Photo Of West Point Cadets Sparks Controversy

Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in May 2016.

The photo appears to show the all-black, all-female cadets raising their fists in a gesture that has lately come to be associated with the controversial movement. However, the gesture has been used for centuries to symbolize resistance by a variety of groups, from labor unions to suffragists to Black Panthers.

The Army Times reports that it received the photo from concerned readers who were worried that the cadets may have violated Department of Defense Directive 1344:10, Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces. The directive discourages cadets from “partisan political activity” when in uniform.

John Burk, a former soldier and now current motivational coach, accused the cadets of aligning themselves with a political movement. He noted on his Facebook page that an anonymous military service member reached out to him to express their concern.

“It’s a really touchy subject here,” the anonymous source told Burk, according to the Daily News. “We can get kicked out of West Point, or forced to repeat years for what is called a ‘respect board.’ They can be given just for making someone upset, so no one wants to get kicked out of college … over something like this.”

Burk’s Facebook post has since gone viral, and many commenters were unhappy with the cadets’ actions.

“Equality means abiding by the same standards,” one commenter wrote. “Kick those WOMEN OUT!”

“All of these cadets should be expelled, immediately!” another said.

It remains to be seen what disciplinary actions the Army will take, if any. The 16 cadets in the photo have yet to be identified.

Sources: Daily NewsArmy Times

Related Posts

I Chew Cloves And Say Goodbye to 10 Years of Diabetes..

Cloves are already well-known, although they are primarily utilized in sweets, particularly those with fruit. Banana and pumpkin sweets, for example, invariably include a tinge of clove….

Full in the first c0mment

Manufacturers often treat clothes with dyes, formaldehyde, and finishing agents that can irritate the skin. Washing garments before wearing them helps eliminate these substances, making the clothes…

I can’t believe I didn’t know this

If you’ve ever spent any amount of time at an airport scanning the baggage carousel for your prized possessions, you’ll understand the stress of seeing hundreds of…

Full story in comment

Virginia, 83, had always adored her grandson Ryan. She’d saved for years to fund his dream wedding, and when he got engaged to Claire, she offered to…

If you spot something like this in your garden, do not ignore it!

Ticks are small, blood-sucking creatures that can spread diseases to both pets and humans, making them a serious nuisance. Last summer, I had a firsthand experience dealing…

He Survived an Unthinkable Attack as a Toddler — Decades Later, His Life Reflects a Powerful Journey

At fourteen months old, Keith Edmonds experienced a traumatic event that dramatically altered the course of his life. In 1978, he sustained severe injuries that required extensive…