News Summary
A Lower Merion High School senior was barred from participating in graduation due to wearing a keffiyeh, leading to allegations of discrimination and profiling. Despite previous acceptance of the traditional headscarf, school officials insisted on its removal, citing political implications. The student faced scrutiny and restrictions during the ceremony, sparking outrage from civil rights organizations and raising concerns about inconsistent treatment among students based on their cultural expressions and beliefs.
Ardmore, PA: Lower Merion High School Senior’s Graduation Participation Denied Due to Headscarf
Evan Tedgi, a graduating senior from Lower Merion High School, was barred from fully participating in their graduation ceremony due to wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional headscarf associated with Middle Eastern culture and often used to manage specific hair types. Tedgi was required to watch their classmates graduate through a live stream until their name was called, highlighting an incident that has stirred allegations of discrimination and racial profiling.
The issue arose when Tedgi attended the graduation wearing the keffiyeh, which they argued is an integral part of their identity. Despite wearing the headscarf to school and other school events without any prior issues, the school principal and activities director informed Tedgi that they needed to remove it to participate in the ceremony. The school officials suggested that the colors of the keffiyeh implied a potential “political statement,” leading to their decision to enforce a ban.
When Tedgi refused to take off the headscarf, they were escorted out of the graduation venue. A newly implemented ban communicated in a letter prior to graduation, which has not been publicly disclosed, reportedly served as the basis for the school’s decision. Event personnel indicated that they perceived Tedgi as a “threat” due to the headwear, a claim that added to the tension during the ceremony.
In an attempt to gain access to the graduation festivities, Tedgi and their mother engaged in a lengthy negotiation with school officials. As part of the discussions, Tedgi was pressured to submit to a body search before being allowed to participate. This search included emptying pockets, being subject to a pat-down, and having their socks checked for weapons. Although allowed to attend the ceremony under strict conditions, Tedgi was given the ultimatum of being escorted during the event or withholding their diploma.
The restrictions imposed during the graduation included instructions not to make any hand gestures or salutes, a stipulation that Tedgi found particularly offensive. Following the ceremony, Tedgi was escorted outside to receive their diploma as event staff closely monitored them throughout the proceedings. During the event, Tedgi also expressed discomfort about being pressured to fit a graduation cap over their afro, which was incompatible with their hairstyle.
Following the incident, Tedgi expressed a belief that they were targeted because of their pro-Palestinian views and previous interactions with school authorities. The Lower Merion School District defended its actions, asserting a need for “clear guidance regarding acceptable apparel and accessories” during graduation to maintain an inclusive atmosphere as it celebrates academic achievements.
The situation has drawn public scrutiny with organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Philadelphia and the Lower Merion Alliance for Free Speech on Palestine condemning the school’s actions as violations of free expression. They described the incident as blatant examples of racial and political profiling, raising concerns about perceived inconsistencies in how different students are treated based on their expressions of identity and beliefs.
Critics pointed out that students at another graduation ceremony were allowed to display Israeli flags, fueling allegations of favoritism within the district’s policies regarding student expression. In light of the controversy, Rabbis for Ceasefire has called for the district to apologize and reconsider its policies surrounding student rights to free expression during school events.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Philadelphia
- Wikipedia: Headscarf
- Patch
- Google Search: Middle Eastern culture
- NBC News
- Google Scholar: dress codes school policy
- PhillyVoice
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Freedom of Speech
- Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
- Google News: racial profiling in schools
