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Viral Air Force Racism Story is a Hoax

by VOA News

   A story about a racial slur scrawled on a message board outside the
   dorm room of an African-American student at the U.S. Air Force Academy
   went viral last month after the academy's superintendent gave a rousing
   speech about "the power of diversity."

   That story, it turns out, was a hoax. An investigation by the Air Force
   Academy found the African-American cadet who reported the message wrote
   it himself.

   The academy says the student is no longer at the school, but did not
   specify whether he withdrew or was expelled. The student's name was not
   released.

   An academy statement said, "We can confirm that one of the cadet
   candidates who was allegedly targeted by racist remarks written outside
   of their dorm room was actually responsible for the act. The individual
   admitted responsibility and this was validated by the investigation."

   On September 27, five African-American cadets reported finding the
   racial slur written on a dry-erase board outside their dorm room.

   In response to the incident, academy superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay
   Silveria gave an anti-racism speech that was shared widely on the
   internet and has been viewed more than one million times.

   Silveria said he was "outraged" and encouraged cadets to pull their
   phones out and record what he called his most important thoughts on the
   subject.

   "If you can't treat someone from another race or different color skin
   with dignity and respect, then you need to get out," he said.

   The incident occurred at the dormitory housing students for the
   academy's preparatory school, which helps students prepare to meet the
   academy's entrance requirements.