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Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in May 2016.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

Supreme Court Steps In and Delivers Massive 8-1 Ruling

Major Legal Development on Temporary Protected Status A recent decision from the U.S. Supreme Court has had significant implications for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals…

Expert reveals the 15 US cities that would be first targets in WW3 – some might surprise you!

Fear of large-scale war rarely erupts in a single moment. It accumulates. A headline here, a diplomatic warning there, a sudden military exercise broadcast across the world…

Here are all the celebrities who have spoken out against Trump’s Iran war

A growing number of celebrities are publicly condemning Donald Trump following U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, with several high-profile figures accusing the president of hypocrisy, recklessness, and dragging…

Scabbing neck rash fuels new health speculation around Donald Trump

Speculation is running wild after new images of Donald Trump surfaced. A red, unsettling mark on his neck has many asking the same question: just how healthy…

Here are the instructions Donald Trump has left if Iran tries to assassinate him

In 2025, President Donald Trump made a striking statement about potential threats to his life from Iran. Global tensions continue to rise. This weekend, the United States…

Medical reason Barron Trump can’t join US military as furious Americans wants to send him to Iran war

Donald Trump is well-known to have avoided the draft for the Vietnam War. Now, it seems his youngest son, Barron Trump, won’t be heading into the military…