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Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in May 2016.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

Deaf hiker falls 700 feet, but when rescuers finally find her, she isn’t alone

Being young means exploring the world and experiencing different cultures and places. Some choose to stay in their home country, while others visit a far-away country or…

‘Supernanny’ Jo Frost slams ‘lazy’ parents for raising unresilient kids

Are parents today too lazy? That is what Jo Frost, also known as TV parenting expert “Supernanny,” claims. In a new video, Frost issues stark warning to…

Amanda Seyfried claims she was forced to hire a bodyguard after controversial Charlie Kirk comments

Amanda Seyfried faced heavy criticism for her comments about Charlie Kirk following his assassination. Now, she shares that she had to hire a bodyguard due to the…

Lip reader ‘reveals’ Donald Trump’s 8-word remark to UFC fighter who called Michelle Obama ‘a man’

On Sunday night, UFC Freedom 250 took place at the White House. During the event, Josh Hokit made a comment about Michelle Obama that quickly drew attention…

Woman cuts her hair for the first time in 25 years – here’s what she looks like today.

We all have those moments when we feel the urge to switch up our appearance. As humans, we often find ourselves preoccupied with how we look, so…

Nurse who found woman that was thrown to her death without safety rope recalls her haunting last moments

The 21-year-old Brazilian woman who was thrown from a bridge without a safety rope was alive when a nurse found her, 130 feet down, in a ravine….