.

As an Air Force wife and member of the press, not only did I question why the media provocateur was given "the highest civilian honor," but also why it was done at the SOTU in front of a captive national audience. One thing you learn as a military spouse is that protocol must be followed at all times. This personal award show was a drastic departure from the norm, albeit a "first" to my recollection.

The presentation of the presidential medal is usually reserved for ceremonies at the White House. Earlier in the day, in the Oval Office Pres. Trump had pinned a new rank on the 100-year-old Tuskeegee Airman, then Col. Charles McGee, separately. It was proper to acknowledge the honors bestowed upon both men at the event, but placing the medal of distinction around Limbaugh's neck was not becoming of the setting. Furthermore, in getting this massive amount of attention, Limbaugh was propped up on a political pedestal that inappropriately dramatized the occasion and elevated the vitriolic radio host who has attacked millions of people with hate speech over his 30-year career, to the same level of prestige as a distinguished serviceman. It was galling.

The gesture was not welcome in the Deomocrat-led House of Representatives.

"Do it in your own office," retorted House Speaker Pelosi about giving the medal in a post-SOTU interview, adding they do not do congressional business in his office.

.

In my opinion Col. McGee, one of the first Black fighter pilots in the nation, is a national treasure. His "promotion" to the honorary rank of Brigadier General by the president was evidently a source of pride when he rose 4 times to an extended standing ovation. Pres. Trump signed the bill that prompted the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020, which authorized the honorary promotion of McGee from Colonel to Brigadier General. McGee undoubtedly deserved such a salute. It was more special as his great-grand son, Iiam Lamphier, an aspiring astronaut stood next to him, who Trump also recognized. That high-perch moment should have been his alone to savor.

"I was offended by the fact that he was sing a Tuskeegee Airman as a prop," said The View panelist Sunny Hostin in an exchange with co-host Meghan McCain.

The president also subtly disrespected McGee and the entire Tuskeegee Airmen legacy by repeatedly referring to a Black military officer by his surname instead of his title, defying military and social norms. When introducing another soldier that night he called him sergeant. He referred to Mr. McGee by his first name twice and twice by his first and last name, leaving out a title each time. For emphasis, the verbatim excerpt from the president's speech follows:

"Charles McGee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, one century ago.  Charles is one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen -- the first black fighter pilots -- and he also happens to be Iain's great-grandfather.  After more than 130 combat missions in World War II, he came back to a country still struggling for Civil Rights and went on to serve America in Korea and Vietnam.  On December 7th, Charles celebrated his 100th birthday.  A few weeks ago, I signed a bill promoting Charles McGee to Brigadier General.  And earlier today, I pinned the stars on his shoulders in the Oval Office.  General McGee:  Our Nation salutes you."

Using a title is expected when referring to any military member, but especially an officer. Were McGee one of the many military generals in Trump's cabinet he would be given the due respect of being referred to as a "general" throughout the president's remarks. The same standard should apply to any member of the Armed Forces. Everyone knows this. Ev-ery-one!

I don't want to cloud a positive experience with excessive criticism because I recognize the president lauding both men was well-intentioned and a quotient of Black and White people have accepted it as such. However, whether it was a speech-writer's error or the president's fault, this slip-up can not be overlooked because this story happens in the context of Black History Month, in a moment while Black History was being made in real time.

Former Vice President Joe Biden weighed in on the controversy in a statement praised McGee as "the real American hero in the gallery," while calling Limbaugh "a conservative media personality who has done as much as Trump himself to divide our nation."

I write this for people who say, "Black people are never satisfied," or "Black people are always playing the victim" or "It's not that serious." When you are a member of a racial group that had to fight for basic human rights, and one of your elders is being slighted right before your eyes by the same president who relentlessly tries the blot out the existence of the first Black President, Barack Obama -- in the same speech -- such a scenario demands that your illuminate the folly. This is an opportunity to point out an offensive pattern, take advantage of a teachable moment in Black History, and recognize the micro-aggressive behavior in our leader that impacts full scale race relations.

Black Americans have been offended by the president's passivity towards a black soldier when he attempted to carry out good intentions before.

Remember this? During a condolence call  to widow Myeshia Johnson, the president seemed to forget her husband's name. Sgt. La David Johnson, a Green Beret, had been killed in Niger.  Johnson later explained on Good Morning America: “The only way he remembered my husband’s name was because he told me he had my husband’s report in front of him. And that’s when he actually said, La David. I heard him stumbling on trying to remember my husband’s name, and that’s what hurt me the most, because if my husband is out here fighting for our country, and he risks his life for our country, why can’t you remember his name?” 

Why couldn't Trump call McGee "mister," "sir," "Colonel" or "General" throughout his brief introduction? 

General McGee has lived long enough the remember a time when he would have been called a "boy" and could not use the same public facilities as Whites.   He would have a certain appreciation for being addressed by a title both in and out of the military.    

Black veterans have had an ambivalent relationship with the military. Despite the fact that Blacks have fought for the nation's freedoms since the Revolutionary War, racism has been a blockade to many African Americans rising through the ranks. A valiant aviator, Gen. McGee is a living historic Black figure. The fact that Mr. McGee was already highly ranked (a Colonel) alone makes him exceptional. He was honored at NASA the following day. Gen. McGee is "well decorated" bearing a record worthy of both an honorary promotion and the Medal or Freedom.
The contrast between Limbaugh and McGee could not be more distinct.

Rush Limbaugh is a man of stature in the media, but does not meet the criteria for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  The presidential medal seeks to recognize  people who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."  A Medal of Freedom recipient may be a civilian or a member of the military.  Arguably his contribution to the nation is not equivalent to anyone in this special  class of citizens. Several media outlets pulled receipts on the copious insults Limbaugh has made in opposition to him being rewarded.

A day earlier, Limbaugh announced he has stage four lung cancer. To the unknowing eye, it would appear that Trump did not want to delay honoring him for his support since he is very ill. Perhaps the president bestowed the medal to the radio show host as an "honorary" accolade under the circumstances. But this was not about his health.
A name synonymous with racism, Rush Limbaugh, has degraded Black people on his show mercilessly. The political shock jock spewed venom at the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. suggesting that statues of the Civil Rights leader be taken down across the country over his alleged marital indiscretions. Following is a quote from Linbaugh in his element is on the attack:

"Quick question, ladies and gentlemen, should all the statues of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King now come down?  Should all of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King boulevards throughout America be renamed?

I ask this because of a story that you can’t find in the Drive-By Media. You cannot find it.  It ran over the weekend, but you can’t find it.  “Sealed FBI audiotapes allege the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had affairs with 40 women and watched while a friend raped a woman, according to a report.”  FBI documents from the sixties… And we don’t doubt the FBI, do we?

These FBI documents from the sixties allege that Dr. King had affairs with 40 woman and stood by as a friend allegedly raped a woman. The biographer David Garrow claimed in memos that King engaged in orgies, solicited prostitutes, and looked on and laughed as a pastor he knew raped a woman.  Not a word from the Drive-By Media on this story.

Imagine what they would say if these things were recorded about Reagan or Jefferson or Washington!"

This excerpt came from a May 2019 airing of "The Rush Limbaugh Show." It is but one example how he is the megaphone for the right-winged echo-chamber of negative narratives.  Let's imagine what he would say about Pres. Trump, Limbaugh's choice leader who dozens of women have accused of extra-martial sexual misconduct. Apparently, nothing. 

Why then, was the legendary political commentator selected to receive the honor? It was a solemnized political move to show all of the people in Trump's base (and in the Rush Limbaugh Show radio audience) that he wants their votes -- just in case. You see, Limbaugh is one of a kind, a loyal Conservative to the core. To lose him, is to lose a friend of the GOP with major benefits.

Recently there were signs that the president relationship with FOX News is souring. In January, after the unilateral take down of Iranian General Qassam Soleimani, Trump did an interview with Limbaugh who tried to help justify his actions and quell fears over the the very real possibility of a war with Iran. The president took advantage of the situation, regardless of how his actions would make Black America feel.

Not only is it saddening to know that Trump politicized the moment, but also the medal places Limbaugh in the company of Rosa Parks and Maya Angelou. The seemingly made-for-TV moment was inappropriate and misplaced for the State of the Union setting. One man was a hero to the nation, the other a hero to one part of it -- White conservatives. The life Limbaugh leads will speak for volumes for him when he is gone and a neck full of medals won't erase his hatred.

Which is why there should be some type of outrage about this. . .

To see a misanthrope share the spotlight with a true American hero during Black History month was an affront to the history we celebrate. You see, my husband is a product of the Tuskeegee University ROTC legacy and served honorably in the U.S. Air Force. I personally have a great sense of pride in the contributions the Tuskeegee Airmen made to the nation. Full respect should accompany the honor that was given to McGee. At the very least, Pres. Trump should have shown some respect for his elder and called him "Mr." He deserved to be addressed with a title appropriate of rank, stature and age.

The Commander-in-Chief, above all, must show equal respect to all members of the armed forces he claims to cherish.