This young woman, Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, was denied her high school diploma for dancing on stage. Philadelphia High School for Girls should be ashamed of themselves. They humiliated this young woman. For NOTHING. pic.twitter.com/x60EaIgEmI
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 16, 2023
The principal for a Philadelphia all-girls high school has been replaced, at least temporarily.
According to the NY Post, Lisa Mesi told students and attendees about the strict guidelines ahead of the graduation ceremony last month.
Despite those rules, Hafsah Abdur-Rahman performed the “griddy” across the stage as she went to pick up her diploma. She said she performed the dance as a nod to her sister who was shot and killed in a violent act. When she got to Mesi to pick up her diploma, the principal waved her off and didn’t hand her the diploma.
Abdur-Rahman said she was shammed in front of everyone by Mesi, who then did the same thing to another girl who flipped her hair during her walk.
The school, founded back in the 1800s, has strict guidelines and was one of the first schools in the U.S. dedicated strictly to women.
School alumni have thrown their support behind Mesi saying she’s a dedicated educator.
She hasn’t been fired, but Mesi has been suspended and may not return to her role as principal.
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