Posted on 06/16/2005 11:42:33 AM PDT by JZelle
A Waldorf teenager and his family said yesterday that his high school owes him an apology because he was denied his high school diploma when he wore a bolo tie to his recent graduation. Thomas Benya, 17, and his parents, who are of Cherokee descent, said school officials at McDonough High School in Charles County, Md., disrespected him and degraded his family's heritage when they did not give him his diploma because of his bolo. School officials have said the bolo violated the school's graduation dress code. "I would like to be given my diploma by [the principal] in a dignified manner and place in front of my family and friends," Thomas told reporters outside the Charles County Board of Education administration building. The school district is not budging on its stance. "We are trying to keep a reasonably formal ceremony," said Ronald G. Cunningham, associate superintendent of Charles County Public Schools. "I would think the route for the family is to meet with the principal." Rules regarding graduation attire are created and enforced at the discretion of individual school principals, Mr. Cunningham said. Thomas said he has worn a turquoise bracelet, key-chain adornment and other accessories symbolizing his heritage every day and to all school functions for about four years. He wore a bolo -- a string tie held together with a round ornament common in the Southwest -- to a formal school function and during rehearsal the day before graduation. He said his American-Indian heritage is noted in his school records. "They told him to put away his heritage for a day for the sake of conformity," said James Benya, the boy's father. "They consider it's no issue at all, and that hurts."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2005/06/10/PH2005061000083.
link to photo of this " misguided" youth...
I'm for anything that makes the school boards squirm. I wonder if a student would not be allowed if they wore a cross tie-pin? I'm guessing people here would be a little more pissed if that were the case.
The American fixation with 'apologies' continues. I have consistently placed little value in coerced apologies - actually, I just look at whatever the 'offending' comment as offering insight and clarity into the person who said it.
Then, I know how to deal with that person (if I chose to deal with them at all) much better.
Spoken apologies - not worth the paper they are printed on. ;-)
What a wuss.
Did anyone catch the Glenn Beck program about 2 weeks ago, when this subject came up? That time, it had to do with a soldier not being allowed to wear his dress military uniform to a commencement.
One of the callers to Glenn's show is an active U.S. Marine. He said that he too recently graduated from High School and was told he had to wear the traditional cap and gown just like all of his classmates.
So, he did as the school instructed him to to without making a fuss about it. But underneath his robe, he was wearing his full dress uniform.
As soon as the commencement excersizes were completed, he removed his robe and posed for pictures with his family and friends--WEARING HIS MILITARY UNIFORM.
He did not complain. He does not expect some sort of "apology" for "discrimination", like the weenie in the above story.
And years from now, when he reflects on this ceremony, the only photos he will see are those of him proudly wearing his Marine uniform.
People need to get a life.
My thoughts exactly... the real demand should be for an apology for the pathetic excuse for an education that led to the diploma.
Why? I may not see this as degrading but I've seen public schools degrade and disrespect my own family's heritage. Should I just shut up as well and do what the good government workers tell me to do?
My dictionary includes an informal use of disrespect as a verb.
Since when was a bolo tie native to the Cherokee Indian tribe? It may have originated in the Southwest, but the Cherokee originally came from the South- the northern parts of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. They were removed to Oklahoma by Andrew Jackson on what became known as the infamous "Trail of Tears."
C'mon, well all know ancient Cherokees had keychains to hold the keys to the slot machines and other "Indian Gaming" devices they stored in the Teepees.
I must say it's good to see so many 'conservatives' in full support of government schools and their ridiculous edicts. Fully confirms the current condition of the Republican party and its future..
lily I thank God we are unrelated.
First off, it is BOLA, not bolo. A bolo is what the Argentine cowboys use like our cowboys used a lasso. By the way, the bola is the State Tie of Arizona. The young man was wearing a tie...so far, I have not seen anything that specified a 4-in-hand, nor denied a bow...but, I have not read the school principle's decree.
I'm from the East. My uncles and grandfathers wore and wear bolos all the time. I guess I missed the memo that said they are no longer ties?
I am the first interviewer for our new hires; I too suggest the school system attach an apology to ALL diplomas indicating they are sorry they have given most of these students a degree with the implication that they are educated.
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