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On November 17, 1979, Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini ordered the release of 13 female and black American hostages being held at
the US Embassy in Tehran.
Sgt Quarles gave a short speech to the media. He repeated what we all know now, and that is that the Government of the
U.S. made some serious mistakes about Iran, and that he was educated quite a bit on just what the Shah was doing to the Iranian
People.
None of this justified their taking of our embassy.
Some viewed his speech as an act of cowardice.
I won't say that. They were letting him go home, while all the others were forced to stay. I am sure that was on his mind,
that when he spoke on camera, he was to tow the line!
What I am upset with in this, is the attempt by the Iranians
to start racial tensions here by this act. They made clear statements that Black Americans were mistreated by their government,
and they were releasing these Black Americans to show solidarity with them. Knowing this, as a Marine, Quarles and Maples
could have done an honorable thing and insist they stay with their Marine brothers and other Americans. But I am glad I never
had to make that decision myself, and if I was there with them, I would tell them to go home and be safe as soon as possible.
Those men went through more than I ever did and ever hope to, and I wish them well, Quarels and Maples.
This attempt
to incite racial hatred here backfired, though. While America still has a way to go in racial relations on both sides, who
do these people think they are after their own countries history of slavery and hatred of Christians and Jews?
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