In this opinion essay for The New York Times, Elliot Ackerman reflects on veterans, public perception, and his own instinct to protect the image of American service members.
Writing in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol attack and ahead of the release of Cherry, Ackerman examines how veterans are portrayed in politics, media, film, and American culture.
Veterans, Identity, and Public Perception
Ackerman explores the tension between defending veterans from harmful stereotypes and acknowledging real problems within the veteran community, including extremism, addiction, suicide, and reintegration.
Cherry and the Veteran Story
The essay considers the film Cherry, based on Nico Walker’s autobiographical novel, and asks who has the right to tell stories about war, trauma, and military service.
Art, War, and Shared Humanity
At its center, the piece argues that veterans alone should not control the conversation about veterans, and that art can reveal truths about war, identity, and American life.