HBCU Student Not Allowed to Graduate Because of Facebook Post
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, YourBlackWorld.com – Scholarship in Action
Roman Caple is a senior at St. Augustine’s College. He was set to graduate this weekend until he was informed by the school that he wouldn’t be allowed to walk with his classmates. Caple says that his punishment was due to a Facebook post that allegedly "jeopardized the integrity of the college."
Caple argues that the reaction of school administrators came as a result of his posts following a tornado that hit Raleigh, NC two weeks ago. But he says that most of his comments were meant to be uplifting. One of his posts said the following:
"We all need to set our differences aside and help one another. Falcons we will continue to fly high because that’s what we do. Help your neighbor, if need be, Falcons are one."
According to what Caple said to ABC11, "Here’s the post that I believe they are referring to as to being putting this college in a negative light. It says ‘St. Augs is holding classes tomorrow and students in Falcrest still don’t have power. Like, wtf. Really? #dumb.’"
Caple is an active student who is a member of the school band and choir. He also played tennis for St. Augustine for the past three years. He’s even had the school’s logo shaved into his head, which is a surprising act of school spirit.
What exactly is the “violation” in this matter, and what specific school policy was violated, if that be the case? Granted, this student’s choice of “language” was not the best, but, again, I say: What specific school policy was violated? Not allowing this student to graduate, seems a bit harsh. Against a backdrop of negative adult behaviors, i.e. Donald Trump’s widely publicized unmerited accusations against our President, for example, I find it difficult to see this student’s comments as “offensive”, when “adults” in this society are “cutting up” like crazy people. That being written, again I say, “what exactly is the “violation in this matter?” I believe this young man should be allowed to graduate and march with his classmates at his graduation ceremony! I know he has learned his lesson, lesson being: “…the truth is to be always known, though seldom spoken…” (I paraphrase)
What exactly is the “violation” in this matter, and what specific school policy was violated, if that be the case? Granted, this student’s choice of “language” was not the best, but, again, I say: What specific school policy was violated? Not allowing this student to graduate, seems a bit harsh. Against a backdrop of negative adult behaviors, i.e. Donald Trump’s widely publicized unmerited accusations against our President, for example, I find it difficult to see this student’s comments as “offensive”, when “adults” in this society are “cutting up” like crazy people. That being written, again I say, “what exactly is the “violation in this matter?” I believe this young man should be allowed to graduate and march with his classmates at his graduation ceremony! I know he has learned his lesson, lesson being: “…the truth is to be always known, though seldom spoken…” (I paraphrase)
I’ll tell you what the violation is- they’re trying to prevent more Barack Obamas from getting into the White House. It’s just as simple as that.
WE SEAM TO WANT LEADERSHIP UNTIL SOMEONE STEPS FORWARD, TO GET INVOLVED WITH PROBLEMS AND DISASTER OF AMERICA. WE HOLD EACH OTHER DOWN WITH PENNIE ANNIE REMARKS, MAKE PROBLEMS WHERE THERE IS BO PROBLEM. THIS YOUNG MAN SEAMS TO BE PROUD OF HIS SCHOOL AND WANTS THEM TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE WITH HELP AND UNDERSTANDING. TO BAD THAT A BLACK PERSON WITH A EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP POSITION STILL WANTS TO HOLD EACH OTHER DOWN, AGAIN FOR A PENNIE-ANNIE REMARK. ONE DAY YOUR ACTIONS WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU, BY THE WAY DID YOU ASK GOD ABOUT YOUR DECISION BEFORE YOU ACTED. SEEMS NOT.
WE SEAM TO WANT LEADERSHIP UNTIL SOMEONE STEPS FORWARD, TO GET INVOLVED WITH PROBLEMS AND DISASTER OF AMERICA. WE HOLD EACH OTHER DOWN WITH PENNIE ANNIE REMARKS, MAKE PROBLEMS WHERE THERE IS NO PROBLEM. THIS YOUNG MAN SEAMS TO BE PROUD OF HIS SCHOOL AND WANTS THEM TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE WITH HELP AND UNDERSTANDING. TO BAD THAT A BLACK PERSON WITH A EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP POSITION STILL WANTS TO HOLD EACH OTHER DOWN, AGAIN FOR A PENNIE-ANNIE REMARK. ONE DAY YOUR ACTIONS WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU, BY THE WAY DID YOU ASK GOD ABOUT YOUR DECISION BEFORE YOU ACTED. SEEMS NOT.