IT has been reported that the cadets wore the hoods and all-white clothing as part of a Christmas skit. Seven cadets are seen wearing pillowcases with eye holes cut out with another cadet not wearing the costumes is among them.
After the Confederate flag polemic, The #Citadel college suspends 8 cadets over '#KKK uniforms' Lovely place… #US pic.twitter.com/RBhgDSk27w
— Tom Antonov (@Tom_Antonov) December 12, 2015
The Citadel’s president, John Rosa, called the images "offensive and disturbing."
"These images are not consistent with our core values of honour, duty and respect," Rosa in a statement, adding that an investigation has been launched into issue.
Other responses have been more vociferous.
James Johnson, state coordinator of the South Carolina National Action Network (NAN) chapter, called on the school to expelled the students.
Citadel investigating a Facebook photo showing its cadets wearing white pillowcases over their heads, AKA The KKK pic.twitter.com/IBiFZ4g2Tb
— ♻AnonNOTORIOUS™ (@MrNegroMilitant) December 10, 2015
"The Citadel itself seems to me that they want to keep the tradition of racism," Johnson told reporters. "That's why there's not many blacks applying to this college.”
Johnson added that NAN will be requesting a federal investigation.
The Citadel Minority Alumni Association, which shared one of the photos on its Facebook page, calling it a “disgrace,” applauded the president’s response but said the college needs to do more "to address the culture that continues to house recurring prejudices against minority cadets".
