Mattathias Schwartz did a profile for The New York Times Magazine today on Jack Dailey, the North Carolina man that teaches people to shoot rifles at his Appleseed Project. So far Appleseed has taught 25,000 people to shoot; 7,000 more will learn by the end of this year.
In the article Daily made a homophobic comment:
On my last day in North Carolina, Dailey and I visited a Revolutionary War battlefield an hour’s drive from the warehouse. We walked through the wooded site as joggers and couples passed us on the trail. We came to a stop at two cannon replicas beside what had once been colonial lines. Dailey paraphrased what he called “the gay quote,” John Adams’s sentiment that he would study war, so his sons could study business and agriculture, so their sons could study the arts. “What a bad plan!” Dailey said. “The bad people of the world are still going to be there in three generations. So your grandson better know something about war. You can’t just have the third generation sitting around, ballet dancing, playing pianos and talking dilettante talk.”
Fortunately, Truth Wins Out wrote an article about the comments and, as a result, Daily apologized:
“Youch! That was a stupid way to say what I meant and was rather inconsiderate to say the least. I apologize for that old phrase of language which no longer has a place in polite discourse. Now, if you have specific questions about our program, I would be happy for Joshua to explain anything that you have questions about and I hope some day to meet you on the line at an event. Thank you.”
It’s important for me to make clear that “Appleseed is friends to all”.
We try hard not to have any enemies, but to be a positive influence in all our actions.
I personally try to make that my motto, and when I say something stupid which causes hurt to others, it causes even more hurt to me.
So, sorry, guys – hope you’ll forgive me.
Apology accepted. We all make mistakes, so don’t worry about it.
However, it is nice to see people take responsibility for their comments and actions and respond in a swift matter. I am pleased to find that Appleseed is open and inclusive.
Thank you, Jack.
