West Point: Drop Your Racist and Sexist Investigation
- by: Care2 Team
- recipient: West Point Academy
16 black female senior cadets are facing potential disciplinary actions from West Point Academy just for taking a celebratory photo together. In the photo, the women are holding up fists to symbolize solidarity and pride in their great accomplishment. But because their fists are black, the picture is being interpreted as a political statement, something that is expressly banned when in uniform. Even though the women have said this wasn't a political action, West Point is still investigating. Graduation is in less than two weeks. Sign this petition to tell West Point to close the investigation - the schooling and future careers of these 16 women hang in the balance.
Because the raised fist has been associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, some folks have called the photo a political statement. But this gesture is also seen displayed by cadets on West Point's campus any time the "Army Strong" theme from the recruitment commercial is played. Furthermore, leaders in the Black Lives Matter movement said the gesture didn't necessary ally the women with them. A female West Point alumna and Iraq veteran who knows and mentors some of the women said "For them it's not a sign of allegiance to a movement, it's a sign that means unity and pride and sisterhood. That fist to them meant you and your sisters did what only a few people, male or female, have ever done in this country."
Besides the racial component, West Point officials seem to be investigating on gendered grounds too. In 1976 - the year before women were admitted to West Point - the senior class protested the inclusion of women by posing with basketballs, soccer balls and footballs, saying they would be the last class "with balls." None of these men were disciplined for their political action. So the fact that women who weren't even protesting could be is a clear display of sexism at West Point.
West Point Academy has an entire office devoted to diversity and inclusion. Opening an investigation into black female students for no good reason is a direct attack on that diversity and inclusion. As it stands, these black women cadets represent less than 2% of their graduating class. If West Point Academy continues this investigation, they will be effectively telling all future black female cadets that they are unwanted. If on the other hand, West Point and by extension the U.S. Military actually do wish to foster diversity in the armed forces, they will drop this sexist and racist investigation immediately.
The 16 women in the powerful picture are being described as class leaders and athletes. They are good students, they are proud cadets, and they have successfully accomplished the difficult task of getting through school at West Point. Now West Point is looking to strip them of the pride they have earned. Sign the petition to urge West Point to drop the investigation into these seniors at once.16 black female senior cadets are facing potential disciplinary actions from West Point Academy just for taking a celebratory photo together. In the photo, the women are holding up fists to symbolize solidarity and pride in their great accomplishment. But because their fists are black, the picture is being interpreted as a political statement, something that is expressly banned when in uniform. Even though the women have said this wasn't a political action, West Point is still investigating. Graduation is in less than two weeks. Sign this petition to tell West Point to close the investigation - the schooling and future careers of these 16 women hang in the balance.
Because the raised fist has been associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, some folks have called the photo a political statement. But this gesture is also seen displayed by cadets on West Point's campus any time the "Army Strong" theme from the recruitment commercial is played. Furthermore, leaders in the Black Lives Matter movement said the gesture didn't necessary ally the women with them. A female West Point alumna and Iraq veteran who knows and mentors some of the women said "For them it's not a sign of allegiance to a movement, it's a sign that means unity and pride and sisterhood. That fist to them meant you and your sisters did what only a few people, male or female, have ever done in this country."
Besides the racial component, West Point officials seem to be investigating on gendered grounds too. In 1976 - the year before women were admitted to West Point - the senior class protested the inclusion of women by posing with basketballs, soccer balls and footballs, saying they would be the last class "with balls." None of these men were disciplined for their political action. So the fact that women who weren't even protesting could be is a clear display of sexism at West Point.
West Point Academy has an entire office devoted to diversity and inclusion. Opening an investigation into black female students for no good reason is a direct attack on that diversity and inclusion. As it stands, these black women cadets represent less than 2% of their graduating class. If West Point Academy continues this investigation, they will be effectively telling all future black female cadets that they are unwanted. If on the other hand, West Point and by extension the U.S. Military actually do wish to foster diversity in the armed forces, they will drop this sexist and racist investigation immediately.
The 16 women in the powerful picture are being described as class leaders and athletes. They are good students, they are proud cadets, and they have successfully accomplished the difficult task of getting through school at West Point. Now West Point is looking to strip them of the pride they have earned. Sign the petition to urge West Point to drop the investigation into these seniors at once.
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