Allegations Of Lynching Threats, “Racist Culture” Under Investigation At VMI

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is hopeful a third-party investigation can root out allegations of racism at Virginia Military Institute. WWBT's Henry Graff reports.

(NBC News) — Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is hopeful a third-party investigation can root out allegations of racism at Virginia Military Institute.

“These allegations are something that we all need to take very seriously,” said Northam.

The allegations stem from a Washington Post article about repeated instances of racism at VMI, including lynching threats against Black cadets and attacks on social media.

Northam sent a letter this week to the school’s board of directors calling for an independent review of the institution’s culture, policies and equity in disciplinary procedures.

About 8% of VMI’s 1,700 students are Black. The governor wants preliminary results by the end of the year.

“We thought it best to have a third-party, an independent group come in and really look at the culture of VMI and then offer their observances, and offer recommendations on how we can move forward,” said Northam.

Read more here.