After racial slurs were written on message boards in the USAFA Preparatory School this week, Air Force Academy superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria spoke in front of cadets, faculty, and candidates to condemn racism.
Silveria delivered a five-minute speech before members of the Academy to reiterate the power of diversity and the responsibility each human being has to fight hate.
"If you’re outraged by those words, then you’re in the right place," Lt. Silveria said. "That kind of behavior has no place at the Prep School, has no place at USAFA and has no place in the United States Air Force.”
The general went on to address some of the current problems facing our country.
"We would all be naive to think that everything is perfect here. We would be naive to think that we shouldn’t discuss this topic. We would also be tone deaf not to think about the backdrop of what’s going on in our country — things like Charlottesville and Ferguson, the protests in the NFL."
Near the end of his comments, Lt. Gen. Silvera urged those in the room to grab their phones and record his comments to look back at in the future. He then explained in a serious tone, "If you can’t treat someone with dignity and respect then get out."
The racist incident at USAFA Preparatory School is currently under investigation.
Topics Activism Racial Justice
