West Point Cadets Cause Controversy by Raising Fists in Photo (UPDATE)

Many commenters on social media felt it was an inappropriate gesture for cadets.

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UPDATED 9:05 a.m. ET: The U.S. Military Academy announced Wednesday morning that the cadets were found not to violate any Department of Defense or Army rules. An open letter by  Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr., reads, “We all must understand that a symbol or gesture that one group of people may find harmless may offend others.  As Army officers, we are not afforded the luxury of a lack of awareness of how we are perceived.”


The United States Military Academy is investigating 16 black female cadets in uniform who were photographed with raised fists outside of the campus’ oldest barracks building.

The image prompted an outcry on social media from those who interpreted it as support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Others felt that it was inappropriate to put clenched fists in the air and accused the women of instigating racial divisions in the military.

It is against the Department of Defense's rules for active duty military personnel, which includes students at military colleges, from engaging in partisan political activity while in uniform.

Mary Tobin, a 2003 graduate of West Point and an Iraq veteran who mentored some of the seniors photographed, told The New York Timesthat the women weren’t raising their fists to associate themselves with Black Lives Matter, but showing a symbol of pride and strength.

"These ladies weren’t raising their fist to say Black Panthers," Tobin said. "They were raising it to say Beyoncé. For them it’s not a sign of allegiance to a movement, it’s a sign that means unity and pride and sisterhood. That fist to them meant you and your sisters did what only a few people, male or female, have ever done in this country.”

In a statement to Army Times, West Point’s director of public affairs Lt. Col. Christopher Kasher said an inquiry on the matter is still ongoing. West Point officials haven’t revealed whether or not the soon-to-be graduates will be punished for their actions.

Lt. Col. Kasherdid not immediately respond to Complex’srequest for comment.

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