Cadet candidate allegedly targeted by racism found responsible for act

Wishful said:
sherrie said:
there really is no racial tension at the academy.
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I disagree. It would depend on whom you ask. If you held some focus groups with minority cadets you would find that there is tension. Not a surprise since we seem to be about as polarized as we were during Vietnam. I have stories told in confidence so I will not share them here, but if focus groups were held, you would conclude that there are some easily achieved (low $) accommodations that would improve their feelings of acceptance. Feel free to PM me if anyone is interested.
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The original story wasn't about real or imagined minority tensions. It was about outright racist behavior by a cadet or cadets at the Air Force Academy, even though it actually occurred at the Prep School. Many of the reports the I saw only mentioned the prep school in passing, and all of them showed General Silveria addressing all 4,000 plus cadets in his, now famous, condemnation of the despicable actions of the individual or individuals in question.

At the time General Sylveria made that speech, something was nagging at the back of my mind. His statements were unequivocal that racist behavior would not be tolerated, which is an appropriate message. However, it had an accusatory tone that seemed to be directed at all the gathered cadets. What really bothered me was that the speech almost insinuated that there is an under current of outright racism at USAFA. In fact, I wondered to myself if that was the case, and the General was telling everyone, "There's a new sheriff in town, and I'm going to quash this destructive behavior." Of course the media was more than happy to run with that story.

Now that we know this story was a hoax, there is still the unsettled question in my mind. Did the General know something that we still don't? Is there a racist culture, at some level, still brewing at the Academy. I didn't believe that to be the case then, and I don't believe it to be the case now. However, today's statement from the Academy certainly doesn't clear it up. If I were a cadet, I would expect General Silveria to address this behavior with the same veracity and to the entire population as he did the original issue. If the General thinks there is systemic racism at the Academy, he should say it and then address it forcefully. If there isn't, as I suspect, he should make that clear to the media and the cadets. He should also make clear that the actions of this one Prep School student besmirched the reputation and integrity of entire Academy, and that type of behavior can never be tolerated. Until he comes out with a forceful statement about the real circumstances surrounding this episode I would have to wonder, if I were a cadet, does he have my back?
 
Yuck.

The general’s comments still apply. The actions had no place at the AFA and the cadet candidate is no longer at the prep school.

Just a nasty situation.
 
AFrpaso said:
I personally never encountered evidence of systemic racism during my recent stint at the Academy.
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Systemic? Not that I've seen from leadership or the majority of cadets. But, there are racists at USAFA and there are people who are bigoted towards others for whatever reason. I definitely can't claim to understand the experiences of everyone in our class, let alone anyone else's.
 
There is a difference between tension & outright racism.
 
Maplerock said:
CNN... LOL.

I always check Fox News first, which usually has some positive and some negative about President Trump. Then I check CNN. I have both news sites favorited so I can check easily. I challenge you to find any positive reports on CNN about the President. They "spin" (See what I did there?) At every opportunity to try to influence the viewer or reader.
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Both spin their POV as they want eyes or clicks so they play to their base. It's somewhat rare for either side to critique one of their own but it happens. I'm too lazy to look for specific positive CNN reports for the POTUS. But they are out there.

Politically speaking, I'm right down the middle. As with every controversial topic, by definition, it is controversial because the issue isn't as straight forward as either side wants to think. In 2017, critical thinking skills are missing from the minds of most Americans. People have become polarized. Some are in your face if you don't see it their way.

Personally, NPR probably is the least biased (and they are biased). But they try harder not to be and they are MUCH better (NOT perfect) than team CNN or team Fox. Oh how I miss Walter Cronkite....

So yea, the Sup had a little egg on his face. He might have jumped to conclusions (way?) to quickly. Certainly PR had a lot to do with it (damage control, proving he is a leader, etc). And yea, his speech still has relevance. You and I as straight white males are simply never going to completely grasp what some people feel. And yes, some people who often experience racism will jump to a wrong conclusion too quickly. I'm smart enough to look at both perspectives and understand why it happens.

I wish both sides of the spectrum could let-up on the hate. It's sad that to many Americans have lost their ability to think for themselves and lean to heavily on either one of the two main networks. I chuckle when I hear acquaintances merely regurgitates the rhetoric/talking points from their hateful heroes. The destructive attitude comes from both polarized sides of the isle and it is getting old.
 
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MN-Dad-2016 said:
Both spin their POV as they want eyes or clicks so they play to their base. It's somewhat rare for either side to critique one of their own but it happens.
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It is an endless feedback loop.

Michael Lewis's book The Undoing Project explains that we all tend to look for confirmation of our beliefs or justification for our latest actions. Most important we all tend to project into the future what we have most recently observed. The major networks--and yes this includes FNC as well as CNN and MSNBC--indulge their audiences in that weakness. They find a horse to ride and end up flogging it for as long as their audiences Google it. Then go look for another one. It is playing out before our eyes.

The broadcast networks know that we are either too busy or too lazy or simply incapable of understanding complicated issues. It is much easier and cheaper to run an endless loop of Rev. Wright or President Trump's "grab 'em by the p****" remark or Clinton's "basket of deplorable" remark.

MN-Dad-2016 said:
Oh how I miss Walter Cronkite....
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I do as well, but I really miss Tim Russert. His direct questions, back-up by extended video, left very little wiggle room for spin. He gave the guest a shovel, sit back and watch them dig. Chris Wallace is extremely good at this as well.
 
Maplerock said:
cb7893 said:
@Maplerock , @1mom , @Capri120 , @sherrie, @HuskyPilot

I just went to get a sandwich. Turned on the Sat radio to CNN. They were in the middle of a story about the Prep school incident. I think they qualify as both "Major" and "Mainstream".

So I guess this makes you all prejudicial.

Fortunately, Gen. Silveria and the investigators were not.

CNN only spent 2 minutes on it. Rest easy, though. Sean, Tucker, and Laura will give you all you can handle this evening.
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CNN... LOL.

I always check Fox News first, which usually has some positive and some negative about President Trump. Then I check CNN. I have both news sites favorited so I can check easily. I challenge you to find any positive reports on CNN about the President. They "spin" (See what I did there?) At every opportunity to try to influence the viewer or reader.

Now I know what you're thinking... "that's because there is nothing positive about him." You gave yourself away in true liberal fashion when you tried to infer that we were conservatives that receive our daily brainwashing from Fox News.

The recent attempts to smear President Trump over the call to a gold star mom showed the mindset of the people at the helm of CNN. The president has been a staunch supporter of the military, and has acknowledged their losses and victories more than his predecessor. He won't get a fair shake from your channel of choice.

It's been 10 months since the inauguration. Usually a chapped hind end heals a lot faster than that. Try some Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment. It should help.
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Trump is not the most compassionate & articulate speaker, it’s not a shocker there was a misunderstanding & feelings hurt. As for institutional racism, it’s not only about overt racism but subtle racism. For example, an Asian child might be the only minority in his or her class/school; an Indian kid might pack an ethnic lunch causing smirks or rude comments; a Hispanic teenager is followed around by store security; a mom must tell her Black son to be calm & keep both hands on sterling wheel when stopped by an officer & don’t ever wear a hoddie; an Arab international medical student is scrutinized by airport security; and a woman might always wonder why she was passed up for a promotion. Subtle racism over a lifetime can break ones spirit.
 
There is a difference between having racists in the academy and the system being racist. There will always be people who are racist or have a problem with another group. It is their right to do so as long as they keep it to themselves. The moment they are vocal or act upon it, then there is a problem especially in one of the academies. I dont condone their beliefs, but realistically at 18, there isnt much anyone could say to change their minds at least in the short term. The other side of it that because there are racists in the group, it doesnt make the institution racist. Unless the AF academy can read minds, there will always be bad people who get in. As along as the academy works to make sure their views have no place in the institution and they expel any students found to have committed racist acts, then it should be okay

As for new organizations, the biggest issue for me isnt that they are biased because we all know they are. The problem is that they will lie to your face and tell you they arent. At least Fox will tell you they have a rightist slant. But if you were to ask ABC, CBS, NBC and the NY Times, they would tell it your face that they have no biases whats so ever.
 
cb7893 said:
Humey said:
. At least Fox will tell you they have a rightist slant.
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Then why is their catch phrase, "Fair and Balanced?"
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It is fair and balance but with a conservative biased. Having said that, people like Chris Wallace are very fair and balanced. It is their commentators that go right. They have always had liberals on the network giving the other side of the story. You dont see the same on CNN or MSNBC. They are so fair and balanced that they never need a conservative voice because they are so unbaised
 
Humey said:
The problem becomes Crying Wolf. Next time something like this happens, instead of investigating the racist comment, the first thought will be that it is a fake
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I don't think that is true. I think it will be investigated completely by the academy but it won't become big national news like this one did. You have to wonder if the person that did it is the one who alerted the news organizations to it even.
 
Nothing like being berated by your commander for the actions of others, and worse- based on a hoax from a pretend victim.
 
JDB said:
He should also make clear that the actions of this one Prep School student besmirched the reputation and integrity of entire Academy, and that type of behavior can never be tolerated. Until he comes out with a forceful statement about the real circumstances surrounding this episode I would have to wonder, if I were a cadet, does he have my back?
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This is spot on. Isn't an apology in order?
 
jebdad said:
JDB said:
He should also make clear that the actions of this one Prep School student besmirched the reputation and integrity of entire Academy, and that type of behavior can never be tolerated. Until he comes out with a forceful statement about the real circumstances surrounding this episode I would have to wonder, if I were a cadet, does he have my back?
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This is spot on. Isn't an apology in order?
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Absolutely. The General needs to come out and apologize to the cadets and condemn the actions of this one prep school student. Will he? He should!
 
What exactly would the apology be for? He acted based on the information available at the time. Hindsight is always 20/20. If you're a cadet, you'll get your chance to make timely command decisions based on incomplete info soon.
 
Wishful said:
What exactly would the apology be for? He acted based on the information available at the time. Hindsight is always 20/20. If you're a cadet, you'll get your chance to make timely command decisions based on incomplete info soon.
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I am not saying what he did was wrong per say although it was a little bit of a knee jerk response on his part because of our pc culture. I was a police detective and would have assessed all information, interviewed people involved, and then if all evidence pointed to a hate crime I would have then made a statement like he made. But the smell test didn't add up and I bet from the beginning that this was a hoax. He needs to address the cadets and media since this became a major national story and set the record straight that these kinds of hoaxes will not be tolerated either.
 
Foxtrot said:
Nothing like being berated by your commander for the actions of others, and worse- based on a hoax from a pretend victim.
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My DS did not feel berated... he saw it as a clear message that USAFA will foster a climate of dignity and respect for all and that racism has no place at the Academy. The manner in which the message was delivered was much more impactful to the cadets than the plethora of other messages that they receive from USAFA on an ongoing basis.

I was not there, but agree with Wishful that (IMHO) there is nothing to apologize for.
 
FMHS-79 said:
Foxtrot said:
Nothing like being berated by your commander for the actions of others, and worse- based on a hoax from a pretend victim.
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My DS did not feel berated... he saw it as a clear message that USAFA will foster a climate of dignity and respect for all and that racism has no place at the Academy. The manner in which the message was delivered was much more impactful to the cadets than the plethora of other messages that they receive from USAFA on an ongoing basis.

I was not there, but agree with Wishful that (IMHO) there is nothing to apologize for.
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He needs to come out and condemn the hoax also correct. I am not upset with the General but I think he needs to address the hoax like he did the supposed hate crime. That should not be tolerated either correct?
 
As I recall the general stated racism will not be tolerated at this institution. The act was not a hoax, it was a hate crime. A racist act perpetrated by an individual even against his own group is still a racist act; a crime for which he could've been arrested. No apology needed, silence to let the news move on is the way to go...which seems to be the general's plan.
 
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