16 black female cadets at The United States Military Academy at West Point came under fire after a photo circulated the Internet showing them posing with their fists raised in a “black power” salute.

Some felt that they violated the military’s protocol against any form of “political expression” and were supporting Black Lives Matters protests. We at Black Youth Project weren’t among them.

After coming under review, all 16 cadets were cleared of any alleged wrongdoing following the incident, according to a US Military Academy Press Release.

“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,” said Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr., academy superintendent, 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.”

Photo Credit: Twitter