Looks like we can add another item to the growing list of things that may get Black students kicked out of graduation. In addition to beards and empowering poems, one California high school decided to remove a Black graduating senior during the middle of the ceremony for “not obeying the rules of graduation.” His infraction? Wearing a kente cloth stole.
Nyree Holmes told Fusion.net he wore the cloth to represent his culture.
“The kente cloth has been worn by royalty and it’s been used in royal ceremonies in Ghana and in other African countries where Christianity is the main religion,” the 18-year-old explained. “And me being a Christian and a person of African descent, I felt that it was right for me to represent my people and my future and my religion by wearing the kente cloth.”
Unfortunately, school officials didn’t see it that way. As he prepared to walk the stage and receive his diploma, Holmes was approached by school officials who asked him to remove the stole.
Holmes detailed the encounter on Twitter.
@nyreehesr so I wore this thing called a kente cloth (cultural cloth from Ghana) around my neck. That represents my, pic.twitter.com/6SG8NSnBFh
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
@nyreehesr blackness. So Matt mason, walks up to me while I’m in line waiting to walk the stage. And tells me to give it to him.
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
@nyreehesr so I tell him “no this is mine”.The mason proceeds to tell me that I cannot walk the stage with it on. And I respond” but I will”
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
@nyreehesr he then proceeds to get several teachers to try to get me to take it off.I let them know that it is a cultural piece and I refuse
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
@nyreehesr to be forced not to take pride in who I am. I them asked him if “his agenda was worth more than my cultural pride” he then says..
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
@nyreehesr that he has no agenda. So he proceeds to tell me that he will have the police remove me. So he brings over some ‘rent-a-cop’
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
While security was being called, Holmes’ turn came up to take the stage. Still wearing the kente cloth, the teen felt he was home free. However, after basking in the moment, Holmes said he was met by security as he exited the platform.
@nyreehesr so I tell him no as well, so I see mason storm out to get the police to get me before I walk. I get to the stage and I think I’m
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
@nyreehesr home clear. I go through shaking all the hands and smiling feeling as if I won. Them when I get to the stairs I see 3 sherriffs
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
@nyreehesr at the bottom of the stairs. They tell me to leave with them and I said “sure guys let’s go”. As I’m walking out I call my mom to
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
@nyreehesr let her know that I’m being taken out by the police. I stop to ask them if I can get my diploma and drop off my cap and gown.
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
@nyreehesr so I get outside and walk to my family and tell them what happened and my dad takes my cap gown and id to try and get my diploma
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
@nyreehesr since they refuse to give it to me. And then they refuse to give it to him so we’re sitting there like wtf do we do………….
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
Holmes’ father was eventually able to get the diploma, and the teen has officially completed high school.
@nyreehesr so my dad comes across this security guard (black of course) that gets me into the exit to get my diploma. And then he takes
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
@nyreehesr a pic of me and says “much love brother, stay up and achieve more”
— Nyree Holmes (@nyreehesr) May 25, 2016
While things ultimately worked out for Holmes and he’ll be attending Cal State University, Fullerton in the fall, why does it seem like so many schools are attempting to steal Black students’ joy?
Britni Danielle is a Los Angles based writer and editor. Catch her tweeting @BritniDWrites.
