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Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in May 2016.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

Leno’s Final, Risky Goodbye

He walked out of fire twice. The man who made millions laugh now spends his quiet hours signing papers that won’t make a single joke—but will change…

A King’s Confession That Shattered a Prince

The first crack in Prince William’s reality didn’t come with shouting. It came with a confession whispered by a King who was also, unbearably, just a father….

Nature Has No Mercy

This is nature in its rawest form. No good, no evil — only survival. In the wild, every moment matters, and instinct decides who lives and who…

The Senate Froze as AOC’s ….

In a charged political setting, a brief exchange involving Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was widely interpreted by observers as a moment when control of the room subtly shifted. What…

Expert issues warning and reveals exactly how long Donald Trump has ‘left to live’

Some observers are openly questioning how much time he has left. Others point to his own insistence that he feels better than ever. As speculation continues, a…

Sarah Palin was crushed after her 27-year role model marriage ended by email, now she’s found love again

Sarah Palin was impossible to miss in 2008, when John McCain plucked the little-known Alaska governor onto the national stage. A “force of nature,” she blended folksy…