Posted on 09/29/2017 2:40:59 PM PDT by Kaslin
Warning: Offensive Language
At a time when discussions of race and racism are constantly in and out of the news cycle, another incident, this time at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Preparatory School, is furthering the discussion of the two in America.
Racist slurs were found on five whiteboards outside the rooms of five black preparatory cadets. The slur, written in black dry-erase marker, said, "Go home n******."
The individual or individuals who wrote the racist message have yet to be identified.
Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Jay Silveria took the time to address all the cadets at the United States Air Force Academy.
The superintendent stated:
You may have heard that some people down in the prep school wrote some racial slurs on some message boards ... If you're outraged by those words, then you're in the right place. That kind of behavior has no place at the prep school, it has no place at USAFA, and it has no place in the United States Air Force. You should be outraged not only as an Airman but as a human being.
The superintendent praised the diversity of the Air Force and stated that diversity made them strong. He did not hold back on his thoughts of those who promote racism either. Without hesitation, the lieutenant general said, "If you can't treat someone with dignity and respect, then get out."
As the investigation is underway, it will be important to find the truth and those responsible. Anyone involved should be found and held accountable, whether it be a real instance of racism or if it turns out to be a hoax.
Lt Gen Silveria said one other thing that rang out.
"No one can write on a board and take away our ideals," he stated.
These words do not just apply to USAFA and the military. They can be applied to the nation as a whole. As a nation that is already polarized down political lines and becoming polarized along racial lines by the day, it is important to understand that racists and race baiters cannot take away what we stand for as a country.
For those who protest NFL players for taking a knee during the national anthem, for those who consider the players to be unpatriotic for their behavior, now is a good time, whether this instance is true or not, to condemn racism and thank, regardless of their race, gender, or religion, all those who serve this great nation.
Watch Lt Gen Silveria's address below:
Lt Gen Silveria addresses cadets about racism incident
First thought that crossed my mind when I heard it.
Yep!
If it's a poorly thought out prank then I'd rather not have idiots like that in the Air Force and they should be ejected. If this is a hoax then I'd rather not have idiots like that in the Air Force either and they should be ejected as well.
I would think they had surveillance cameras in the area, but perhaps not, since the perp would know that.
So you're saying this is Constitutionally protected free speech?
Why?
Exactly.
That garbage has no place anywhere in this country! For real or hoax.
Because he gave credence to something that he didn’t vet.
Good lord. You could look into a bowl of alphabet soup and read a novel out of it. Look at what I excerpted. It shows to what I am replying.
“Conservative” talk show host Michael Medved ran with the story and praised the superintendent’s speech. I would not have run with it until it was shown not to be a false-flag deed or a prank.
It’s called being a leader. That’s what leaders do.
Ikey hadn’t learned yrt from a mean SGT yet, that the Only Coloor in the USAF is BLUE!!!!
Wait a second. Isn't Gen. Silveria's immediate subordinate (the Commandant of Cadets, Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin, USAFA Class of '93) a lesbian woman married to another lesbian woman (her "wife") and they have 2 kids (not their own, obviously) and they are living openly together in Base quarters?
I'm not confused about the moral outrage on the one hand - but I am confused about the lack of moral outrage on the other. It appears writing the "n" word is more of a moral outrage than an open, perverted sexual relationships among the very high ranking person who is supposed to be the military caretaker and example to all cadets in the Wing.
General Silveria might better get off his high horse and think of just what constitutes a "moral outrage" in all cases - not just the most recently politically correct one.
General George Washington certainly would not be confused by all this moral jiu-jitsu and high dudgeonry. My guess is he would roundly condemn both.
You can’t assume this was by actual racist who happens to be white. Quite probable this was done either by BLM-type or someone with an issue with the AF.
Beautiful post. Par four is fabulous.
“The left sees the Constitution as an irrelevant piece of paper. If we cannot agree on the very fundamentals, then the concepts that are derived from them will never converge.”
Lt Gen Jay Silveria’s next ‘star’ is in the balance. So he’s going to turn the place upside down.
But the pleasant surprises are becoming fewer and fewer.
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