16 West Point cadets cadets in raised-fist photo won't be punished

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

Dude, I don't care that most of these women are black. I am not attacking any race... Yes, there are whites that also use the fist to show "socialist solidarity" even other West Point cadets. It is what it is, and has been a symbol of very socialist solidarity. They can try to claim the contrary but as West Point cadets they know the history of this movement.

But yeah, instead of actually arguing the point, you, just like a couple other mods, decide to take swipes at me. Guess what, you take swipes at me for having my own opinion I will respond back in kind.

These cadets aren't unaware of what that sign actually symbolises, and as already shown, part of the curriculum of all west point cadets is to marginalize anyone who is not a liberal, progressive or socialist.

a reply to: matafuchs


These black cadets only did what all other cadets do. That's the reality, and reality is what matters.
They weren't punished, because they didn't do anything wrong. And that is the end of the story.

Either let all cadets raise their fists in uniform, or prohibit all cadets from raising their fists in uniform. It would be truly sad to prohibit it since it has been a long-time tradition.

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
This is among the stupidest manufactured outrage to ever cross my eyes.

Time to repeat this thought.

Lots of "projection" claiming to be "perception" in this thread.

Just chiming in to say it's not a particularly dignified photo. Personally, I think people in uniform at West Point should show more dignity and respect for the location and uniform. I would say the same if they were male and white. Frankly, they look slouchy, slack-jawed and undignified.

As someone who had family in two branches of military service I never saw them posing like slackers in uniform.

I'm very disappointed in my fellow women. If they'd not been in uniform, I wouldn't care. But good grief. Male or female, when you're in uniform stand up straight and look the part. That's not just YOUR uniform or achievement, you're representing our country and institutions.

originally posted by: ElectricUniverse
a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

Dude, I don't care that most of these women are black. I am not attacking any race... Yes, there are whites that also use the fist to show "socialist solidarity" even other West Point cadets. It is what it is, and has been a symbol of very socialist solidarity. They can try to claim the contrary but as West Point cadets they know the history of this movement.

But yeah, instead of actually arguing the point, you, just like a couple other mods, decide to take swipes at me. Guess what, you take swipes at me for having my own opinion I will respond back in kind.

These cadets aren't unaware of what that sign actually symbolises, and as already shown, part of the curriculum of all west point cadets is to marginalize anyone who is not a liberal, progressive or socialist.

the folks who signed those same documents decided there is nothing to see here

why do you insist there actually is ?

originally posted by: draoicht

Time to repeat this thought.

Lots of "projection" claiming to be "perception" in this thread.

Right, so if a group of people actually took a photo of themselves using the NAZI salute but then claimed it only represented their own solidarity they wouldn't still be considered NAZIS?...

That seems to be the point some people are trying to make.

West Point cadets are not stupid or unaware of the history of that sort of symbol. They knew exactly what they were doing, they just didn't care.

a reply to: syrinx high priest

Because he thinks west point is some kind of commie indoctrination center now.

originally posted by: matafuchs
a reply to: kaylaluv

If they can do it we can do it huh? How about it is not we, or us, or them and it is everyone? And who said that the black cadets had to change? There were 9 pictures taken.

It is about perception which is exactly what the West Point investigators said. Even some of the kids. Because of how it could be perceived.

Do you not understand that part? Perception.

Perception matters to a manager, to someone with fiduciary responsibility.

To a group of kids? Nah....perception is the problem of the brass. Not them.

To be honest, I can't fathom living in a world where perceptions trump intentions.

a reply to: ElectricUniverse

You have shown the ability to act as an apologist for the earliest example of Adolf Hitlers Foreign Policy in this thread.

My understanding of history is not as simplistic as the version you enjoy.

I doubt we can find any point to agree on.

I will light a candle for you.

a reply to: SisterDelirium

Just chiming in to say it's not a particularly dignified photo. Personally, I think people in uniform at West Point should show more dignity and respect for the location and uniform. I would say the same if they were male and white. Frankly, they look slouchy, slack-jawed and undignified.

Again, the pose is a type of tradition at west Point, in homage to the old-school poses an earlier era of West Pointers struck:



Even the raised fist is a tradition at West Point, it's even part of their fight song. The ONLY outrage here is one being manufactured by idiots online simply because these cadets are black women.

a reply to: Blackmarketeer

I wasn't aware. Still, I don't care for it , stylistically. Even the historical photo looks like a heap of bratty school boys. Meh. Stupid tradition in my opinion. Why work that hard and then flop around like slobs. I don't get it.

Can they get in trouble?

The women may have run run afoul of West Point's Honor Code, or Department of Defense Directive 1344.10, Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces, said Greg Greiner, a military law expert and partner at the Tully Rinckey law firm.

Even if the intent was not to make a political statement — for example, if "group think" set in or the cadets were just "messing around" — they could still be in trouble, Greiner explained.

Army Times

The photograph was one of three poses the women took in dress uniforms, the inquiry said, adding that the women said their intent was to “showcase the awesome black women in our class.” After taking a serious photograph, and one making silly faces, two cadets proposed raising fists.

Other women were hesitant, the investigator found. They said, “Are we really doing this?” But one cadet assured them, “We won’t get in trouble,” according to the inquiry’s findings.

The photograph, which circulated via Facebook and Twitter, angered some at West Point who found the raised fist — long associated with black power movements — offensive and divisive. Several members of the military alerted military newspapers and bloggers, saying the women had violated Army regulations.

NY Times

Calling a spade a spade?

In online forums and email chains, a combination of active duty servicemembers, former members of the military and everyday citizens had already reached a verdict — guilty. Guilty not only of blurring the line between social activism and military regulation, but also of embodying a cancer of political correctness destroying our military. Many went further, assassinating the combined character of the 16 women and dismissing their hard-fought accomplishments as perks of affirmative action.

USA Today

People who aren't restricted in their speech telling it the way they really see it. At that time your military doesn't measure up when it counts, remember it was you who didn't complain loud enough about letting riffraff into the leadership ranks.

a reply to: Martin75

That is not a Nazi salute. The Nazi salute is with open hand.

Thread is based on wrong premise.

a reply to: ElectricUniverse

I didn't take a swipe at you.

But if this isn't about race...then what is it about?

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
But if this isn't about race...then what is it about?

It is about race. You see the male clown-asses running around post in their purple and gold robes. You see people like these 'cadets' doing their black-power salute. ... And then you swallow (hook, line and sinker) their words that, "Oh noes, massa, it ain't nuttin' like dem tings wasizza running tru yo mind. We juss'a proud colored folk!!"

Man ... I'll listen to it IRL and chalk it up to PCness. But, don't put someone on the spot and then expect me to keep my mouth shut or my opinion to myself.

a reply to: Snarl

Oh, you're right. This story has nothing to do with attempting to force people to change their behavior due to skin color. I remember when we were all outraged about this incident:




The story that is run in the news doesn't simply forget to mention that they are black. Its a complete nonissue to the story. I don't know what I was thinking.

CNN Reports: West Point clears black cadets over raised-fists photo

originally posted by: draoicht
You have shown the ability to act as an apologist for the earliest example of Adolf Hitlers Foreign Policy in this thread.
...

I am not a nazi, or skin head and do not condone what Hitler and the NAZIs did, or do to this day... If I saw cadets from West Point doing the NAZI salute I would be reacting in the same manner. People do have free will, and as long as they are not violent they can follow any ideology they want.

But West Point cadets are not supposed to show any type of political support in uniform. These are not the only cadets doing this.

originally posted by: ElectricUniverse


But West Point cadets are not supposed to show any type of political support in uniform. These are not the only cadets doing this.

THis is correct.

And i should be clear that I am not intending to insinuate that anyone participating here is a racist or anything like that.

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

There are still people that remember what the black panthers did in the 60s. Which is why you see more uproar. Apart from being a socialist sign of "solidarity" it is the same sign used by the black panthers, since they are very Marxist.

There are still former black panther members living in Cuba who have murdered police officers in the U.S., and to this day there are groups that glorify what these people did.

originally posted by: syrinx high priest

the folks who signed those same documents decided there is nothing to see here

why do you insist there actually is ?

Oh, you mean the same folks that have been introducing this type of indoctrination are saying these cadets intended something else?... Who would have thought?