Camera Shy

A couple of weeks ago, there was a camera crew on campus from National Geographic.  They were filming footage for a documentary that will feature two of our students - a brother and sister.

We thought the focus was to be on the day-to-day life of the kids, but there were more questions about the way our school runs, and there were many questions about this education reform that we're very much a part of.

A variety of staff members were interviewed, along with members of the administration.  Thankfully, there was someone else who was much more excited about the prospect of being on camera than me, so she gladly filled in.

I was reminded of a time, in 1995, about this time of the school year, when circumstances thrust our family into the media spotlight.

In hindsight, I'm forever grateful for the support that came with the publicity, but it was a difficult time nonetheless.

Here's what happened.

Ben and Frankie were attending a Christian school, and had been a part of this school system for four years.  In 1995, Ben was a 13 year old 8th grader, and he was being recognized for his academic achievement.  He had earned straight A's in all grades, for all four years.  He was, in fact, the valedictorian of his class.  The middle school was modeled after the high school with this valedictorian position.

In anticipation of the big day, Ben got a haircut.  A very low, very typical haircut, seen on African-American boys everywhere.

Ben went to school, and was rehearsing the graduation/promotion service with his classmates, when one of the staff members noticed his haircut.  He was sent to the office, where a decision was made that he would not be allowed to participate in the ceremony because of his haircut.

There was a rule at this school against shaved heads because they were associated with Skinheads.

OK.

Again, the haircut was low, not shaved.  But, even if his head was shaved, how many black Skinheads do you know?

Long story short.

Ben was not allowed to be on campus or to participate in any of the end-of-the-year activities.  He was denied the opportunity to give the valedictorian speech.

Again, this was 8th grade.  I expected that we, his family, were the only ones who cared about this.

However, a dear friend and neighbor, thought differently.  She thought it struck a cord.  And as a writer for the local paper, she offered to cover it.

That led to extensive media coverage for several weeks.

It was even picked up by Bob Hebert, who until recently, was a columnist for the New York Times.

Fast forward to 1999.

Ben was the valedictorian of Jesuit High School.  There was a "where is he now" follow up in the media.

Fast forward again to 2010.

A staff member from the church/school contacted Ben through Facebook.  Ben was invited back to the church where the pastor publicly apologized for the school's action.  The current pastor had taken over for his father, who was the pastor when the incident occurred.  Again, there was media coverage.

As I said, I'm grateful this incident had a happy ending, but it was an incredibly stressful time while we were living it.  The media provided a platform to tell the story, but as a result, we were living in a glass house, with all that that entails.

I suppose the litmus test question is - what I/we do it again?

Yes.

Without hesitation.

I think Ben, and his accomplishments, were worth fighting for.