School apologizes after seizing Lakota student's feathered graduation cap

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/school-apologizes-after-seizing-lakota-student-s-feathered-graduation-cap/ar-BB1mDV3X

Farmington Municipal Schools wrote in a statement to families Thursday that staff returned Genesis White Bull’s cap and feather to her family after the ceremony. District protocol forbids students from altering their cap and gown, the district added.

But administrators the next day followed up with an apology.


“The intent, always, is to create a ceremony that is inclusive of all graduates and honors all of our students,” the district wrote in another statement. “It is clear that what occurred detracted from that and had the opposite effect. We are confident that our staff intended no disrespect or to violate anyone’s cultural beliefs or practices.”

The expression of remorse came amid a flurry of criticism as video of the incident spread. The council of the Navajo Nation, which borders Farmington, called the school’s actions “demeaning” and said it stood in solidarity with tribal members’ right to honor their culture by wearing traditional attire at graduations.

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Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, the Navajo Nation’s first lady, said the beaded cap and a plume symbolize achievement for Native students and “the culmination of prayers and ceremonies done for them.”

[moonshinegnomie]

1. more needs to be done

fire those responsible. it wasnt a mistake. our staff meant no disrespect is bullshit,theyknew what they were doing and decided to be racist assholes. a few administrators getting the boot will do more than a bullshit apology

[Old Crank]

7. Agree.

Should be fired and banned from school jobs.

How does taking away cultural items help with inclusiveness?

[bigmonk]

2. So,

a school took the traditional ceremonial garb of a Navajo student when it interfered with the traditional ceremonial garb of the white majority. There's no forced speech here; move along.

[2naSalit]

3. Lakota.

[2naSalit]

4. This happens a lot...

Fuck the white culture, it has been a vector of hate and discrimination since the beginning. Fuck white supremacy and all of its ugliness.

[SamKnause]

5. This happens every year.

Different school, same bullshit.

The U.S. is a stupid fucking country.

[hlthe2b]

6. No excuse for this crap. It is Farmington, NM--not rural Mississippi. They live with Native Americans

and should know/respect the cultural traditions. "Staff intended no disrespect or to violate anyone’s cultural beliefs or practices.” Bullshit.

[cbabe]

8. School's last chance to force

obedience and compliance.

I only wish student and friends would’ve walked out.

Now they can run for office, etc. Work to fire the racists.