High school valedictorian barred from graduation

[@russell5078084]

It's not about education. It's about power and control.

[@AxlBrickman]

its also about money.

[@954made3]

Axl Brickman The most important

[@kelloginc1]

E X A C T L Y

[@ljeans531]

They want to make an example out of him

[@AJ-ox8xy]

@Grady money is a resource. It has no will or inherent morality. Now those with money or better defined as those that control money, often do so because it is about power and control.

[@AllTrickss]

“When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say.”

[@theclickening6668]

I don't understand.

[@algerianprophet9654]

@@theclickening6668 If you stop the other from talking against you, it proves you fear what he says.

[@katt0906]

@@algerianprophet9654 which can also meam that the man speakd the truth

[@oldwoman2121]

@@katt0906 precisely.

[@ericjamesphotography]

Yeah, how about tear out your stupid profile photo, it only brings bad luck!😂

[@rban123]

For those wondering, he ended up at Rutgers University and is now pursuing a PhD in chemical engineering from Yale.

[@rban123]

boogie I don’t know why, but this is according to his personal LinkedIn profile

[@curiousgeorge6921]

Nice, so he finished both his masters and bachelor in 4 years

[@0doublezero0]

@@curiousgeorge6921 Sometimes you can go straight from baccalaureate to PhD without a masters.

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

Both superior schools to Harvard in the sciences.

[@beeruwu]

@boogie probably because of costs. I mean i think it's a smart move to not go.

[@earthling2007]

Haven’t met a guidance counselor who was worth their weight in diplomas

[@BiteSizedCrafter]

earthling2007 I am the only person I've ever known who has. My favorite childhood plushie was given to me by her actually. It's a really sweet story..

[@theosebes9975]

TheBiteSizedCrafter Tell us the story!

[@BiteSizedCrafter]

Snoer Alright. There is a bit of a back story first. So I had a hard time making friends when I was little. Either from moving a few times or just cause of my personality. Well one day I was in the guidance office crying about something ( don't recall what ) and they comforted me and talked with me. I was there a good portion of the early afternoon. After a while the counselor left and came back with a small box of toys that she wanted me to have. One was the plushie I mentioned earlier. The rest I don't remember cause I guess they were stuff I eventually grew out of and gave away. The fact that she actually went shopping to buy toys in the hopes of making a little girl she hardly new ( I just started at that school a month or so before ) happy still warms my heart.

[@samuelshao2688]

TheBiteSizedCrafter how old were u

[@BiteSizedCrafter]

Samuel Shao 11 going on. 12.

[@KenGutierrez01]

Hope they sue the school for that crap.

[@MoonRabbit0718]

I was hoping that. That was totally unfair. They use every way possible so that he wouldn't be able to attend graduation. And he was the valedictorian.

[@jpesicka492]

They should, especially if you factor in how the publicity has affected his HARVARD admission. He needs to be compensated for the damage to his reputation brought on my the school and potential lost wages if he doesn't get a Harvard degree.

[@justicewithanish]

Or he could have simply not been a loud mouth to put harvard in jeopardy.

[@favianz5055]

@@justicewithanish first off, he was defending his fellow classmates from terrible school officials, so he really wasn't putting himself in jeopardy, to begin with. He was acting as a leader whereas you see the situation as if he being some sort of troublemaker.

[@PriusRaj]

@@justicewithanish that dumb attitude prevents you from getting into Harvard in the first place

[@egalva1]

They want smart kids, but not the ones that ask too many questions. Well done, man. You're going places.

[@FractalPrism.]

they dont want smart, they want high test scores so their personal bonuses are higher (or increased school funding, so it can be wasted on the staff's whims or outright embezeled)

[@Shivaho]

They Only Want Obedient Workers Who Won't Question Their Authority & Power over Them...

[@sdwallyt]

Everyone wants smart kids, not smart alecky kids.

[@mikelrunnels8386]

I hope he sues the school and each person involved in keeping him from his graduation

[@jpesicka492]

@Ben G if the case if high profile enough and a lawyer thinks he can win for sure. He will take the money on the back end. The man's dad died 9 mos b4 this there has to be a lawyer with a heart somewhere.

[@fisher2536]

@@jpesicka492 you obviously are a kid and don't understand the real world or how suing works

[@Logitekz]

@@fisher2536 do you? Because it sounds like he's describing exactly what a lawyer who works on contingency is.

[@fraudulentfem7322]

@@jpesicka492 You can't sue the state and win. They have the funds to drag out a lawsuit, and will win any legal war of attrition.

[@oscarfox6726]

JAKEDOWN999 I’m not a lawyer but if I was I’d definitely represent him. His school assumed he would deface the school in his valedictorian speech due to his character. They not only lied about it and said they were ‘overhauling tradition’. That’s crap. He deserves a place at Harvard and I hope he gets it or got it. If someone represented him he’d definitely win his case

[@nato9497]

To get rejected by your GUIDANCE COUNSELOR, who is supposed to HELP you is just sick

[@herogibson]

sick is absolutely the right word for this. absolute travesty.

[@twinicebear775]

herogibson ikr? Guidance counselors at my school aren’t scared to yell at administration if students aren’t being treated right

[@brawl8]

That’s pretty common . When you actually come up with a problem most often m. They will give a pamphlet and a number to call for your problems. Even for career advise they just pass you along.

[@igotmeonthis]

Somebody needs to look into that counselor

[@michaelmcdonald8452]

“There’s two sides to this story.... but the school isn’t talking...” Well then there’s really just one side, isn’t there....

[@thewildcardperson]

bd real lol 4 years ago

[@osmanlee5136]

Lol

[@chatsandlivetrades504]

And his side has to be right, otherwise they would have issued a public statement...............

[@countdooku3373]

Honestly no answer is an answer inning of itself.

[@ellaneruda]

Reporter: “Yep, he’s a loud mouth” Student: he stands up for other students

[@crystalsugar4136]

Ella Neruda I feel like there is 3 sides of the story here. The students, the adults/parents (displayed by the reporter), and the school. If you noticed the student told them that he stands up for others and basically is an outspoken leader. The reporter took it as “loud mouth” and someone who is causing havoc and not something a student should do. Wth

[@nikhilsathisha3822]

@Mario When did he ever not show respect? What did he do wrong?

[@TabooGroundhog]

Joseph the Great ... what... what did you say?!

[@shivampatil7212]

@Mario they should appoint you as judge ..or even better they should let you be in congress because 5 minutes of talking with the person pressed with charges and YOU CAN TELL whether that said person is guilty or not Some great powers you have !

[@Iron4TrollPatrol]

@Mario Bro, who hurt you?

[@jbgrooves]

It's bad enough the kid lives in Lodi, but to have a school counselor, principle, and district administrators act like a child afraid someone was going to take their favorite toy from them is insult on top of injury. Congrats kid the world and Harvard needs more intelligent hell raisers like you.

[@domeniccarson8511]

@Steven Moreno Thank you so much for bringing pomp and formality to the you tube comment section.

[@jbgrooves]

@Anne Liesveld - get a life, then get laid, you sound like you need it.

[@annazelman559]

Learn how to spell principal first then comment

[@Cambeast123]

@@annazelman559 Bet that comment made you feel good you insolent swine of a woman.

[@dodgerio3048]

@@annazelman559 Not everybody speaks english in this world. He probably speaks more languages than you.

[@TIMENAM]

School administration should be held responsible for bullying actions too!

[@angelperez7891]

There is bullying here no one but Devan could see where his eyes cannot.

[@MysticThePRO-CoTWHunter]

I agree with this, btw The whole response of my opinion is below (even my own experience) Sorry its quite a long So what if nearly 10 years have passed? Everything with bullying prevention is not even remotely better. Honestly, schools are terrible at bullying guidelines anymore, I am currently in a situation where a friend turned their back on me for no reason and sent me death threats even during summer break (which is still happening today). His reason was that I was talking to his partner too much (Even though his partner and I had known each other since 6th grade - currently about to be a Junior). His parents cried and could not believe his behavior would be how it was. I must say this video certainly shows a lot about school guidelines already. What I would do is shut up and be anonymous with my actions to stand up for a kid or a class if I were in the position, since apparently speaking up to help others is questioning maturity, like WHAT? That's like the complete reverse. NO! It should be a sign that a person is mature, knows the right thing, and is TOUGH - The main word that supposedly schools want but instead protest against. They act like someone standing up for another person is somewhat immature when the person is taking action CORRECTLY! No other words to be honest, I am just disappointed in schools even present-day nearly 10 years later, nothing will be fixed and every school will just continue to experience more issues and bullying, drama, etc.) Generally, School is getting worse each day, and I sure hope everything gets better in the future so that all bullying guidelines stuff gets settled.

[@posysdogovych2065]

He ended up getting his bachelor's at Rutgers instead. But there is some redemption. He's attending graduate school at Yale now.

[@emmett3344]

Bort McBort did Harvard rescind his acceptance?

[@posysdogovych2065]

@@emmett3344 I couldn't find any information about that, but I'd say there's a 100% chance that it happened. Nobody who gets accepted into Harvard chooses to go to Rutgers instead.

[@emmett3344]

Bort McBort yea that’s a shame. Sounded like a hard working guy, glad things have worked out for him though.

[@jacknoymer5093]

Bort McBort possibly not. His dad died 9 months beforehand and his mom had to work hard for money so it might’ve been an issue of money for the family

[@bloonsgaming]

Bort McBort Maybe he rethought his financial options

[@donnotworryitsjustmyself3864]

He stood up for his rights as an American Citizen, he is doing everything that an American can and should do in this situation

[@herogibson]

and furthermore he EARNED that right through hard work, determination, and playing their damn games. not everyone gets the right to speak at graduation, you have to earn that one. and he did. absolute travesty.

[@avianearth2397]

@@herogibson Very True!!

[@avianearth2397]

Very True!!!

[@avianearth2397]

😁

[@Kreln1221]

*I wonder how many of his teachers and other school staff members went to Harvard?...*

[@UnknownCartoonEditor]

pauline palmer I doubt anyone of them went to Harvard

[@Kreln1221]

@@UnknownCartoonEditor Exactly...

[@Jhowemca]

I don’t wonder about that at all. In fact it never even crossed my mind.

[@Bobdixon_Moonvarga_Dancer_III]

Zero. They were public high school teachers.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

That is not a question. Some people attend Harvard and become teachers or professors. The teachers are not the one who made the decision, so that is not an issue. Teachers do not make those kinds of decisions.

[@JoeFromCO]

0:54 .. the girl did not say he is a loudmouth only that he stands up for other students in himself. fake news

[@demmer44]

I hope this is a joke. Clearly that was meant as "yeah, he's a loud mouth-- for the right reasons"

[@notapplicable6985]

@@demmer44 Based on the inflection I would guess it was sarcasm.

[@MegumiCiBear]

Emily Demmer I didnt hear the news lady say “for the right reason”. When are you hearing that?

[@xxslayer255xx]

@@MegumiCiBear Emily demmer was saying that the reporter was being sarcastic when she said "yep he's a loud mouth", which is infered from the context and her tone. If the reporter were to truly say what she meant without an inference being necessary, it would be "yep he's a loud mouth -- for the right reasons". I hope that helps clear things up

[@lionman3378]

This reporter took person attacks against the then teen.

[@theresahall6197]

Talk about overreacting to trying to solve a problem peacefully. If the school silliness ruins the kid's college career that would be horrible.

[@saavf4399]

they sort of did

[@liamhuls2689]

I hate this school

[@hogatiedye]

He was showing signs of being a bad little sheep. Freedom of speech only exists in private

[@dragondancer1814]

D L I’ve taught my kids that when you follow the flock, the only thing you’re going to see is a bunch of sheep butts. Not following the flock gives you a MUCH better view of the world!

[@alexanderchristopher6237]

Shawnee Scorpion if everyone is a shepherd, then wouldn’t you be out of job for a lack of sheep?

[@cosplayeranime]

This guy is what everyone should aspire to be. I salute you, brother. 🇺🇸

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

I aspire to be the best version of me. Nobody else needs to be who he is. We can be the people we were created to be.

[@empirestate8791]

So he's one of the few students who's willing to stand up for others and be an outspoken leader, and the school decides to punish him. Quite an authoritarian education system!

[@PercivalC]

Wow, those teachers and admin at that school should be totally ashamed of themselves. Absolutely spineless.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

Why would teachers be ashamed? Teachers did not make the decision.

[@jamesnguyen6702]

What I learned from my 4 years of high school is admins never listen to students or do anything that really helps them. Teachers are the ones that listen and are willing to do things for the students!

[@katiewilliams5643]

School administrators should be fired

[@anthonyhewetson5086]

When it came to high school teachers, they started with my respect. When they lost it (as many did) I no longer treated them with respect. If you are a professional, respect is earned not owed.

[@harveypratt995]

Same here. I respect everyone until they lose it. These people that don’t think you deserve it until they have finally decide to give it are actually very arrogant.

[@joelbotello1235]

Well said do into others treat others as u would like to be treated!!

[@gerard5214]

Update: He went to Rutgers instead and graduated with a bachelor's in Chemical Engineering and is now pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering at Yale University.

[@angelperez7891]

He went to Rutgers? And also, has he currently been studying at Yale? Got a link to the update?

[@DistractedDaisy]

Wow, the school is driving this kid crazy with their hate and fear and prejudices!

[@fingersmcoy]

ummm, the story was never told here. how do you know what this kid is about? how do you know what the school is about? maybe this kid is disrespectful and says horrible things. you dont know, so dont assume

[@DistractedDaisy]

@@fingersmcoy nope- it's probably because he is not a Handsome white kid with no personal Idea's.. You should watch it because someday someone might say you should not speak because they don't like what you have to say.. this is why whistle blowers get shot.

[@fingersmcoy]

@@DistractedDaisy your use of the word probably shows that you have no idea. You just want your scenario to be true, so you will act like it's true. Typical

[@jamieking79]

You go all out Devan!! Such grace and maturity in such a proud young American!! This vid gives me such great hope for our young folks, and especially YOU!! Carry on and hold our Constitution in your heart ❤️! Sadly, at 88 I might not see where you end up, but I KNOW it will be a place of happiness 😃!!

[@nick_osas]

School should be ashamed for not dropping their grudge with this student.

[@Tartaggz]

Are the administrators of the school okay? Do they need a mental health exam?

[@rjyoon562]

i think they need to go to school again smh dont even know freedom of speech

[@victorsandeen2694]

They need to be fired and have their licences revoked.

[@angelperez7891]

I think so.

[@utkarshadhikari5525]

*Where is the freedom of speech now?* *An Indian guy is facing racism in USA, nothing new*

[@tomg4685]

HITESH Adhikari can you prove that its racism?

[@knowyourworth236]

Yeah, Trump!!!! (Not my president.) Where's your legion of goons for the first amendment? Ohhhh, you only care for the 2nd.

[@Ashley-wh5ph]

It’s not racism

[@Shockkings0714]

Eye well I have (proof on my channel) and it’s not

[@savirahye]

Shooter McGavin ok boomer

[@herogibson]

"when you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar. you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say" - George R. R. Martin, Northwestern University grad.

[@luiscamara1]

Behold, a real American

[@angelperez7891]

Even if he is of Indian descent or even of nationality.

[@AnvilMAn603]

love the blind support for this kid, no idea what he did

[@lukesalisbury6031]

We have literally no clue what happened. It never explained why he can’t go to graduation, or why the school decided to do this. He may have cussed out a teacher or counseler, and they didn’t want him giving a speech to chastise them in front of the public. We don’t know the whole picture here.

[@lukesalisbury6031]

I did some more digging, and the more you look into it, the stranger it gets. The school forced him to have a psychological evaluation to even be considered to return back to schools after his supposed threat of “resolving this peacefully”. That was either some really bad wording, or he said it in a way to scare the consoler. Also, the reason he wasn’t able to give his speech was due to a change is tradition that allowed National Honor Society member to submit speeches that they could give, and he didn’t qualify because of disciplinary actions. I guess this school district doesn’t have a class speaker, someone whose entire job is to do that. While what this school is doing is wrong, he isn’t innocent. It is noted that he stood up for the class. While that sounds like a good thing, we don’t know the circumstances of the incident. He may have been defending his class from a irrational teacher or one getting onto her class for talking or texting or cheating during a test. We don’t know. Teachers don’t like to be attacked for doing their job. No one does. And giving this kid a mic might be the last thing this school needs. This school risked public backlash to do it, so there has to be some risk.

[@tracigreen4786]

Shame on this school for putting this young man through all this. He is a very bright young man who is definitely going to go places. And he is also very handsome.

[@eagleone5456]

He was forced to have a psych eval because he stood up against the authoritative bodies... This is very troubling.

[@awl1116]

School should be sue

[@egg2043]

what if school is tom?

[@JamesGats286]

egg or Dave

[@sarahakhtar3726]

Sally, or Sue?

[@RoyalCaymanian]

Or Daisy

[@l.rongardner2150]

What did he do or say that was so problematic? The video is superficial and doesn't tell us this.

[@52flyingbicycles]

L. Ron Gardner they said they asked the school why they suspended him, but “the school isn’t talking”. So IDK

[@-lord1754]

@@52flyingbicycles That means they suspended him for no good reason and they don't want to admit to it. They are just scared. Administration should be fired. Anti free speech

[@dsolomon]

It wasn't terribly hard-hitting reporting. Some students and teachers can surely paint a clearer, more full picture, but I get the impression this was kind of a fluff piece that they didn't care to investigate deeply. Sounds like they just talked to the kid, one class mate (maybe a few more who weren't willing to talk), and asked for a comment from the school.

[@reneemctume357]

Exactly. They say he was rude to a teacher, but what exactly did he say to her? I wanna know

[@lukesalisbury6031]

Renee McTume We have all been rude to a teacher once or twice, but this is a bit overkill for a suspension. You don’t protest something like this for no reason. This is really strange.

[@jamesburke2110]

I WAS 60 OLD WHEN I GRADUATED COLLEGE WITH A PERFECT 4.0 GPA. BUT I WAS TOLD I COULD NOT BE VALEDICTORIAN BECAUSE I WAS TOO OLD AND IT WOULD NOT BE FAIR TO THE YOUNGER STUDENTS, I WENT TO MY CONGRESSMAN. I GRADUATED VALEDICTORIAN

[@sunkissedmami9233]

I'm glad you got what you wanted its unfair they would rather give it to someone younger when you clearly worked just as hard if not harder than them. I'm proud of you if nobody else has told you and I'm so glad you got exactly what you wanted.

[@philhuber7493]

Ridiculous. Know that the human brain is really not an adult till about 25. These early 20 somethings achievements are remarkable but not so when they can’t do it till about 50 or 60. The effects of an extra 40 years of maturity definitely gives the oldster a giant advantage. It’s ridiculous to contrast the accomplishments of a 20 year old against those of a 60 year old.

[@KamalasNotLikeUs]

Sorry, that’s not an accomplishment. It’s what you should have done as a grownup.

[@matthewguzda4075]

Not fair to younger students how? You're the top student and we won't stand for things like age discrimination. But no what we really stand for is younger students should expect mommy and daddy to get them what they want. Ppl pay lip service to the values that are american

[@matthewguzda4075]

@@KamalasNotLikeUs no it's what he DID as a "grown up"

[@jerrykinnin7941]

Knowledge is power. Education is propaganda. Wisdom is knowing the difference. Good job kid.

[@mrjohnnyk]

Yup, if you want to know anything you sure aren't going to learn it in a school these days.

[@gush8445]

That's what you call a real man. He probably has more pride getting it in the mail than being the good sheep and speaking their words they told him to say.

[@cygnus_XI]

As a citizen of New Jersey in the same county, I can confirm that a lot of the highschool administrators (even one specific college that won’t be named which violated a professor’s freedom of speech and forced them to get a psychiatric evaluation) can be very unreasonable, especially about freedom of speech.

[@knowyourworth236]

So... question to Harvard University: *If this was a WHITE STUDENT, would we be having this discussion?*

[@etherraichu]

There was never a discussion. The news casters were just pointing out that harvard policy allows for it. Harvard didn't say anything.

[@markdouglas1601]

What does Harvard have to do with it? It's his high school

[@lukeclapp499]

@@markdouglas1601 he's just asking harvard because they are smart and would know

[@thomasweber6680]

Bruh this a quote from the goat movie- Dope

[@antoniocontreras9036]

I read this as hwite

[@mauvelous1productions]

This is sad. What kind of a school that doesnt let the student attend graduation because of speaking out the truth? What a sad world we live in

[@woshua3143]

the only people who’s behavior and moral character is being brought into question is the school officials.

[@YummyFood454]

I hope they don’t take away his acceptance. Smart outspoken kid that doesn’t do any harm to anyone. I can respect that

[@ogmandin0544]

CBS " *REACHED OUT* " to Harvard about Devin... Anybody think "asking ' *What are you gonna do about Devin* ?" drew extra attention to him and *WORSENED* his chances for final acceptance??? *THANK YOU, CBS* !!!

[@michaellee9883]

Well, I watched the entire news show and I still have no clue what this is about.

[@fatherp6616]

This kids a G he's goin places fa sho and no one stoppin him mad respect 100

[@bazkoa5215]

Imagine working hard throughout your high school career to earn the title of class valedictorian. Only to be denied a spot at graduation due to a school that's afraid of what their top student might say.

[@fairyofinfiniteglitters587]

I feel sorry for him. Despite almost one decade of hardwork in high school, he was not able to march on stage and deliver his speech.

[@bend5963]

I’m still confused. What did he do exactly?

[@thefuture9361]

born brown probably

[@theAverageJoe25]

Benjamin Donaldson he stood up for his rights

[@anishpatel3118]

He stood up for himself. Schools hate when you do that sort of thing.

[@ddebenedictis]

Details are not presented in this half-report. As with all stories, there are three sides, and here we heard only one.

[@bend5963]

ddebenedictis this is true

[@sweetgirl4u247]

We had a similar thing happen to our valedictorian just because of a silly prank. The entire student body wrote a petition to let him speak. In the end, the school decided to let the student with a GPA under the valedictorian speak instead. Was a sad moment.

[@pandora4me113]

What prank

[@1ambad]

I respect this dude so much

[@theexplorer7139]

Good on you Devin. My school tried to pull the same stunt to me under different circumstances but the same nonetheless many years ago. I wish I had spoken out and sued the school back then.

[@tylertrainz4460]

Pretty sure my school would have done the same to me had I gotten that spot, notorious for shutting down our hyper authoritarian admins and teachers any chance I had.

[@mrjohnnyk]

American schools are run by wannabe dictators.

[@joetheinfant8891]

“I would like to resolve this peacefully.” School: *”clearly you have a mental health condition”*

[@donnaschramm2989]

Be proud of standing your ground. Be proud of yourself. Never for one moment let people who are afraid of what you might say dictate your choices. Small minded people do small minded things. You are destined for greater

[@dianeovercash6739]

I would like to hear the other side of the story.

[@herogibson]

exactly! but i do see how it would be counter productive for them even if they had a good excuse. fact is, if you cut out a man's tongue you don't make him a liar, you merely let everyone else know you were afraid of what he had to say.

[@bluedog562]

Seems like a rude young man.

[@burningpipe2627]

Sigh... circumstances were similar to me when I tried to speak out. "educators" nowdays only care about preserving their own image and authority. They stifle progress.

[@lukesalisbury6031]

Um, I wouldn’t blame the teachers on this one. Most teachers I know are mostly chill and encourage free thought. This sounds like an issue with upper management, not the people doing the educating.

[@jiyaadnaeem4802]

This is such an NJ thing to do - seen it so many times

[@jcd2777]

What happens when you speak truth to "power".

[@heavenshaffer]

Glad to see other students stand up for him. And the school seems horrible.

[@wolfattacker1]

You didn’t search for this.

[@adityasundar324]

No one should have turned up for the graduation. That's the best way to show solidarity to authoritarianism like this.

[@mrjohnnyk]

Yeah but it's easy to be a sycophant, it's a lot harder to stand for things.

[@TheAlecPowers]

It'd be dope if the news station let him give his speech on the air

[@Kp-ld4so]

This school needs to change the school laws

[@loljk1991]

2020 update he is pursuing his Phd at Yale. After graduating with bachelor's from Rutgers

[@rachaellj5781]

This man is an inspiration

[@ryanparkhurst5718]

@Rachel LJ, I don't understand this story, so could you please explain it to me? Thanks, I greatly appreciate it😊

[@TheStarkman123]

Sticks up for people, so they call him a "loud-mouth."

[@nata3467]

I would be so proud of him as a parent, life long educator and current Principal.

[@yalelaw]

The principal always claims students successes even though they’ve never been there for the 4 years

[@OysterPir8]

He should've used "amicably" instead of "peacefully."

[@steveheggem5822]

The school officials are the ones in need of mental evaluations

[@goldproductions5867]

Punishing students for protesting? Sounds like a lawsuit to me.

[@SerTempleton]

So you lot are just wising up to what public (state) schools are; Government sanctioned prisons and correctional facilities for children.

[@mrjohnnyk]

That is what it seemed like to me.

[@blacknoir2404]

I've never known a high school student to not be relieved when finding out that they don't have to give a speech.

[@HolyMarkMcGrath]

This school district most definitely broke the law!

[@Bumblin-Bun]

Jeff Leonard not that I agree with the school but what law are you referring to?

[@samo6401]

I already graduated, but in the US, your rights are forfeited the moment you step on a school campus. Thats what we're told by the faculty anyways. You dont have your constitutional rights until youre outside of school.

[@warblerab2955]

I would love to hear the school’s side of this.

[@TailsWarrior38]

American schools are so over-the-top

[@readhistory2023]

Why do you think Japan is the suicide capital of the world come graduation? This is VERY mild compared to how some foreign schools treat and try and control the kids. As much as doesn't seem right to let it go, it simply isn't worth it to spend $1,000's on a lawyer just so he could give a speech at graduation.

[@martintran4132]

It’s worse in others

[@NYRM1974]

If that was my son the school would be sued for defaming his character and freedom of speech in federal court.

[@nusultannazarbayev7332]

I’m pretty sure there’s definitely more to the story then what was reported. I’d love to see the schools side.

[@ddebenedictis]

Yes. We got a little hint when he said he wanted to resolve this "peacefully". The statement would be far more effective if he left off the last word. He may not even have intended that as a threat but can be heard as one.

[@mrjohnnyk]

@@ddebenedictis Truth can be threatening to authoritarians

[@ddebenedictis]

@@mrjohnnyk or the threat of violence 😃

[@mrjohnnyk]

@@ddebenedictis It's usually the authoritarians who are threatening to take action against people.

[@philipcox4695]

Yeah. High Schools almost always turn a blind eye to the behavior their top academics and athletes especially when they have a ticket to Harvard. There has to more to it than he was just standing up for fellow students. Maybe he has a reputation for getting aggressive and physical.

[@bravestant3921]

This is a terrible thing to instill in students minds

[@kachoo2135]

Don't expect to see me ever again!

[@songhenry1084]

Omg that’s crazy. They’re so scared of something out of nothing

[@047Kenny]

Something isn’t right about this situation. I know my old high school would’ve never been this petty. Time to let go of some of the staff.

[@MrSpy13011]

Some of my class during graduation literally shat on some of the elements of our school and teachers and the principal where laughing.

[@XX-gy7ue]

WHAT HORRID NONSENSE , FIRE EVERYONE AT THE SCHOOL ! no more fascists !

[@dazedk0317]

We exist in a world where the top white man calls the shot. But you know what’s funny? There’s more of us than of them

[@veppy4952]

Then do something lol

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Well, you had the top black man calling the shots (Obama) how did that go for you?

[@noonereally5926]

All those frustrated faculty members are spitefully harming this kids future. Shame on all of them.

[@liuyusi125]

Does anyone see the irony: we are criticizing Chinese government’s act over Hong Kong protectors, and yet in our own back yard, we don’t even allow high school kids to talk... anyone? Or it’s just me?

[@cuac5869]

Yusi Liu believe me, I’ve read so many American comments criticizing other countries but I don’t see them that much better off

[@SK-ct4jt]

Did you seriously compare the most authoritarian regime on the world right now with an ordinary dispute? Try better next time. The fact that he is able to voice his opinion already shows that the US is far better than the PRC. Don’t normalise authoritarianism just because you are Chinese.

[@SK-ct4jt]

Michael Kun that is exactly out of the PRC foreign policy playbook, though. And while the PRC might not be the most authoritarian regime in a traditional sense, it certainly is the most totalitarian. Social credit scores, extreme censorship, Google FB and Co. surrogates, it doesn’t get more dystopian than that. I would criticise a man being killed even if my lamp at home is broken, wouldn’t you?

[@liuyusi125]

Marlow Duse-Jannings no need to be emotional here. I just find the situation funny and how human behaves alike. The issue being, for any kind of fair comparison, no one holds the truth from both ends.

[@Tommy88-]

This country isn’t much different from China in reality, only if you look for differences as oppose to similarities.

[@barriepalmer9292]

Don’t let it get you down. Just post it and watch it go viral. Speak the truth and make it a thorough and concise 👍🏼

[@juliuscrooke3621]

This type of stuff seems like it happens a lot

[@mrjohnnyk]

Yeah it's because American schools are run by unchecked authoritarians

[@andrewvelonis5940]

"seems"

[@jacencade4019]

This school should be ashamed.

[@chasemajor2357]

The school is not right he is a great young men with a good life and school is doing something not right to the men

[@mrjohnnyk]

Another day in America

[@spencerkeys]

The smartest guy in the school isn’t allowed to speak 😂

[@TheActiveAssault]

The entire staff of the school probably went to state schools

[@mrjohnnyk]

Lets face it, nobody worthwhile is in education anymore. It's just a bunch of authoritarian losers.

[@jeffreym68]

As a teacher, I am appalled at the message this sends to students. At least from what we know, there's a bright, hardworking, socially conscious young man who cares about his fellow students and his role as a citizen. Given that he got accepted to Harvard, we also can expect that he shows potential for growth, has shown good character, and is expected to make positive contributions to his community. What part of that, exactly, does Lodi not want associated with them?

[@michaelshapiro1543]

Guessing: ALL OF IT?

[@alejandrogorricho4791]

Student: Speaks out* American authoritarian schools: "This man is delusional, take him to the infirmary"

[@timothyfarrand8407]

About two weeks into college and you'll realize that none of that superficial crap matters.