Racial slurs at Air Force Academy
By Kevin Palmer
In a September 29, 2017, New York Times article captioned, “Air Force General Addresses Racial Slurs on Campus: ‘You Should be Outraged’, The United States Air Force Academy’s Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria responded to the racial slurs directed at five Black cadets. He said, “If you can’t treat someone from another gender, whether that’s a man or woman, with dignity and respect, then you need to get out. If you demean someone in any way, then you need to get out. And if you can’t treat someone from another race or a different color skin with dignity and respect, then you need to get out.” He added, “The power of diversity at the Academy should serve as another unifier…once they arrive here and get immersed in Air Force culture, it must be absolutely clear how we look out for and respect one another.”
Poppycock! The culture is why the racist cadets felt embolden to disrespect five black cadets. Racism’s dominant role in American history and culture will not be mitigated by well-meaning reactionary rhetoric. Since its founding, the American culture has been a breeding ground for racists. Even the Founding Fathers crafted a Constitution with racist sentiments when it reduced enslaved Africans to three fifths human. The racists of today are the offspring of the racists from yesterday. Just like the racists who damaged my Air Force career.
I am an African American and retired Air Force Master Sergeant. The jealous racists began their assault in 1990 after I was selected for promotion to MSgt in 10 years by making one of the highest test scores ever recorded, by earning Aircraft Systems Superintendent level in 11 years, and by publishing an article in the Air Force Times titled, “Disoriented Management.” Unfortunately, I learned racists do more than cast slurs; they block promotions. A congressional inquiry discovered my records were flagged, ensuring I would not be promoted which meant untold thousands of dollars in lost active duty pay and retirement pension. General Silveria, racists don’t respond to “Get Out.”
