Citadel Suspends Students Seen Wearing KKK-Like Costumes

The Military College of South Carolina, commonly referred to simply as The Citadel, is a state-supported, military-themed college located in Charleston, South Carolina. This week, photos of what is reported to have been some kind of hazing ritual were disseminated that showed students wearing “KKK-like” costumes. 

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.

​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. 

​"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.

South Carolina State Rep. Wendell Gilliard also called for expulsion for what he called an "inexcusable" and "heinous act” which he noted was committed not far from the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church where Dylan Roof killed nine black parishioners in June.

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".