US military officials are investigating an image of 16 black female cadets in uniform with their fists raised, which some say is a political act associated with African-Americans' quest for fair treatment under the law in the United States.
The photo came under scrutiny when concerns were raised that the pose violates West Point's honor code, which mirrors the Defense Department's federal Hatch Act, in that it prohibits members of the military to participate in political activities while in uniform.
The raised-fist image is now closely associated with the #BlackLivesMatter movement, which swept the country in the wake of several high-profile police killings of unarmed black men. The image picked up some traffic online, and drew criticism that the woman were expressing support for the movement, which is critical of law enforcement. For example, one twitter user under the slogan "BlueLivesMatter" a counter slogan supporting police was incensed. "Expel them and force them to repay their tuition" she wrote.
Fulton also points out that there's another tradition at West Point, wherein cadets raise their fists whenever the "Army Strong" theme from the recruitment commercials is played (as demonstrated in the video below). "It is unfortunate that a black first has a different connotation to a white fist," Fulton said. "It's not what these young women intended."
Doesn't matter what the students thought of their gesture. If they're in uniform as they were, then they represent the service and not themselves.
As such, they needed to get prior approval to publish their postings from their commandant/public relations in-charge.
In effect, they committed an act of insubordination and gross misjudgment of character in my eyes.
You do realize Magnus that tweaker2 summed up the entire situation perfectly by stating the rules that all cadets must adhere to.
I've never served so this is the first time I've heard of the "Army Strong" raised fist tradition. But it's interesting that only black fists are considered political gestures.
https://news.vice.com/article/black-female-cadets-under-investigation-for-raised-fist-picture
Isn't the black power fist with a straight arm? Like this:
It looks like they are all intentionally bending their elbows. Is the BLM fist done with a bent elbow?
black power...black lives matter, no question, they are just trying to back off it now that they got outed on the photo...similar to the white kids posing with the rebel flag
Sweet Lord, we're a nation of permanently butt-chapped delicate little special snow flakes just looking for a reason to be offended. If this constitutes "a political act", let's all hope that some political group doesn't adopt firing a weapon as one of their special acts lest our entire military be neutered.
It's not about offense at all, military people are subject to discipline for exercising their free speech rights while in uniform if it creates even the appearance of impropriety. Even the stupidest buck private in the Army knows that when you're in uniform and in public, you don't offer up unsolicited political statements or anything that can be interpreted as one if you don't want the Uniform Code of Military Justice hammer to be brought down upon you. This stuff ain't no joke either, as any veteran can tell you or you can just read about stories like this one.
That being said the punishment should reflect the relatively tame nature of what they did; a letter of reprimand is probably too harsh but is likely what they'll get as a verbal warning won't have the desired deterrent effect for others.
And the Academy has taken the cadets at their word and the matter is finished.
"The United States Military Academy at West Point announced on Tuesday that it would not punish 16 cadets who posed for a photograph last week with raised fists, saying the gesture was intended to show “unity” and “pride,” and did not violate Army regulations that prohibit engaging in partisan political activities while in uniform."
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/11/u...to.html&eventName=Watching-article-click&_r=0
And the Academy has taken the cadets at their word and the matter is finished.
"The United States Military Academy at West Point announced on Tuesday that it would not punish 16 cadets who posed for a photograph last week with raised fists, saying the gesture was intended to show unity and pride, and did not violate Army regulations that prohibit engaging in partisan political activities while in uniform."
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/11/u...to.html&eventName=Watching-article-click&_r=0
Doesn't matter what the students thought of their gesture. If they're in uniform as they were, then they represent the service and not themselves.
As such, they needed to get prior approval to publish their postings from their commandant/public relations in-charge.
In effect, they committed an act of insubordination and gross misjudgment of character in my eyes.
So explain the act of gross insubordination that during a West Point Band Concert, July 4th, 2011, during a performance of Army Strong.
Goggle: Army Strong, West Point Band
I consider those cadets very VERY lucky they got off clean, though I suspect the sensitivity of the situation had a lot to do with how it got handled. I'm thinking although on the face of it those cadets got a pass, internally they are unofficially receiving some kind of punitive action, mild as it would be, along with being considered radioactive by some classmates. And I'm also thinking that incident got recorded in their personnel files, where that kind of information could make the difference between getting fast tracked or getting turned down for a promotion in a "close call"........repeatedly.
So, you believe that the cadets are liars. Interesting.