The U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School has been investigating a supposedly racist incident that happened in September and discovered it was a hoax. The Washington Times reports, “In September, racial slurs were found written on the dormitory message boards of five black cadet candidates at the prep school in Colorado Springs, sparking an investigation. The incident prompted a fiery speech by the school’s superintendent, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, who said cadets who can’t treat others with respect should leave.”

Well, one of the black cadets who was allegedly targeted confessed to writing the slurs himself. That cadet is no longer a student at the school.

Silveria didn’t back down from his condemnation, however, insisting, “Regardless of the circumstances under which those words were written, they were written, and that deserved to be addressed. You can never over-emphasize the need for a culture of dignity and respect — and those who don’t understand those concepts, aren’t welcome here.”

Hate crime hoaxes are nothing new. Whether it’s as small as racist messages at various schools or a black man burning down a black church after scribbling “Vote Trump” on the side, there are some who wish to create more grievances for political gain. Ironically, this undermines their own case. Just as watering down language regarding sexual assault undermines legitimate allegations of violence, so do hate crime hoaxes undercut any real incidents of racism, few though they may be.

Meanwhile, the Air Force would better solve this problem by rising above the political correctness message leftists keep pushing and refocusing on the deeper significance of their oaths.