Teen wants apology with diploma

The Washington Times ^ | 6-16-05 | Keyonna Summers

[The G Man]

My dictionary includes an informal use of disrespect as a verb.

Then it's pretty lame for a reporter from a major national newspaper to use it then, isn't it?

[dakine]

Used to be known as "Chuck" County, MD....too many P.C. types here now....

[Just another Joe]

What tribe is it that WEARS bolo ties?
Not MAKES them, but WEARS them?

Is his heritage cowboy?

Get a life, kid.
If the dress code just said, "tie required", then the kid has a legitimate complaint. If the dress code specifically banned bolo ties or, somehow, specifically designated a certain type of tie, the kid is SOL.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

So a bolo tie is necessarily a Cherokee heritage? Certainly a lot of us "Cherokees" here in AZ.

[joebuck]

I would like to see the wording of the dress code provision he supposedly violated. Does it say no bolo ties? Does it require how wide the tie has to be? Or did someone just make the arbitrary decision that a bolo tie isn't a real tie? After seeing his picture (dignified) I am on the studant's side on this one.

[dead]

They told him to wear the dress code of the day and he didn't want to. That's what its about, no matter whose side you choose to take.

But it won't get in the paper unless he pretends its some sort of dopey racial issue. I would he rather he shut up and stop trying to pretend he's insulted on some grand scale for his peoples.

It's a frigging bolo tie.

[massgopguy]

Yes, and they can carry their REAL ceremonial knives.

[lilylangtree]

I'm from the East but now live in the West. Still don't think of them as ties in the formal sense.

[UglyinLA]

I dont understand. Why, Thomas Benya did you wear only your bolo tie. If you are as proud of your heritage as you say you are, why didnt you come dressed in a breechclout and mocasins. Oh yeah, dont forget the feather headdress and the tomahawk.

[absolootezer0]

bah, i was told i had to wear a tie for graduation, my friend and i started hitting thrift stores to find the ugliest, most obnoxious ties we could find. faculty for the most part expressed great displeasure with our choices but didn't say anything because all they said was to wear ties.

[Calpernia]

True, they do lend a more casual appearance.

[Moosilauke]

"They told him to put away his heritage for a day for the sake of conformity..."

No, what they probably said was "we all play by the same rules". Nothing insulting in that. No beer steins for Germans, no kilts for Scots, no sombreros for Mexicans, no exposed privates for naturists. The details of the story indicate that he was specifically told days in advance that bolo-ties weren't within the graduation dress code.

[JamesP81]

Normally, I would agree with many here who think the situation is blown out of proportion.

OTOH, school boards are staffed by some of the most hateful, petty, mean-spirited SOBs that ever lived. These are the same people who think it's right to charge a kid with a felony for the act of getting punched in the face multiple times by his bus driver (most of us probably saw that bit on Fox News. BTW, said bus driver was only charged with a misdemeanor). Things like this is why I absolutely hate the public school system. If I ever have children, they will not see the inside of a public school.

Anything that sticks sideways in the craws of such people, I'm for it.

[tfecw]

I'm aware of the difference between a bola and a bolo. I wasn't aware that the State Tie of Arizona was a bola, nor was I aware that states had State Ties ;)

[billbears]

It's a tie that to him represents his heritage. And considering what his 'peoples' went through at the expense of the US government, I'd be pretty insulted as well. I can't fully claim the proud heritage of Cherokee (as much as I would wish to I am only 1/16 myself) but I fully support his right to wear the tie. Or does the First Amendment stop at the doors of the government run school system?

[Bar-Face]

"Heck, Ben Nighthorse Campbell....a Republican Senator! wore them all the time." He violated the dress code! He's obviously a RINO!"

Actually the NIghthorse could not wear a buttoned collar. It choked him. Right after he was elected (as a Democrat) to the Senate, they changed the rule requiring a buttoned collar & tie to accommodate him. I met with Senator Campbell several times back in the early 90s and found him to be a terrific man. In fact I remarked to a friend, that he was the first Democrat I thought I could vote for in over 30 years. Lucky for me he changed parties prior to the next election. Fine man and really a great American.

[dead]

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..

Keep patting yourself on the back for joining the whinging racial grievance gang in their perpetual state of hurt feelings.

Apologize to Jesse and Reverend Al for me.

[billbears]

why didnt you come dressed in a breechclout and mocasins. Oh yeah, dont forget the feather headdress and the tomahawk.

Oh good, stereotypes to boot. Anybody want to offer actual arguments about the issue of the young man's natural rights being infringed upon instead of making snide comments about the young man's heritage?

[edcoil]

Why did't the boy respect the school and wear the outfit that everyone else wore?