Posted on May 4, 2016
Do you believe that these West Point first classman are violating the UCMJ by making a political statement while in uniform?
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DOD directive 1344.10 states:
-A member of the Armed Forces on active duty may:
4.1.1.3. Join a partisan or nonpartisan political club and attend its meetings when NOT in uniform, subject to the restrictions of subparagraph 4.1.2.4. (See DoD Instruction 1334.1 (Reference (c).)
From the article "Racism Within West Point"
http://www.inthearenafitness.com/index.php/racism-within-west-point
-A member of the Armed Forces on active duty may:
4.1.1.3. Join a partisan or nonpartisan political club and attend its meetings when NOT in uniform, subject to the restrictions of subparagraph 4.1.2.4. (See DoD Instruction 1334.1 (Reference (c).)
From the article "Racism Within West Point"
http://www.inthearenafitness.com/index.php/racism-within-west-point
Posted in these groups: 
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
Black Lives Matter
PoliticsUSCC
UCMJ
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point) Black Lives Matter PoliticsUSCC UCMJ
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 237
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LTC (Join to see)
SSG Robert Webster - Actually, my sarcastic posting of the photos was to point out the very issue that you pointed out. You can't judge the photos without context. But there is no context given about the photo of the black female cadets. But still, many are jumping to the conclusion that is is a political statement. It may turn out that they were, in fact, trying to show support for one group or another. Or it may turn out that they were expressing pride and support for each other and the obstacles they have overcome to make it so far at West Point, including some obstacles unique to being black female cadets. The thing is is that you just can't tell from looking at the photo. Yet many on here have stated that it is definitivelly a BLM salute. Others have called it a Black Panther salute from the 60s. (and those aren't the same groups by any means). So really my point is that people should stop judging the photo and the cadets until the actual facts are determined.
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A1C Melissa Jackson
SSG Robert Webster There IS a difference, and I DO know it.
The photograph under question right now is a bunch of black females- ALL IN ONE PLACE- making the same right arm raised up pose! Black female cadets in one place holding up their right arepms are WAY scarier than this majority white male photo. I mean, what if those black females actually thought they were OWED some RIGHTS?
Curses.
The photograph under question right now is a bunch of black females- ALL IN ONE PLACE- making the same right arm raised up pose! Black female cadets in one place holding up their right arepms are WAY scarier than this majority white male photo. I mean, what if those black females actually thought they were OWED some RIGHTS?
Curses.
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SSG Robert Webster
A1C Melissa Jackson - Is this statement in response to this statement or another of my statements in this thread? Your statement here is in line with other statements that I have made within this discussion, or was your comment meant to be directed at LTC Mathews? Please reread your statement and the statement/s that it is directed at. Thank you.
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This gets to one of my favorite topics: are young men and women at the Service Academies part of the Armed Forces? I've never understood the logic of having cadets be subjected to the UCMJ, paid by the military, etc, etc but not counting their service for things like retirement and pay. Before we address the question here about this photo, we need to resolve the bigger question.
For the record, I don't find that there is a UCMJ violation here, of any sort.
For the record, I don't find that there is a UCMJ violation here, of any sort.
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Maj Rob Drury
LTC (Join to see) - Well, not being an academy grad, I can't claim first-hand knowledge, but my UPT class was about 70% USAFA grads, more than one of whom told me that. Perhaps the situation has changed, or they were just knucklehead 2Lts who didn't know what they were talking about.
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PO2 Skip Kirkwood
It's the rule. It doesn't have to make sense. It's just a rule, because somebody with the authority to make the rules said so.
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LTC Robert McKenna
MAJ (Join to see) -
It took some time, but here is the info your seek..
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a348433.pdf
I believe the law in question was passed on 29 August 1916. If you go to the US Code at the Cornell Law Library and look up the appropriate section, then select the "notes" tab. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/971
The text will show that no service was credible after appointment as a cadet in 1913 (which on the date of the act would only be applicable to cadets then attending, or later attending, one of the service academies).
It took some time, but here is the info your seek..
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a348433.pdf
I believe the law in question was passed on 29 August 1916. If you go to the US Code at the Cornell Law Library and look up the appropriate section, then select the "notes" tab. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/971
The text will show that no service was credible after appointment as a cadet in 1913 (which on the date of the act would only be applicable to cadets then attending, or later attending, one of the service academies).
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That article doesn't make any sense. First, it gives no source as to why he thinks the picture is related to BLM. But also, he stated that the group had been addressing the issue behind closed doors to senior officers. What does that mean? I doubt any cadets were having meetings with senior officers to discuss police brutality. And if they were having discussions behind closed doors about racism at WP, isn't that exactly the venue they should be doing it? And lastly, his description of the goals of BLM is total bullshit.
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SSgt Stephen Mills
I do believe that they are giving the "Black Panther Salute." Must be an Ofc thing. Had a bunch of Lcpl's or Pvt's and a Spc or Sgt done this heads would roll. Some LTC or even a 2Lt would have them and the NCO's & SNCO in the chain of command and would hand out papers. Enough papers to wallpaper all of the Pentagon. But since they are Cadets it's ok. They are just trying to make a point about how racial relations are going down the Head. Add the fact that the POUTS has made this problem explode and since they are BF Cadets nothing would ever be done. They might go after the enlisted troop that posted this, if it was an enlisted. It seems that the Ofc's cared about policing other Ofc's this would not have gone on as long as it did.
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LTC (Join to see)
SSgt Stephen Mills - i didn't see anything in the article that supports all the conclusions you reached. As to the fists, it's sort of odd. Most of them seem to be deliberately holding their arms at a right angle rather than with the arm up and extended like the old black power salute was. The other thing is that the fist gesture has been used for many other things as well. Often it means solidarity. Heck, Bernie Sanders raises his fist at the podium during his speeches. I'm not saying the cadets are or are not violating any rule; i'm saying it's impossible to tell that from the photo alone, and the article appears to just be full of unsubstantiated opinion. Without knowing the context, simply posing while making a fist certainly isn't against any reg.
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CPT John Sheridan
If their generic symbol of solidarity is political group membership then so are Officers that give their Aggie or Longhorn hand greeting or Masons that do their secret handshake. Having now read another article by the same guy and looked at his website, it appears that the author has steroid enhanced mental faculties and gets very butthurt when he sees people with dark skin.
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MSgt Wayne Morris
CPT John Sheridan - Throwing the BS card on this one John. I was in the military in the early 70's and I know and remember what the raised fist symbolized and it is nothing like Hook Em Horns.
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CW3 Douglas Branson
LTC (Join to see) - Respectfully sir, Bernie Sanders and the GEN you posted are individuals in a picture and clearly using the symbol to represent strength and power. The cadets you posted are celebrating some sort of victory or graduation I assume, but are CLEARLY elated about whatever they accomplished. The young female cadets cannot even be remotely compared to the others. All but one or two have very solemn, militant faces....some of them even look reluctant to raise their arm because they know it is wrong (even if only in perception). I feel you are trying to compare apples to oranges, a peach and a pear.
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LTC (Join to see)
CW3 Douglas Branson - i think you are applying motive to the women based upon the lens you are looking through. You can tell reluctance from that picture? Actually, to me it's clear that the majority of them are not giving the arm fully extended salute that so many are trying to say is a "black panther" salute. It's quite clear that most of the women are doing a gesture that has the arm at a right angle on purpose, not reluctance. Other posters have said it's clearly a black panther salute because they remember it from the early 70s. So do I, but that was over 40 years ago. Back then, the only people who shaved their head were neo nazis. That's why they were called skin heads. Yet today all sorts of white people shave their heads, including some very senior Army officers, and no one says they are wearing a neonazi haircut.
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CAPT Bill Boniface
Let me simply ask all of you this: What is the effect of this on their ability to lead when they finish training and hit the "real world" field in a year or so and have troops under them? Can all troops feel they'll be treated fairly when they see this photo of their young lieutenant (and they will) two weeks before graduation from West Point? I don't look for a UCMJ violation -- I don't think there is one here -- but if I were the Superintendent (assuming he doesn't have a lot more information than we do here), I would graduate them a month after their class following a focused additional month of leadership training. This would give them credibility by referencing their own youthful mistake and remediation when challenged by their troops in the future. I also believe this is exactly what the Supe would do if it were a bunch of caucasian cadets from Alabama sporting a Confederate flag a few weeks before graduation. To me, it's all about their future credibility as leaders in the armed forces.
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SGT William Howell
Boy the bullshit is strong with this post. Being a lowly NCO I am fully skilled in cutting though officer bullshit. You can take it or leave it, but perception is reality.
These black female cadets are posing showing there support for Black Lives Matter. They are not cheering for their favorite sports team, they are not supporting anything that West Point has to offer. They are making a statement, "We are black, we are female, we are part of West Point, and we support the BLM movement."
I don't care what they are doing. Nor, do I care if they are right or wrong. Just trying to make sure some peoples bullshit doesn't get out of control.
My final thought, if this were white male cadets, holding right hands above their heads, fingers extended, which one of you bullshitters would say that they were just waving to momma?
These black female cadets are posing showing there support for Black Lives Matter. They are not cheering for their favorite sports team, they are not supporting anything that West Point has to offer. They are making a statement, "We are black, we are female, we are part of West Point, and we support the BLM movement."
I don't care what they are doing. Nor, do I care if they are right or wrong. Just trying to make sure some peoples bullshit doesn't get out of control.
My final thought, if this were white male cadets, holding right hands above their heads, fingers extended, which one of you bullshitters would say that they were just waving to momma?
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CW3 Douglas Branson
LTC (Join to see) - Not sure what that has to do with anything sir....Lots of blacks and Hispanics shave their heads too. With everything that is going on today, I gave my feelings about what I believed the picture represented. Regardless of their intent, it is counter to our colorless military and inclusiveness for all. Whether punishable by UCMJ or not, I don't believe it sets a good example for future leaders.
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SPC James Harsh
Sir, I would like to see them be allowed to submit a statement because of the amount of attention received. This photo could be interpreted as a way to promote empowerment of black females if in fact it is a depiction referencing a BLM hand gesture. I don't think it is promoting subversion within the ranks of the military as a means of power. If simply showing hard work and dedication as a means to empower oneself as positive role models which is relatively harmless. I'm just in agreement that it may not be derogatory regardless of being allowed an expression or no.
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SGT Philip Keys
Well you just proved him right, O-5 and above actually support this type of behavior. Unless I'm reading your comment completely wrong BLM is a terrorist group and should be labeled as such. Police brutality really? The only case that was way out of line was South Carolina shooting. So thanks for proving the SFC to be 100% right about what he said. These soon to be ring knockers are a disgrace showing their support for a racist hate group.
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SGT Philip Keys
CPT John Sheridan - wow you read that deep into this? So CPT Liberal you support future army officers promoting a hate group? Wow all I can say is wow. If these were white kids all hell would be breaking loose...
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CPT John Sheridan
SGT Philip Keys - My point included a bit of irony, but was intended to say that people are reading things into the photo that aren't necessarily there. Just like you are making presumptions about my politics. They see what they want to. One can identify a number of facts from looking at the photo. The intent of the cadets, their group memberships, etc. aren't among them. Certainly the individual that wrote article didn't treat it objectively.
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SGT Philip Keys
CPT John Sheridan - CPT Sheridan nice response; I agree with you on the whole liberal thing, I shouldn't assume. These cadets are wrong and if they want to be beyonce they should get out of the army and start singing careers.
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CPT John Sheridan
SGT Philip Keys - It's at least worthy of a looking into by their chain of command and perhaps admonishment for ill advised use of social media.
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LTC Stephen Conway
SGT Philip Keys - I read a post the Females from USMA are not in trouble after all. It is ok. What they did was not against the code.
I have a separate incident that happened when I was in Theater. We had a soldier killed in combat. The BDE S-2 or Bn S-2 contacted the rear det commander who then called the wife of the deceased and told her to not go to work and to stay home. She stayed home and was traumatized when the Casualty Assistance team came to her door. She knew and told them she was upset at being tipped off.
I was present when the General heard the news. The S-2 was given UCMJ action for breaking SOP. The rear det commander was fired. He was stateside and probably got a GOMAR. One was title 32 and one was title 10. What title are the USMC student on?
Why is title 32 in the USA less than title 10 in Theater mean less punishment for the guy who tipped of the wife of the deceased?
I have a separate incident that happened when I was in Theater. We had a soldier killed in combat. The BDE S-2 or Bn S-2 contacted the rear det commander who then called the wife of the deceased and told her to not go to work and to stay home. She stayed home and was traumatized when the Casualty Assistance team came to her door. She knew and told them she was upset at being tipped off.
I was present when the General heard the news. The S-2 was given UCMJ action for breaking SOP. The rear det commander was fired. He was stateside and probably got a GOMAR. One was title 32 and one was title 10. What title are the USMC student on?
Why is title 32 in the USA less than title 10 in Theater mean less punishment for the guy who tipped of the wife of the deceased?
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COL Sam Russell - See some cadets doing a goofy pose. OK... let's address that 500-lb gorilla: They're all black women and some have a raised fist. Where's the violation?! We see what we want. Maybe the pic has been taken out of text? Could they all be signing the international sign language letter "a" for "Army?" (Poignantly, the pic is directly in front of the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic.)
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COL Sam Russell
Capt Mark Strobl Here is one West Point Alumnae's response to the photo (not the article).
http://lelav.blogspot.com/2016/05/having-black-unity-and-pride-as-black.html
http://lelav.blogspot.com/2016/05/having-black-unity-and-pride-as-black.html
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COL (Join to see)
COL Sam Russell Sir, I read the article above. By the authors logic a counterargument:
12 female Caucasian cadets gather, throw up their left hand in a fashion similar to the salute that recent history attributes to the white supremacists and take a picture.
They then hashtag #whitewomenrule (as these cadets hashtagged blackwomen rule). People see the image. What will the response be like?
Will the academy believe that they classify as Roman Army aficionados? (the salute has an equal deep historic background all the way to Ancient Greece) or they will get burned at the nearest stake?
Every person should be proud of their heritage and where they are coming from in life. I fear this particular picture was thoughtless in this age and time, semantics matter, officers are meant to lead, to unite all those under them to achieve the mission in hand, this picture doesn't serve that purpose.
12 female Caucasian cadets gather, throw up their left hand in a fashion similar to the salute that recent history attributes to the white supremacists and take a picture.
They then hashtag #whitewomenrule (as these cadets hashtagged blackwomen rule). People see the image. What will the response be like?
Will the academy believe that they classify as Roman Army aficionados? (the salute has an equal deep historic background all the way to Ancient Greece) or they will get burned at the nearest stake?
Every person should be proud of their heritage and where they are coming from in life. I fear this particular picture was thoughtless in this age and time, semantics matter, officers are meant to lead, to unite all those under them to achieve the mission in hand, this picture doesn't serve that purpose.
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They all should be dropped from the rolls and sent home with a BCD. They do this in the active military and publicly disgrace those who perform a similar action. If they are to be kept, graduated and commissioned, a permanent GO reprimand should be placed in their files and never be promoted. The regulations apply to them as well, use it on them. This is why the discipline in the service is at a shit level. Every competent or so called competent leader is afraid of their own shadow. They hide behind the political system cowering to the ignorance of society.
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I see nothing... I just hope when they graduate... they are humble and appreciative.
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No. BLM is an activist "movement". They have no set leadership, no set chapters, and most of the time when someone "claims" BLM they're NOT BLM. Had BLM been a political party, or an arm of a political party THEN yes they would clearly be in violation. "Soldier of Steel" if this is who I think it is, he should just go away and be quiet. He had no issues complaining in uniform about not making SFC and how bad the Army was since he did what he "thought" was "required" to make rank. He got out. I've been kicked down SO hard, I thought down was up! I had REAL NCO's who grabbed my collar, slapped me at parade rest, and practiced PLF's in my ass. Those NCO's made me stay the course and NOT QUIT. So maybe in this situation this "Soldier of Steel" is actually a "Soldier of Weakness or fortune". NCO's know good and damn well that not everyone will make it to the SNCO ranks. It's a fact of life. Do we quit and say "fuck it" I don't want to play anymore? Hells naw. Put your damn pride in your pocket, readjust your damn attitude, and figure out how to help someone ELSE make it where you couldn't. I don't blame anyone BUT myself for not making it, and I DAMN sure won't make videos stating otherwise. Are these the future leaders we want leading our troops? HELLS YEAH. They stayed the course, saw it to the end, and will graduate and continue on leading until either they reach the end of their contracts, or retire with dignity.
BTW "Soldier of Steel"....those "Ladies" in that picture are SOLDIERS. Maybe you should learn basic terms and realize that they fucking EARNED that right to be called SOLDIERS! Get over yourself clown.
BTW "Soldier of Steel"....those "Ladies" in that picture are SOLDIERS. Maybe you should learn basic terms and realize that they fucking EARNED that right to be called SOLDIERS! Get over yourself clown.
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Sgt Edward Padget
Actually they are cadets or classmen till they graduate then they'll be officers. They've not yet graduated so they've not yet earned the "title" of soldier. I disagree with you on BLM I think they have a set leadership. They've done to many things and mustered to many people not to have some sort of organization. I don't think most guys like you and I are privy to that info but there is clearly a puppetmaster within that "movement".
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SSG Warren Swan
Sgt Edward Padget - They are Cadets until they graduate, but they will STILL be Soldiers. Being a Soldier isn't an enlisted or an officer thing, it's A thing period. We can disagree with what BLM is, but information wise, you'd be wrong. BLM isn't just some poor black folk with time on their hands since they are on EBT. There are a lot of educated brothers and sisters, who are productive in their communities who claim BLM, but know that there is no formal leadership in BLM. It's not some mega underground thing. It's much like occupy wall street was. A bunch of small grassroots protesters who came together at one time, and were grouped as one under a banner that some of them never knew about until later. I've said it before on here; most who claim BLM are NOT in any way shape or form BLM. They're opportunists, followers looking to do ignorance and use BLM as a scape goat. I support BLM in some of their peaceful protests, and equally condemn them in their more violent ones. BTW most of the rioters in Ferguson, weren't from there. They had no connection to BLM. They were bused there from areas away as far as NYC. Some came to do peaceful protests, and then there are the others who saw a chance to "get a cop" or act a complete ass.
BTW I know you didn't insinuate anything in my comment, so how I described BLM did not in any way come from your mouth or your keyboard. It is a commonly held thought that is wrong.
BTW I know you didn't insinuate anything in my comment, so how I described BLM did not in any way come from your mouth or your keyboard. It is a commonly held thought that is wrong.
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I suspect they'll be walking penalty tours until graduation. That being said...
I don't buy the comparison of a black person's raised fist to that of a Nazi salute. I hate comparisons to Nazis or Hitler, as not even Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge stacked up to the systematic mass extermination that the Nazis exacted. Perhaps only Josef Stalin rises to that level. A raised fist by a group of black women on the threshold of graduation from USMA--no comparison.
I also hate the comparison with a bunch of white southerners with a rebel flag or kkk hoods. One represents anti-union, pro-slavery sentiments that resulted in 650,000 American deaths, the other has at times been an American terrorist organization bent on subjugating a race of people through murder, intimidation, and denial of rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. BLM, BP, BLA, as offensive as those groups may be to some, they are not in the same infamous league as the Confederate Army or the KKK.
I could be wrong, but I don't believe the DoD or DoA have classified a black raised fist as a racist symbol. I also doubt the USMA administration could show intent of either a political statement, or a racist statement. About the only thing they could hold these women accountable for is bringing discredit to the Academy. In the politically charged environment that is this election year, there is no way the current executive administration would tolerate USMA or DoD denying every African American female senior at USMA from graduating or being commissioned.
Not gonna happen. Nor should it.
There is a great learning opportunity here for these women, and I am sure that the USMA administration will bring that lesson home. In the end, these women will be better officers for it.
I don't buy the comparison of a black person's raised fist to that of a Nazi salute. I hate comparisons to Nazis or Hitler, as not even Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge stacked up to the systematic mass extermination that the Nazis exacted. Perhaps only Josef Stalin rises to that level. A raised fist by a group of black women on the threshold of graduation from USMA--no comparison.
I also hate the comparison with a bunch of white southerners with a rebel flag or kkk hoods. One represents anti-union, pro-slavery sentiments that resulted in 650,000 American deaths, the other has at times been an American terrorist organization bent on subjugating a race of people through murder, intimidation, and denial of rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. BLM, BP, BLA, as offensive as those groups may be to some, they are not in the same infamous league as the Confederate Army or the KKK.
I could be wrong, but I don't believe the DoD or DoA have classified a black raised fist as a racist symbol. I also doubt the USMA administration could show intent of either a political statement, or a racist statement. About the only thing they could hold these women accountable for is bringing discredit to the Academy. In the politically charged environment that is this election year, there is no way the current executive administration would tolerate USMA or DoD denying every African American female senior at USMA from graduating or being commissioned.
Not gonna happen. Nor should it.
There is a great learning opportunity here for these women, and I am sure that the USMA administration will bring that lesson home. In the end, these women will be better officers for it.
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A1C Melissa Jackson
COL Sam Russell
I think your response to this matter is ABSOLUTELY reasonable and fair-minded.
I guess to others who howl in disgust about there being ANY show of racial unity in the service- you ARE aware, aren't you, that it was not very long ago in historical terms that black people and then female people were not even permitted to APPLY for the service academies, right?
I think your response to this matter is ABSOLUTELY reasonable and fair-minded.
I guess to others who howl in disgust about there being ANY show of racial unity in the service- you ARE aware, aren't you, that it was not very long ago in historical terms that black people and then female people were not even permitted to APPLY for the service academies, right?
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SSG Roger Ayscue
A1C Melissa Jackson - Why is it that "Racial Unity" is just fine UNLESS it is White Racial Unity...then it it racism and against military regulations?
We NEED to STOP being an "Anything-American" and just be AMERICANS. I don't have a hyphen. I am not an Anything-American. I am a Soldier First. A SOLDIER. I don't have a hyphen and I DO NOT want or need one.
It would be wonderful if the Upper Chain of Command would adopt this. BUT the Army especially, has developed an EO Quota system, and senior promotion system that is carried out in secret, with NO Checks or balances, No way for those not promoted to make sure that they were considered fairly. The Senior Enlisted promotion system is carried out in secret, and uses race, gender and I suspect sexuality soon, as promotion criteria, ability and competence be damned. Racism is alive and well in the United States Army, and it is NOT what you think. Say it is not so? When was the last time that a promotion list was recalled because there were not enough whites on it?....(I'll save you the time of looking....NEVER.) This means that IF, in order to meet EO Goals/Quotas, you have to skip EVEN ONE white male to promote enough of something else, then you skipped an individual that WAS MORE QUALIFIED than the one that was promoted.
Racism has no place in the Army, and when you start the house cleaning, start in the EO department First.
We NEED to STOP being an "Anything-American" and just be AMERICANS. I don't have a hyphen. I am not an Anything-American. I am a Soldier First. A SOLDIER. I don't have a hyphen and I DO NOT want or need one.
It would be wonderful if the Upper Chain of Command would adopt this. BUT the Army especially, has developed an EO Quota system, and senior promotion system that is carried out in secret, with NO Checks or balances, No way for those not promoted to make sure that they were considered fairly. The Senior Enlisted promotion system is carried out in secret, and uses race, gender and I suspect sexuality soon, as promotion criteria, ability and competence be damned. Racism is alive and well in the United States Army, and it is NOT what you think. Say it is not so? When was the last time that a promotion list was recalled because there were not enough whites on it?....(I'll save you the time of looking....NEVER.) This means that IF, in order to meet EO Goals/Quotas, you have to skip EVEN ONE white male to promote enough of something else, then you skipped an individual that WAS MORE QUALIFIED than the one that was promoted.
Racism has no place in the Army, and when you start the house cleaning, start in the EO department First.
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COL Sam Russell this is tough but after sitting on this for a day I'd say the photo merits punishment. Though imagine the PR issues USMA will deal with if and when they do hand down a punishment...especially if these ladies do not graduate on time in a few weeks.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
CPT (Anonymous) - I point out that while Black pride is encouraged, white pride is punished. Prove me wrong.
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CPT Russell Pitre
SSG Roger Ayscue - it looks like some think that we have some sort of white privilege. Because of that we owe it to others for them not having it. I'm white but I still haven't got my check in the mail yet. So they don't deserve anything special either.
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Maj Rob Drury
CPT (Anonymous) - "...and yes it is a priviledge [SIC] that your ancestors were not slaves."
Maybe you should check your history before you spew such horseshit.
Historically, slavery has been sufficiently prevalent that almost every human on this planet has slaves within his lineage. If you want to limit it to US history, most whites in this country today did not have slave owners or traders in their lineage, nor (regardless of what the propagandists may say) did they benefit materially from slavery; at least not as much as black Americans today who might otherwise be experiencing a third world existence far worse than even the poorest American today. I'm not suggesting that slaves were done a favor by being brought here, but it could be strongly argued that their descendants were.
Keep in mind that every race on this planet has owned and been owned in slavery. More germane to your statement, YOUR descendants (assuming they were US slaves) were ALL sold by their fellow BLACK countrymen to slave traders, many of whom were also black.
Maybe you should check your history before you spew such horseshit.
Historically, slavery has been sufficiently prevalent that almost every human on this planet has slaves within his lineage. If you want to limit it to US history, most whites in this country today did not have slave owners or traders in their lineage, nor (regardless of what the propagandists may say) did they benefit materially from slavery; at least not as much as black Americans today who might otherwise be experiencing a third world existence far worse than even the poorest American today. I'm not suggesting that slaves were done a favor by being brought here, but it could be strongly argued that their descendants were.
Keep in mind that every race on this planet has owned and been owned in slavery. More germane to your statement, YOUR descendants (assuming they were US slaves) were ALL sold by their fellow BLACK countrymen to slave traders, many of whom were also black.
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IMO this is a politically racist statement and in violation of DoD directives.
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SSgt Jim Gilmore
PFC Alexander Oliveira - Perhaps you should read a bit on the history of the black power salute first seen in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
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Sgt Edward Padget
PFC Alexander Oliveira - It depends on how you view the gesture. Is it political or racial? It seems the majority of the viewers here think it's racially motivated. They are hating on the white race of course. That's what the whole "racial war" has always been about- black against white. It can be construed as racists because that gesture links back to the Black Power movement which was supported by known black racists like Malcolm X and the Black Panthers. The argument is are these women saying that or are they saying something completely different? Judging by the half hearted attempt by the majority of them to even extend the arm fully I'm guessing they don't even know what they're doing or why they are doing it :) It'll be interesting to see what their response the allegations will be.
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Sgt Edward Padget
SSgt Jim Gilmore, lol, doesn't that make ya' feel old that you actually have some historical information that some people may have never heard of ;) Hang in there buddy it'll only get more interesting from here.
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SSgt Jim Gilmore
It appears the O-9 Superintendent of the USMA has sold out for political correctness.
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