On a separate and unrelated note,

Everyone should raise their fist against injustice. It seems the only people who are offended by the fist, have similar views as these neo-nazis. 
Let's not forget that if it wasn't for the strength of the U.S. Army during WWII, raising their mighty fist of justice against injustice, these supremacists would have caused much more pain.
This lady is so brave and strong.
Be like her.

I deleted the first article that I wrote about this. It was too much, a bit unnecessary ,and I am tired. 

I will do my best to focus on solutions rather than problems. I will only mention problems as a means to lead to solutions and nothing more. I will admit that I do hold a bit of resentment from my West Point Experience. I was hurt deeply by it and am still healing from it. I will try to not let my pain bleed into this situation.  So are ya'll ready? Here we go. 

Here's what I know: 

We are witnessing change.   West Point is innovating. Its policies are changing, and it is actively working to change its demographic to produce officers who are as diverse as their soldiers.  

Change is uncomfortable, hard, and people will fight it. 

West Point's Class of 2016 is scheduled to graduate in approximately two weeks. Some cadets and faculty are doing their best to prevent all but one of the black women in this class from graduating.  16 out of the 17 Black Women in a class of approx 1200 cadets are under investigation and may be kicked out of the army over a picture of themselves holding the "army strong" pose.  This pose requires one to raise their fist and is commonly done by the cadet corps during football games and army victories.

Some cadets and faculty members are resisting this necessary change. In an act of rebellion and fear, cadets who are  rumored to have been  influenced by LTC Daniel Gade,  a current professor and member of the chain of command to some of the women under investigation,  used a gullible , patriotic, vulnerable veteran by the name ofJohn Burk as a tool to promote their bigoted agenda to prevent a more inclusive ,  empathetic,  innovative, and culturally aware army from forming.  
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Fear of retaliation? Yea, because his credible sources are liars, who have also broken multiple UCMJ codes and disrespected their chain of commands. 

This gesture of a fist is done during every football game, during march on, and during the army strong song. It symbolizes strength and unity, nothing more, and nothing less. 

​"The problem is not with our strong 16 ladies. No, the problem is instead with the cowards who go behind the backs of their peers ,  don't follow the rules, and don't show their face.  Once they gain the courage to stop hiding, they will see that the people who they are really afraid of is themselves."

Why would members of the West Point community turn on their own?   

I would like to believe that all are given a fair shot at life. I would like to say that when our founding fathers wrote "all men are created equal" in our constitution, they meant it.  I really would want to fall in love with this inclusive rhetoric of equal worth. But the truth  and the sad reality  is that in 2016, even after the life and death of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. , and after electing our first black president, there is still much work to do here in America.  I am saddened that these strong 16 black women who have turned down top colleges to instead join the army, some deploying before even becoming a  cadet at  West Point,   accepted an abnormal and regimented college experience in an effort to become the best leaders that they can for America's sons and daughter, are treated this way. 

Why single these amazing women out?  Accept that they are not white, nor male. These women cannot change that, and were not recruited to West Point because of those qualities.  Instead, I urge  every member of the West Point community to embrace one another. You share the common bond of being army strong and making it through a tough institution , while overcoming struggles that are unique to your identities.  Our identities and individual culture are what we should collectively embrace and celebrate.   Innovation comes from having diverse talent. This competitiveness is what makes America great. Let's continue to improve our army by getting rid of the bigotry and attachment to tradition. I have full faith in these women. They, despite the hate, will make our army great, again. 

To gain more insight into what it is like to attend West Point  as a black woman.  Read these personal narratives from West Point graduates,  Mary Tobin, and Lela Victora. For Mary's note, click here.    For Lela's perspective, click here. 

 As Michael Jackson would say, it's time to look at that man in the mirror. 

Change is here. Embrace it , or leave