CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec 10 (Reuters) - The Citadel military college in South Carolina said on Thursday it was suspending eight cadets after photographs were posted on social media showing many of them wearing pointed white pillowcases that resembled hoods worn by the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan.
Seven cadets wore the hoods and all-white clothing while singing Christmas carols as part of a "Ghosts of Christmas Past" skit, according to initial findings by the college in Charleston. An older cadet was also photographed with the group. The costumes resemble the white hoods and garb worn by members of the KKK, a group that has targeted blacks with cross burnings, lynchings and other violent acts.
"These images are not consistent with our core values of honor, duty and respect," said college president John Rosa, a retired Air Force lieutenant general. Rosa called the photos, which were posted on Snapchat and Facebook, "offensive and disturbing."
Rosa said suspension proceedings had begun for the cadets known to be involved. Citadel spokeswoman Kim Keelor-Parker said the school was investigating whether more people took part and would have no further comment until the probe is complete.
Citadel is in the same town as the church where a white supremacist killed nine black churchgoers on June 17
For Christianity, by identifying truth with faith, must teach-and, properly understood, does teach-that any interference with the truth is immoral. A Christian with faith has nothing to fear from the facts
Well, they may have been dreaming of a white Christmas....
For Christianity, by identifying truth with faith, must teach-and, properly understood, does teach-that any interference with the truth is immoral. A Christian with faith has nothing to fear from the facts
Charleston is a lovely place to visit but I sure as hell wouldn't want to live there. Its reverence for its history and past is merely a thin veneer over its deep elitism and racism.
Last edited by Guinevere on Fri Dec 11, 2015 4:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
“I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.” ~ Ruth Bader Ginsburg, paraphrasing Sarah Moore Grimké
My mom's cousin was Ernie Unterkoefler, Bishop of Charleston. In line with what Guin says above, behind closed doors he was an effete snob who had little patience for many members of his diocese. However, on Sundays and holy days he could sure put on quite a show.
You should have seen this guy at family reunions; booze, cigars, and exaggerated stories about all the special people WE didn't know. This whale had one hell of a blowhole. I enjoyed the "royal" treatment when we visited but I was always happy to leave, too. I often thought of the movie "Deliverance" while strolling about the outskirts of town.
Charleston has since gotten much better and friendlier but it's still way too Southern for me.
“In a world whose absurdity appears to be so impenetrable, we simply must reach a greater degree of understanding among us, a greater sincerity.”
Guinevere wrote:Charleston is a lovely place to visit but I sure as hell wouldn't want to live there. Its reverence for its history and past is merely a thin veneer over its deep elitism and racism.
Broad brush much there Guin?
You know, a lot of folks think Bostonians are a snotty and elitist bunch stuck on their history...
“I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.” ~ Ruth Bader Ginsburg, paraphrasing Sarah Moore Grimké
Guinevere wrote:Charleston is a lovely place to visit but I sure as hell wouldn't want to live there. Its reverence for its history and past is merely a thin veneer over its deep elitism and racism.
Broad brush much there Guin?
You know, a lot of folks think Bostonians are a snotty and elitist bunch stuck on their history...
Not to mention that Boston was, for a long time, one of the most viciously racist cities in the country. (Boston's schools are under court-ordered integration TO THIS DAY.)
Boston was also the center of the abolition movement.
I've been very frank about its problems, but Boston has changed (and I dispute that it was one of the most viciously racist cities in the country -- there are many many places under DOJ school integration orders). It is more integrated and diverse than it was when I moved here (almost 17 years ago now), and a tad bit less parochial. But it is still the HUB of the universe for many.
“I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.” ~ Ruth Bader Ginsburg, paraphrasing Sarah Moore Grimké
My uncle Tom was provost of Holy Name Seminary College in Washington DC until he quit the priesthood (OFM) due to irreconcilable differences with the Vatican. He married a longtime associate and nun from the college, moved back to Boston, a city he loved, where he first began as a novitiate. He then settled in as an officer at MassDTA, had two sons (BostU and Harvard grads,) and totally immersed himself in community affairs. One of the most vital people I ever knew and loved, he died of brain cancer about 15 years ago, and way too early.
“... He loved that dirty water. Oh, Boston, you were his home...”
As for me, I always enjoyed my trips and vacations in Boston. Just like Philly, but more north.
“In a world whose absurdity appears to be so impenetrable, we simply must reach a greater degree of understanding among us, a greater sincerity.”
Boston was virulently racist in the 60s and 70s over integration via bussing; I remember the awful stories on the news when I was a kid. The BoSox was a racist baseball franchise for years and Boston has struggled with racial issues since a long ways before I was a kid. Still has racial issues like any big city. And yes lots of snooty types too although there are so many Mayflower descendants now it hardly seems such a big deal.
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
