West Point, a prestigious institution widely known to graduate the nation’s cream of the crop, was at the center of controversy when sixteen African American female cadets put a twist on the age old tradition of posing for an 1800’s style photo. Typically grads take on smileless, straight-forward poses, but this group of ladies chose to mix things up a little in a third pose when their stoic faces were accompanied by raised fists while standing in a sort of formation.
Female West Point cadets won’t face punishment for raising fists in photo: https://t.co/qFjFLVKy4K pic.twitter.com/MDVp0sSpb6
— The Root (@TheRoot) May 14, 2016
According to the original blog post by John Burk that ignited national media attention, the image portrayed by the cadets was disrespectful and an unprofessional tribute to the Black Lives Matter campaign. Even the Army Times suggested the ladies use of clenched fists was in support of racially motivated groups and incorrectly asserted, “the raised fist is a symbol associated with Black Lives Matter, although it’s been used for centuries to symbolize resistance by a number of groups, from labor unions to suffragists to socialists to the Black Panthers.”
Following the growing controversy, the cadets were placed under investigation for biased political activities by the United States military, jeopardizing their right to participate in graduation on May 21. But now the New York Times reports the group has been cleared of all potential wrongdoing. Now, more questions have arisen surrounding the school’s lack of diversity.
Firestorm erupts after black women at West Point put their own spin on the traditional graduation photo. https://t.co/Wfx6DioB0y
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 14, 2016
Enthralled by the controversial pose, some onlookers were not concerned that the group is the institution’s largest group of their kind. The pose was not a tribute to their participation in Black Lives Matter, as assumed by bloggers and other members of West Point. But, instead, the pose was to show the ladies sense of “unity, solidarity and pride” – all which are neither prohibited nor a violation of the U.S. Army’s standards.
The investigator, whose name was redacted from the final report, concluded, “I find that, based upon available evidence, none of the participants, through their actions intended to show support for a political movement.”
In an open letter between West Point academy and the cadets , Lieutenant General and Superintendent Robert Caslen, Jr. stated that while the gesture is a commonly used symbol, that the unintended consequence was division and a learning experience.
“We must all learn from this incident. As members of the Profession of Arms, we are held to a high standard, where our actions are constantly observed and scrutinized in the public domain. 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. Accordingly the Commandant will administer a developmental block of instruction for these cadets to address their intent versus the impact of the photo. These are teaching points that must be captured, and this is an opportunity to learn them.”
Alumni and mentor to 16 of the schools 18 female cadets, Mary Tobin, stated the perception of the women in the photo was incorrect and spoke out in support of her team during the controversial exploitation on social media. According to her, the photo had nothing to do with politics and more to do with solidarity and satisfaction.
“They weren’t doing it to be aligned with any particular movement or any particular party. It was, ‘We did it and we did it together.’”
![[Photo by Getty Images | Rob Carr]](http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/West-Point.jpg)
Although the investigation proved in favor of the young ladies, it offered insight on other issues that may be affecting the historical school. Currently, the school is filled with a 70 percent white and 80 percent male population. And, while alumni and Lt. General Robert Caslen, Jr state the clenched fist is used as part of sporting chants and other events without the backlash, the issues of this offense lead many to ponder if the lack of diversity contributed to the views surrounding the photos. Many question whether the women were held to a different standard.
What are your thoughts on the controversy surrounding the ladies pose at West Point? Were the clenched fists in the photo worth an investigation by the military or were the women held to double standards?
[Photo by Getty Images/Stephen Chermin]
