April 18, 2021
As shrapnel and earth rained over Elliot Ackerman’s humvee after an explosion in Iraq, his identity transformed. Ackerman was no longer only a ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps; he was also a combat veteran.
On Thursday, the College hosted Ackerman for a lecture titled “Everett P. Pope.” During his talk, the journalist, author and Purple Heart recipient explored the dangers of a public discourse defined by identity, contextualized by his experience in the Armed Forces.
“Late in my military service, I came to understand how my identity accorded me deference in certain situations,” Ackerman said during his lecture. “The ability to silence the dissent of those who disagree with me when discussing, say, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some might say this is appropriate. That I have earned it. I don’t think so. ”