The freshman Citadel cadets say they meant no harm. They were merely responding to an upperclassman’s directive to come and sing Christmas carols in costume on Dec. 9. Unfortunately the costume materials they had at hand, pillowcases with the eyes cut out, bore an alarming resemblance to Ku Klux Klan hoods. In the photo the cadets are reading from sheets of paper, which apparently are Christmas carol lyrics.
Several cadets reported the incident, which was photographed and posted on social media, and their leaders brought it to the attention of a company tactical officer, who in turn informed school administrators. Lt. Gen. John Rosa, Citadel president, immediately investigated, and temporarily suspended eight cadets. Seven more cadets were eventually included in the investigation.
The costumed cadets, who were attempting to dress as “ghosts of Christmas past,” said they did not understand that their costumes could be construed by some as offensive. It is a common tradition for underclassmen to sing carols for upperclass cadets, and they thought that the explanation that they were dressed as ghosts and were attempting to complete the skit so they could go back to studying would be sufficient.
A post from The Citadel’s Minority-Alumni Facebook page stated “Why would anyone think that this is ok? Will the administration at The Citadel let this go? This picture is a disgrace and a slap in the face.”
Rosa called the photo “disturbing,” saying it was not consistent with The Citadel’s values. A statement released on Monday said the investigation’s conclusion was that the cadets did not mean to offend anyone with their Ku Klux Klan-like attire. However, Rosa said that he is “disappointed some recognized how it could be construed as such but didn’t stop it.”
Rosa said that the cadets involved now understand that the costumes could be hurtful to many. Although cadets are already required to complete four years of ethics and leadershp training that include lessons on ethical decision-making and racial sensitivity, he is also creating a diversity task force.
As a result of the investigation, 14 cadets have been punished, with the discipline ranging from on-campus punishments to two-semester dismissals from campus. The on-campus punishment includes marching back and forth in the barracks for 50 minutes at a time while shouldering guns. One junior, who was dismissed, will have to spend two semesters away from campus before becoming eligible to reapply.
Founded in 1842, the South Carolina public military college has about 2,300 undergraduates which make up the Corps of Cadets.