Page 6 - ARUBA TODAY

A6 U.S. NEWS
Saturday 21 december 2019
Navy, Army probes find no racism intent in hand gestures

By LOLITA C. BALDOR ibility areas for major events
Associated Press such as the game day. And
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hand it said there should be more
gestures flashed by West training for the students on
Point cadets and Naval how they should conduct
Academy midshipmen dur- themselves.
ing the televised Army-Na- The U.S. Military Academy
vy football game were not at West Point reached
racist signals, military inves- similar conclusions. Lt. Gen.
tigations have concluded. Darryl Williams, West Point
A Navy probe of the event superintendent, expressed
found that the students disappointment in the ca-
were participating in a dets' immature behavior.
"sophomoric game" on Sat- The cadets involved also
urday and had no racist in- will receive "appropriate
tent. administrative" or disciplin-
An Army statement Friday ary actions, West Point said.
also rejected any racist No details were provided.
overtones, saying the hand "The American people trust
gestures were "not asso- our Soldiers to do the right
ciated with ideologies or things the right way," said
movements that are con- Gen. James McConville,
trary to the Army values." n this Dec. 14, 2019 file photo, Navy midshipmen march onto field ahead of an NCAA college chief of staff of the Army.
The Navy said officials are, football game between the Army and the Navy in Philadelphia. "We must be mindful of
however, disappointed in Associated Press behavior which brings that
the immature behavior of trust into question and en-
the students and "their ac- was part of what's called The investigation added "To be clear, the Navy does sure our actions meet the
tions will be appropriately the "circle game," in which that the two naval acade- not tolerate racism in any high ethical and profes-
addressed." There were no someone flashes an upside- my students "exhibited gen- form," said Gilday. "And sional standards our nation
details about their exact down OK sign below the uine shock" and said they while the investigation de- expects the American Sol-
punishment, but a Navy waist and punches anyone were not aware of the rac- termined there was no rac- dier to uphold."
report on the investigation who looks at it. ist connotation of the hand ist intent behind these ac- The circle game, around
said the two midshipmen The Navy said that reviews gestures. It said interviews tions, our behavior must be for generations, was fea-
should face "administrative of the footage, more than with friends, roommates professional at all times and tured in the early 2000s sit-
action" for "failure to use two dozen interviews and and other commanders not give cause for others to com "Malcolm in the Mid-
good judgment." background checks by also found no links to the question our core values of dle" and has made a resur-
Clips of the hand gestures the Naval Criminal Investi- white power movement. honor, courage and com- gence as a photo bomb
by the students went viral gative Service and the FBI Navy Adm. Mike Gilday, mitment." prank in sports team pho-
on social media and im- determined that the two chief of naval operations, The Navy investigation also tos--along the same line as
mediately raised questions freshmen midshipmen were said sailors are expected to made a number of recom- "bunny ears" fingers. In more
about whether they were participating in the "circle conduct themselves with mendations to better coor- recent years, it became an
using a "white power" sign. game" with West Point ca- integrity and character at dinate and screen midship- internet meme in a online
But others suggested it dets. all times. men who may be in high vis- game of "gotcha."q

Bill introduced to redesignate Jimmy Carter historic sites

ATLANTA (AP) — Some his- campaign headquarters, to Plains to learn about
toric places in former Presi- according to a news re- Carter and his legacy, of-
dent Jimmy Carter's home- lease from Republican ficials said.
town may get more fed- Sen. David Perdue's office. A policy advisor for Perdue
eral protection under a bill The park would also even- said that designating the
introduced by Georgia's tually include the Cart- area as a national historical
congressional delegation ers' current residence and park would make it clearer
to give them a new desig- gravesites. to the public that the park
nation. "No matter where life has incorporates multiple sites,
The legislation would re- taken me, from the Gov- and officials hope that it
classify the Jimmy Carter ernor's mansion to the could ultimately lead to
National Historic Site locat- White House, Plains has al- an increase in visitors. The
ed in rural Plains, Georgia, ways been my home," the change would not affect
as the Jimmy Carter Na- 95-year-old Democrat and the park's management
tional Historical Park. In this Nov. 3, 2019 file photo, former President Jimmy Carter former president in a state- structure or boundaries.
Both national historic sites teaches Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, ment. "Rosalynn joins me in "Today, Plains, Georgia is
and national historical Ga. thanking Senators Perdue a living monument to the
parks are protected parts Associated Press and Isakson, Congressman Carters and their lifetime of
of the U.S. National Park Bishop, and the Georgia service. I'm proud to stand
System, but "National his- according to the National high school that he and delegation for helping pre- with the entire Georgia
torical parks are common- Park Service. former first lady Rosalynn serve my family's legacy." delegation to ensure Presi-
ly areas of greater physi- The new designation Carter attended and the The goal of the change dent Carter's legacy is pre-
cal extent and complexity would apply to the farm Plains train depot, which is to help protect the sites served for generations to
than national historic sites," where Carter grew up, the served as his presidential and to draw more visitors come," Perdue said.q