Iconic VJ-Day kiss photo banned by Biden Administration

[Ralph Wiggum]

Iconic WWII Victory Kiss Photo Banned by Veterans Administration for 'Non-Consensual Act'



In a surprising move that has stirred both controversy and debate, the Veterans Administration (VA) has reportedly banned the display of Alfred Eisenstadt's famous photograph of a couple kissing on V-J Day, marking the end of World War II. This decision, grounded in the photo's portrayal of a 'non-consensual act,' reflects a significant shift in the interpretation of historical images and their place within modern societal values.

The photograph in question, captured by the celebrated photographer Alfred Eisenstadt, has long been celebrated as an emblem of joy and relief at the conclusion of World War II. However, a memo allegedly circulating online from the VA has sparked a reevaluation of the image's appropriateness for public display in its facilities. According to this document, the decision to ban the photo was made by RimaAnn Nelson, Assistant Under Secretary for Operations, citing concerns over the depiction of a 'non-consensual act.' The directive further advises those with inquiries to contact Lelia Jackson, Director of the Assault and Protection Office, although attempts to reach the VA for comment have reportedly gone unanswered.

https://bnnbreaking.com/politics/iconic-wwii-victory-kiss-photo-banned-by-veterans-administration-for-non-consensual-act

Can't vouch for this site, but just heard about this on the ol' radio in the past hour.

Editing to add from a reputable site that this has been rescinded.

VA reverses plan to ban iconic WWII kiss photo from medical sites

Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough is overruling plans to ban the famous Times Square kiss photo marking the end of World War II from all department health care facilities, a move criticized as political correctness run amok.

The ban was announced internally at VA medical facilities late last month in a memo from RimaAnn Nelson, the Veterans Health Administration’s top operations official. Employees were instructed to “promptly” remove any depictions of the famous photo and replace it with imagery deemed more appropriate.

“The photograph, which depicts a non-consensual act, is inconsistent with the VA’s no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault,” the memo stated.

“To foster a more trauma-informed environment that promotes the psychological safety of our employees and the veterans we serve, photographs depicting the ‘V-J Day in Times Square’ should be removed from all Veterans Health Administration facilities.”

The memo garnered public scrutiny after it was posted online by the X account EndWokeness on Tuesday.

https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2024/03/05/va-reverses-plan-to-ban-iconic-wwii-kiss-photo-from-medical-sites/

[Old n Grumpy]

Exactly how does this left-wing a hole know that it was nonconsensual? And why is it that one person in the side for everyone in the country? What’s appropriate for us to see?
The guy should be fired

[enslaved1]

What important stuff was the VA ignoring while making this decision and then rescinding it? 

That is such an issue with the last several decades of government.  They focus on penny ante garbage like this while their real responsibilities lay on the wayside.

[Ralph Wiggum]

What important stuff was the VA ignoring while making this decision and then rescinding it? 

That is such an issue with the last several decades of government.  They focus on penny ante garbage like this while their real responsibilities lay on the wayside.

That iconic photo is way too white and heterosexual.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Apparently this has been picked up by a few more reputable folks:

GOP lawmakers rip VA for memo to remove iconic WW II victory kiss photo, demand author be fired
RimaAnn Nelson said 'concerns' about the 'non-consensual nature' of the iconic 1945 kiss photo warranted its removal from all VA health centers

FIRST ON FOX — Two Republican lawmakers are calling for the removal of a Veterans Affairs official responsible for a since-rescinded memo that directed the removal of the iconic V-J Day in Times Square photograph from VA health care centers.

Montana Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont. wrote to VA Secretary Denis McDonough after an X account, "End Wokeness," published a memo sent from Assistant Under Secretary for Health Operations RimaAnn Nelson last week.

In the memo, Nelson called for the historic photo of a Navy sailor kissing a woman in Times Square on V-J Day in 1945 to be removed from all VA medical buildings because it doesn’t foster a "more trauma-informed environment that promotes psychological safety."

"This action is promoted by the recognition that the photograph, which depicts a non-consensual act, is inconsistent with the VA's no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault, as outlined in VA Handbook," the memo states.

Secretary McDonough overrode the memo in a statement Tuesday.

"Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities, and we will keep it in VA facilities," McDonough said.

A VA spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital the memo was sent out but should not have been, and it has been rescinded.

But the lawmakers are demanding Nelson’s firing over the "politically driven memo."

They called the memo "only the most recent in a long line of misguided actions and woke agendas dictating the management of the VA."

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-lawmakers-rip-va-for-memo-to-remove-iconic-ww-ii-victory-kiss-photo-demand-firing-of-bureaucrat-author

[enslaved1]

Apparently this has been picked up by a few more reputable folks:

GOP lawmakers rip VA for memo to remove iconic WW II victory kiss photo, demand author be fired
RimaAnn Nelson said 'concerns' about the 'non-consensual nature' of the iconic 1945 kiss photo warranted its removal from all VA health centers

FIRST ON FOX — Two Republican lawmakers are calling for the removal of a Veterans Affairs official responsible for a since-rescinded memo that directed the removal of the iconic V-J Day in Times Square photograph from VA health care centers.

Montana Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont. wrote to VA Secretary Denis McDonough after an X account, "End Wokeness," published a memo sent from Assistant Under Secretary for Health Operations RimaAnn Nelson last week.

In the memo, Nelson called for the historic photo of a Navy sailor kissing a woman in Times Square on V-J Day in 1945 to be removed from all VA medical buildings because it doesn’t foster a "more trauma-informed environment that promotes psychological safety."

"This action is promoted by the recognition that the photograph, which depicts a non-consensual act, is inconsistent with the VA's no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault, as outlined in VA Handbook," the memo states.

Secretary McDonough overrode the memo in a statement Tuesday.

"Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities, and we will keep it in VA facilities," McDonough said.

A VA spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital the memo was sent out but should not have been, and it has been rescinded.

But the lawmakers are demanding Nelson’s firing over the "politically driven memo."

They called the memo "only the most recent in a long line of misguided actions and woke agendas dictating the management of the VA."

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-lawmakers-rip-va-for-memo-to-remove-iconic-ww-ii-victory-kiss-photo-demand-firing-of-bureaucrat-author

Funny how quickly some (R)s jump on such bait, but dawdle on getting meaningful changes.  Zink hasn't been in there too long, Daines has been in DC for a bit, looks like a decent voting record, so this may not be the best example of that, but it's still an issue.  Republicans bloviate and virtue signal just as much as Democrats, but when it's time to for the rubber to meet the road, we don't see bills written, fought for, or passed even when there are R majorities.