Just a few weeks ago, I
posted a speech by the Commandant of the Air Force Academy responding to a
racist incident at the Air Force Academy Prep School.[1]
About a week ago, the New
York Times reported that the alleged victim of the racist remark actually
planted it.[2] Apparently the student wrote the racial slur
on his and other minority students’ doors in an ill-advised attempt to get out
of some unrelated difficulty he was in.
The incident was seized
upon by some commentators as proof that all racism is fake, or at least
overblown. That is a tragedy. Racism is real and pervasive in our
society. It is just a shame that a
misguided attempt by a teenager (I presume) could cause some to question our
national shame.
I am reminded of some
criminal cases that I handled, both as County Attorney and as judge. I am particularly offended by people who
attempt to steal money from the government by claiming welfare benefits to
which they are not entitled. Public
assistance is a lifeline to people in desperate straits. It is, most literally, all that stands
between a parent having food for her family and becoming homeless.
Far too many people put
blame on these unfortunate folks, claiming they are lazy, greedy or dishonest.
And, those who attempt to
cheat the system give grist to that mill.
I tried, in my
professional life, to send a message to those cheats: Commit this crime and you will go to
jail. Too often, because of a weakness
in the prosecution’s case or innocents (children) who would suffer if jail were
imposed, I relented. But these crimes
are particularly reprehensible to me.
But this crime, like a
false report of a racist act, does not only affect the perpetrator and those
close to him/her. It affects all those
real victims of racism and those honorable folks who become near destitute and
must rely on government assistance.
This case in the Academy
prep school was false. But we should
remember the words of the Commandant of the Academy addressing the new
reality:
"Regardless
of the circumstances under which those words were written, they were written,
and that deserved to be addressed," Silveria said in a Tuesday email.
"You can never over-emphasize the need for a culture of dignity and
respect - and those who don't understand those concepts, aren't welcome
here."[3]
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.