The United States Military Academy at West Point cleared 16 Black women cadets of any wrongdoing following the aftermath of a viral photo showing them with raised fists. In a press release, the school announced that the 16 seniors had not violated any code of conduct or expressed support for any political movement.
“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,” said Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr., academy
superintendent, in a letter. “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 photo circulated on social media last week after a blogger caused an uproar, which is safe to now say, was nothing more than a bunch of noise.
Later this month, 18 Black women cadets at West Point will graduate from a class of more than 900.
Continue your celebrations, ladies. Nothing more to see here.
