An investigation into a controversial photo taken of black female cadets at West Point finds that the women were showing support as a team, not of any specific political movement, The Washington Post reports.
An inquiry of the women in the photo, as well as the photographer, found that the image was taken in the moment as a way to “showcase the awesome black women in our class,” USA Today reports one cadet said.
The photo, which went viral (particularly among the military community), features 16 black female cadets posing with their fists raised—a symbol many concluded was meant to make a political statement, such as showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, that should not have been done while in uniform. While most of us may be used to protest and dissent among the student body at our universities, that’s not how things work in the military.
After an investigation into the photo, the academy reported that the image was one of several different photos taken as part of an “Old Corps” photo shoot, a tradition for graduating seniors in which cadets take photos in serious poses similar to those seen in 19th century photographs, USA Today reports.
While the women will not face any disciplinary action, the academy found that the incident did constitute a teachable moment.
“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,” the Washington Post reports West Point superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr. wrote in a letter. “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.”
Meanwhile, the women did receive support for the photo from several female West Point graduates.
“Look, they are 16 African-American women graduating in a class of close to 1,000 cadets; they’ve worked hard, accomplished a lot, and I thought that the pride, unity, and determination that picture expressed was not only earned, but in keeping with the best of West Point traditions and values,” Sue Fulton, a West Point graduate, told The Washington Post.