As part of the United States Military Academy at West Point’s (USMA) annual Civil Rights Staff Ride program, cadets from West Point and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) embarked on a transformative journey through Durham, which played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. The cadets, accompanied by faculty members, immersed themselves in an interdisciplinary exploration of American history, social activism, and leadership during their visit to Durham and Duke University, respectively. At the heart of their visit was a special lecture delivered by LTC Trivius Caldwell, a second-year English Ph.D. candidate and a prominent figure in the US Army.
LTC Caldwell, who has been actively involved in the Civil Rights Staff Ride since 2017, provided an engaging talk entitled "Banyan Tree Epistemology: Memory and Introspection."
I wanted to communicate the importance of a discursive understanding of history and the necessity of introspection to incorporate experiences into pragmatic leadership philosophies…. My talk aimed to exhibit and recommend a more nuanced way of thinking about social engagements. -LTC Trivius Caldwell, English Ph.D. candidate
LTC Caldwell also fielded questions throughout their time together. The cadets asked engaging questions that helped connect their experience as scholars and future military leaders.
Learn more about the experience of two of West Point’s first Black cadets Johnson Chesnut Whittaker and Henry Ossian Flipper.
Former Durham mayor Wib Gulley also joined Caldwell and the cadets for the final moments of their visit to share some history and insight into the City of Durham, its place in the Civil Rights movement, and how the Bull City has made its way onto the list of “Best Places to Live in America.”
Former Durham Mayor Gulley shared the story of the Royal Ice Cream Sit-in, the first Civil Rights Sit-in in the United States.
Explore LTC Caldwell's Live Everything Podcast, specifically his conversation with Wib Gulley as they reflect on the transformation of the city of Durham and leadership experiences toward the building of community.
Through cadet engagement with Durham's rich history and the guidance of passionate individuals like Lieutenant Colonel Caldwell, these cadets are not only embracing their roles as future military leaders but also embarking on a journey of intellectual growth and societal understanding that will shape their contributions to a better world.
I find great inspiration in conversing with cadets, as they possess a unique curiosity that stems from their constant exploration of how their educational experiences intertwine with their leadership potential. This curiosity becomes even more crucial as new generations of scholars, like these cadets, navigate a rapidly evolving technological landscape in a post-war military environment. Engaging with these future leaders always motivates me to further my learning and pursue inquiries that shed light on the changing nature of identity throughout the 20th century. - Lieutenant Colonel Trivius Caldwell, English Ph.D. candidate
After obtaining his Ph.D., Caldwell's career path will involve assuming Battalion Command in the Infantry, where he will be entrusted with the leadership and command of an 800-Soldier Battalion. Upon completing this assignment, his goal is to return to West Point and serve as a permanent Professor of English, combining his military experience and academic background.
