In particular, the inquiry sought to determine whether the cadets were making a prohibited political statement with the photo. The inquiry found that the cadets did not pre-plan or set out to make a political statement. As did many of their classmates, this group took multiple graduation photos, some of which were in a long-held tradition of mimicking nineteenth-century cadet photos. The inquiry concluded that the photo in question was taken on the spur of the moment and was intended to demonstrate their pride in graduating from one of the most challenging undergraduate experiences in the country.
The impact of this photo was division, not the shared unity that it intended. It is clear in retrospect that the symbol of the clenched fist carries with it many, varied and emotional responses. Symbols mean many things to many people.
Some have suggested that this photo solely represents political activism. The inquiry determined that this is not the case and the Commandant and I accept that finding. Groups at West Point have used clenched-fists in the past year to represent support for a team, or pride in serving the Army and the Nation. For instance, last July, the class of 2019 spontaneously raised their fist in pride upon the playing of the Army Strong song during the Fourth of July concert. Last December, on the night before the Army-Navy game, I joined hundreds of staff and graduates in raising our fist in support of the Army football team during the Army-Navy pep rally video. The time, place and manner of a symbol can also hold significant meaning and influence perception.
While the inquiry did not find that these cadets violated a policy or regulation, it did determine that they demonstrated a lapse of awareness in how symbols and gestures can be misinterpreted and cause division. The impact of this photo, regardless of its intent, is evident. It is unfortunate that this perception brought attention to our Alma Mater for all the wrong reasons.
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. There are teaching points that must be captured, and this is an opportunity to learn them.
The four-year West Point leader development experience is centered on the reality that we must build teams where everyone feels that they are a valued member. Our Army's mission to fight and win our nation's wars demands it.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Caslen, Jr. Lieutenant General, US Army Superintendent
And we expect these people to defend our country! NEVER
Our military is going to split into factions.
Calling it a “whitewash” somehow seems inappropriate.
Meanwhile, if your dorm door whiteboard has even the TINIEST Bible citation, you will be in BIIIG TROUBLE —it’s very, very serious.
The whole West Point faculty will be looking into why you were PROSELYTIZING OTHERS.
And then they will hurry back to their chore of building an equally-sized church just for WITCHES.
I’m serious.
Black privilege.
They are going to make great leaders...
This result was baked in the cake, based on melanin content.
The Honor Code is dead, which means the academy is dead.
The coming election will determine if it can ever be resurrected.
Of Course they did. Nobody was “offended” and no “safe zones” were violated. The board of inquiry just don’t want a bunch of cadets walking around with Bibles and crucifixes. All hell would break loose.
And the Army will make excuses for them and accept substandard performance just as long as they want to stay in.
This I do NOT understand.
“Racism? What racism? These are negroes, only Caucasians are racist!”
Squiggle and squirm for Obama.
So I guess overt demonstrations of Cadet support for a White Power movement will be okay too.....
Yet another reason I wouldn’t let my kids join the military today.
The Congressional black caucus picked a nice group of yutes to send to school.
The fish rots from the head down.
“The inquiry concluded that the photo was among several taken in the spur-of-the-moment. It was intended
to demonstrate “unity” and “pride,” according to the findings of the inquiry.”
Uhhh, bullsh@t.
I’m afraid our military could not win against a real foe. It has been de-nutted.
So, how would they feel if they threw up a gang sign? I mean, it wasn’t preplanned, and just done spur of the moment to show team bonding, right?