I turned on the news this morning to this story and I just had to give my commentary. The gist of it is this apparently at West Point Military Academy when you are getting ready to graduate you pose for a class photo. Like previous cadets before them these young African American female cadets got together for their photo and this was the result. As you can see they have raised fists and swords in this pic. I want to bring to your attention another photo of West Point alum also shows them with fists in the air. (from @SueFulton)
You may notice a difference between the two pics in that the women in the first pic are young and Black and the women in the second pic well.. are not. The women in the 1st picture are being investigated by the US Military academy. SO what’s the problem? Whats the difference? Why is this an issue? Well I think its fear. See we have been conditioned as Blacks not to ever express ourselves openly (why we code switch). And as women we are taught to always know our place. Both of these things = Oppression. However, we CAN dedicate and give our lives for this country. But we must do so while never making them uncomfortable.
Being accepted for admission to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point is an exceptional honor reserved for our nation’s most promising students. ~ www.USMA.edu
Having young United States militarized Black women raising their fists… oh Lord that’s scary! <<whispers>> What are they up to? What are they planning? Now keep in mind that West Point Military is known for it’s so called “rape culture” and abuse of women and holds many allegations of a sexual nature and racism within its history. But God forbid some young ladies raise up their fists! I’ve read comments on the internet that compare a Black person with a raised fist to the raised arm of Hitler!!! wtf? how? That’s fear. Whether they did it in solidarity because they are graduating or whether they did because it is a symbol of their Blackness or whether they did it in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement matters not to me!! These young ladies should be celebrated and not condemned. They have accomplished the task of graduating from the prestigious West Point Military Academy where some of world’s greatest leaders have come from. And they probably did so under extreme conditions and pressure. Why is it that a gesture that in any language/culture implies celebration and victory becomes threatening when a Black person displays it?
What is everyone so afraid of!? Why do Black Fists Scare You!?
Comments
