There is an iconic scene in the classic movie, “Stripes,” in which Bill Murray and Harold Ramis, reluctant recruits, are in their first day of basic training. Drill Sgt. Hulka is having each new recruit introduce himself to the platoon. Francis Soyer is the first to reveal himself and he warns his fellow recruits, “Any of you guys call me Francis, I’ll kill you.” Hulka, played by the great character actor Warren Oates, just rolls his eyes and says, “Lighten up, Francis.”
I would like to apply this scene to Hakeem Jeffries and his ballistic reaction to the meme that had him wearing a sombrero and mustache. He claims it was a racist post by racist Republicans. Where is Sgt. Hulka when we need him? Has Hakeem never been to a Mexican restaurant? Whenever I go to Don Cuco’s to celebrate a birthday, the server always brings out a sombrero for the birthday boy or girl to wear. We never stomp out of the restaurant saying, “That is a racist gesture.” We put on the sombrero, model it for pictures, and then explain how good it looks.
If it is your birthday, Hakeem, “Happy birthday.” If you are auditioning for a mariachi band, “Good luck. You look good in a sombrero.” If you are still ranting about racist sombreros, to paraphrase Sgt. Hulka, “Lighten up, Hakeem.”
Larry Moore
Valencia
