I’m probably a bit hard right on this but standards of dress and presentation are a part of my upbringing. The USAF was very determined on this.
My high school had dress codes. This boy knew the code and decided he would tell the administrators to get bent.
That is his choice. He cannot say that to the entire school.
He gets his diploma in the mail. I don’t care if he is the next Charles Barkley or not.
Years from now when he’s turned down for jobs because someone finds these articles in Google, he’s going to wish he had a “Do Over”.
HE FOLLOWED THE RULES! The rules (literally enforced fit this one special day ONLY) were to shave or not participate in graduation with his schoolmates, after getting twin scholarships and a 4.0 graduation. Right?
So he choose to not participate. THAT'S FOLLOWING THE RULES.
On the other hand, what kind of rancid bastard would suddenly impose such rules for that one special day? He even tried to meet them halfway, and shave most of it, but leave a little. Nope - three times they said all or nothing.
Why?
Punishment, obviously. Facial hair for a young man, which he's worn with his peers all year, is a matter of personal pride and manliness. And he's black. And he got two scholarships and a 4.0 average.
Can anyone say "off the plantation"?
I sure can.
He didn't follow the script for a young black man. He excelled, when he was supposed to be a thug.
So he must be punished.
Therefore, on the very day he was to be publicly acknowledged for his success, his principal have him a "choice" (which was no doubt long planned): Either personally degrade and humiliate yourself, shame yourself and your very manliness voluntarily in front of your friends and show that you've been dominated at the hands of the school - or "you choose" to not be publicly acknowledged by your friends after four years of excellent work.
And then THIS malicious "Sophie's Choice" is justified by the "rules" by these sadists who run this school!
And with any luck, he'd be so outraged he'd do something stupid, like force himself into the stage, get arrested, and then - finally - have a black mark on his scholastic record.
You're looking at a profoundly evil plan here - which he was smart enough not to buy into.
The people who did this to this young man are EVIL.