by Nomad
Social media erupted with outrage on Saturday after video footage seemed to show cadets from West Point and midshipmen from the Naval Academy flashing what some claim to be white supremacists hand gestures.
Was it a case of "much ado over nothing"- a harmless bit of horsing around, or yet another case of "everything Trump touches turns to crap"? President Trump had traveled to Philadelphia to attend the annual football game and reportedly received a standing ovation.
The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights group, has listed the OK signal as a possible extremist gesture but has also urged caution to those who assume the worst. The usage of the hand symbol "in most contexts is entirely innocuous and harmless." It adds that "particular care must be taken not to jump to conclusions about the intent behind someone who has used the gesture."
Therein lies the problem.
The Naval Academy and West Point both told The Wall Street Journal that they were investigating the incidents. Certainly, the Armed Forces takes a zero-tolerance policy against extremism, including sexism and racism. Nevertheless, many on the left fear the Trump "infection" has spread to the lower ranks.
Two years ago, a fiery speech by Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria against racist slurs went viral. After African-American cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado were targeted, Superintendent Silveria delivered this powerful response.
The Naval Academy and West Point both told The Wall Street Journal that they were investigating the incidents. Certainly, the Armed Forces takes a zero-tolerance policy against extremism, including sexism and racism. Nevertheless, many on the left fear the Trump "infection" has spread to the lower ranks.
Two years ago, a fiery speech by Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria against racist slurs went viral. After African-American cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado were targeted, Superintendent Silveria delivered this powerful response.