I Prefer The Seven Nation Army

Every December the Salvation Army mails me at least a half-dozen solicitations for a financial donation. Every year I write on the envelopes “RETURN TO SENDER. I DON’T CONDONE BIGOTRY,” and yet they continue to ask for my money.

Perhaps you’ve heard that the Salvation Army has a history of homophobia. Google “Salvation Army homophobia” and read about people allegedly turned away by the charity due to their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, people allegedly fired from the organization for their sexual orientation, efforts made by the Army to keep LGBT people from having the same rights as their non-LGBT neighbors, allegations of a hostile work environment, their efforts to not be subject to anti-discrimination laws, and bell-ringers refusing donations from people who support LGBT equality. Their explanation has been that they’re a Christian organization, and you know what the Bible says about charity and thy neighbor and minorities in the workplace.

On the surface, the organization appears to have tempered some of their views about LGBT citizens over time. However, there are many organizations that help people in need who have no public record that needs defending. My charitable donations go to them.

So why am I bringing up the Salvation Army today? It’s not because I’m doing my holiday shopping now. Hanukkah doesn’t begin until early December; therefore, Hanukkah shopping doesn’t begin until mid-December.

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Today is Jack White’s fortieth birthday. When he was a child he thought the Salvation Army was called the Seven Nation Army. As an adult, he used “Seven Nation Army” as a song title for his duo The White Stripes.

Here are twenty of Jack White’s finest moments.


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