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Racist Bastards! Black Graduate Not Given Diploma Because Of Cheering
Posted by BrianGood afternoon folks! This is going to be a recurring post that I like to call Racist Bastards. The purpose of this section is to inform everyone of the everyday racism that takes place in the US and around the world. Some of you may think that this stuff is not racist, please tell me why you think so and I will make sure I respond. Hopefully we can start some healthy debate.
I know some of you will not appreciate the column’s name, but we can talk about that too. The first incident that I would like to share is a curious one. This issue is as old as Black education. I know all of us who are reading this have graduated from somewhere or attended a graduation somewhere where a Black person happened to be graduating. Inevitably when a Black person’s name is called, you can tell for sure exactly where that person’s family and friends is located in the audience. In the great state of Illinois, however; that freedom of expression was taken away.Â
Take the story of this young lady. Caisha Gayles graduated with honors last month, but she is still waiting for her diploma. Gayles was one of five students denied diplomas from the public high school in Galesburg, Ill. after enthusiastic friends or family members cheered for them during commencement. About a month before the May 27 ceremony, Galesburg
High School students and their parents had to sign a contract promising to act in a dignified way. Violators were warned that they could be denied their diplomas and barred from the after-graduation party. The issue has taken on added controversy with accusations that the students were targeted because of their race: four are Black and one is Hispanic. Parents say cheers also erupted for White students, and none of them was denied a diploma. School officials have said they will hear any appeals. Meanwhile, the officials say the five students can still get their diplomas by completing eight hours of public service work, answering phones, sorting books or doing other chores for the district (free/slave labor), which is about 150 miles southwest of Chicago.Tell me what you think. As hard as it has been historically for Black people to get an education, one can only expect that the family and friends of a graduate will take great pride in that accomplishment and celebrate accordingly, why would a school district make it even harder for those students to get their diplomas? Why, because they are some racist…. well you know what I’m saying.
2 SIDES OF THOUGHTS…
Enthusiasm and cheerfulness is great to show for the person that is graduating, but I got question??? Why is that MY PEOPLE always have to over do it. Every graduation has the Can everyone wait until the end to clap. What does every black family (group) say… YEAH RIGHT with a smile. Then when the names begin to get called the A’s are mild and the B’s are little louder, but by the time the get to the C’s its a Party after every name. Come on Black people no one leaves a graduation and says that Jenkins family really are proud of Bonequecia (bone-KWE-sha) cause they were really cheering.
The cheering does need to be tamed to a simple acknowleging clap and party after the ceremony with your loved ones.
Flip side says…
If they didnt punish everyone the same then that is absolutely BOGUS. If rules are going to be established then they have to be the same for all. I hope the parents of that school will get that stopped quick. Obvious racism and profiling has no place in our society, most of all in our schools.
I think you all would find it interesting to talk with Shelby Steele, a social analyst, about US race relations. You can talk with him at http://www.paltalk.com/newstalk/ssteele_archive.shtml It’s an interactive chat service where you can really get into your issues and debate! Have fun!!
OK NOW, If everybody signed the form then they knew what it was they were NOT supposed to do. But it the form they signed did not indicate that they would not receive their diploma at all without completing 8 hours of public service, than they should have mailed the students their diplomas and just barred them from the after graduation party ONLY.
Graduating is wonderful, so the fact that the students did should’ve been celebrated by even the school officials (for making their school look good). I am not saying what the school is doing is right by any means, I do agree the form that everyone signed stating they all had to behave in a certain manner is a bit absurd. But if everyone signed it than what can you say? People should’ve protested it BEFORE there was a problem instead of waiting and dealing with the aftermath.
I think it’s worng that not all students were treated fairly. Parents claim that white parents cheered too, but those student were not punished. It could be a number of things. There could be only a few students of color and their families are easily pickked out of the crowd or it could be racism, which I think it is. The students and parents could also get out of their situation by claiming it was friends of the family cheering who signed no such agreement with the school. I say let them cheer.