The clenched, raised fist. As a gesture itself, it holds no meaning. Like many popularized symbols in history, the raised fist has had varied influences and uses that have shifted its meaning over time. Read on for an abbreviated history of the raised fist and how its significance has changed over time, just as our worldviews and global challenges have shifted and morphed. Throughout the Spanish Civil War , Republican militias and international brigades used the raised fist as a symbol of anti-fascism.
The raised fist , or the clenched fist , is a long standing image of mixed meaning, often a symbol of political solidarity. The origin of the raised fist as either a symbol or gesture is unclear. Its use in trade unionism , anarchism , and the labor movement had begun by the s. A large raised fist rising from a crowd of striking workers was used to promote a mass strike in Budapest in In reaction, the Nazi Party adopted the well-known Roman salute two years later. The raised right fist was frequently used in posters produced during the May revolt in France , such as La Lutte continue , depicting a factory chimney topped with a clenched fist. The symbol has been picked up and incorporated around the world by various self-described oppressed groups.
An inquiry at the academy found the cadets didn't violate any existing military rules that limit political activity. But the fists-up image led some to question if the woman expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement, which is rooted in protests over what critics say is the excessive use of police force against African-American men. The picture, widely circulated on social media, was not intended as a political statement, according to West Point's superintendent, Lt.
Skip navigation! Story from TikTok. Across the country, people are organizing, donating, and protesting police brutality and institutional racism. The BlackLivesMatter hashtag has become a primary news source for many — a place for compiling evidence of police violence as well as helpful tips and resources for those fighting racism within themselves and on the streets.