Air Force Academy Says Offensive Graffiti Was Fake, But Racism Is Real

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) - sm Mt (0.8em) - sm "type =" text "content =" The discovery of racist graffiti that sparked an uproar at the United States Air Force Academy turned out to be a hoax. But the school's superintendent stands by his forceful defense of equality - a message to students that subsequently went viral. " data-reactid = "16"> The discovery of racist graffiti that sparked an uproar at the United States Air Force Academy turned out to be a hoax. But the school's superintendent stands by his forceful defense of equality - a message to students that subsequently went viral.

One of the five African-American cadet candidates at the academy's preparatory school who said they found in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado, said Wednesday.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) --sm Mt (0.8em) - sm "type =" text "content =" The original message, according to the superintendent, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria He pointed to the controversies surrounding the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the National Football League players kneeling during the national anthem to reinf orce the message. & nbsp; " data-reactid = "18"> But the confession does not dim the importance of the original message, according to the superintendent, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria. He made a speech to the school's cadets and faculty ordering them to "get out" if they were unable to treat others with respect and dignity. He pointed to controversies surrounding the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and National Football League players kneeling during the national anthem to reinforce the message.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) - sm Mt (0.8em) - sm" type = "text" content = "" Regardless of the circumstances under which those words were written, they were written, and that deserved to be addressed "& nbsp; Silveria said Wednesday." You can never overemphasize the need for a culture of dignity and respect. understand that concepts, are not welcome here. "" data-reactid = "19"> "that deserved to be addressed ," Silveria said Wednesday. "You can never overemphasize the need for a culture of dignity and respect."

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em ) Mb (0) - sm Mt (0.8em) - sm "type =" text "content =" The cadet candidate who admitted to write the slurs "received administrative punishment " and has left the school, Lt. Col. Allen Herritage, the academy's director of public affairs, told CNN. " data-reactid = "20"> The cadet candidate who admitted writing the slurs "received administrative punishment " and has left the school, Lt. Col. Allen Herritage, the academy's director of public affairs, told CNN.

The academy did not immediately respond to HuffPost's request for further comment.