![black serviceman of US armed forces. [Image via -pixabay.com/en/soldier-man-war-black-army-160419]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/9/29/660x290/b_502x220x82/black-serviceman-of-us-armed-forces-photo-credit-pixabaycomensoldier-man-war-black-army-160419_1600675.jpg "black serviceman of US armed forces. [Image via -pixabay.com/en/soldier-man-war-black-army-160419]")
An incident in a premier training institute of the US Air Force has raised eyebrows all over the world. It has come to light that a racist incident is being investigated by the authorities in which the doors of five African-American Prep School cadets’ doors were painted with slurs. The incident at the premier U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado Springs, Colorado shows that racism is still alive in the US. It is being said that unknown perps painted the unmentionable words “N---ger go home”. This word is taboo in the US, yet some have had it painted on their doors in this facility.
Incident at USAF Prep school
The U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School is located on the same campus as the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The prep school conducts a one-year program for about 240 cadets who spend a year preparing to enter the U.S. Air Force Academy. The school sends over 1000 cadets to the USAF every year.
The incident is probably related to the recent controversy of some African-American players refusing to respect the national anthem during a ceremony. This incident at the school happened a day after the football players refused to stand up and instead knelt on the ground in protest, invoking a sharp rebuke from President Donald Trump.
Racism in America
Racism has not yet left America, though 152 years have elapsed since Lincoln fought the American civil war (1861-65) on the issue of slavery.
The divide seems to be growing with President Trump at the helm. However, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy has said that there is no place for racism of any type in the school and it is confirmed that the security agencies have launched an investigation. As things stand, this incident will be a dampener on the morale of the African-American cadets and many will be wondering what place they have in America.
Morale
The incident is serious and has a direct bearing on morale and cohesiveness of the force. Cadets at school are expected to foster esprit de corps and carry forward the tradition of the US armed forces, yet such incidents can derail the most efficient of forces. The saving grace is the realization by the top brass that such incidents cannot be tolerated in a fighting force. Hopefully, this will percolate down to the cadets.
Donald Trump has not commented on this incident. This is in sharp contrast to his immediate comments on other matters.
