Mississippi learning?

   I must confess that my family has never made a big deal about graduations. I don't even think my father attended my high school graduation---- he was running off on business somewhere. In my family, not graduating high school and college was not an option.

When my sister and I reached those particular milestones it was all pretty ho- hum and routine events in our household. It was expected, so there was  no celebrating when it actually happened.

Having said that,  I can understand how some people tend to get a little excited when their loved ones step up to get their sheepskin. In some families education was not a priority in earlier generations, so when one of their offspring achieve an educational  milestone, if they want to celebrate by cheering I say go for it.

Unfortunately, though, not everyone shares my view about this particular type of public display of adoration.

"Have you ever been to a graduation ceremony where you were asked to hold your applause to the very end?

Well, arrest warrants were issued for several proud black families in Senatobia, Mississippi, who couldn't hold their applause until the end.

No, they weren't violent.

No, they didn't have a confrontation with police.

They just cheered. See the video for yourself here.

Two weeks later, the superintendent of schools, Jay Foster, in conjunction with the local police, filed charges against the families.

“It’s crazy,” Henry Walker said. “The fact that I might have to bond out of jail, pay court costs, or a $500 fine for expressing my love, it’s ridiculous man. It’s ridiculous.” Superintendent Foster said the charges were far from ridiculous.  

While Foster declined an on-camera interview with WREG, he said he’s determined to have order at graduation ceremonies.

At a time where the nation is talking about problems in the United States with mass incarceration and the over-criminalization of society, rarely has such a clear example of African Americans being overcharged for everyday behaviors as this.

It's preposterous.

Please call and email Superintendent Jay Foster and let him know how you feel:
PH: 662-562-4897
 Email: jfoster@senatobiaschools.com "[Source]   

For the sake of the  people of Mississippi I hope that story was from The Onion. No way this really happened.

Seriously? An arrest warrant for cheering at a graduation? 

America you have to do better.