The University of Florida has come under fire after a faculty member started rushing students, many of them African-American, off the stage at a graduation ceremony. What drew the faculty member’s ire? Apparently, one of the students opted to do a quick dance to celebrate their degrees, while others were taking selfies.
Some might question if the graduation stage walk is the appropriate forum for dancing and selfies. At the same time, the dances appeared to have been short and not overly disruptive. Many people have noted on social media that students are shelling out a lot of money for their college degrees. If they want to perform a quick dance after all that time and money spent, who’s to blame them?
To the people who feel UF is justified in pushing people off the stage because they were “dancing”. 1. He had no right to touch any student like that 2. He also pushed a girl who was just trying to take a selfie and 3. LET PEOPLE CELEBRATE THIER GRADUATION. #IsItGreatUF? pic.twitter.com/iVmrgeqTXz
— welp. 🥀 (@yeliah_) May 6, 2018
Further, students of non-color also performed various stage tricks, such as back-flips and selfies. It appears that many of these students were allowed to perform their moves. It’s possible that the students who got hurried from the stage stemmed from their skin color. It’s also possible that the faculty member was simply annoyed by the repeated demonstrations. At least one white student was also hassled and rushed along.
Meanwhile, some media outlets are claiming that it is tradition among fraternities and sororities, particularly black ones, to take a “stroll” on the graduation stage. Apparently, the short dances are variations of their Greek house dances.
It’s unclear if students were pushed only at one particular graduation walk or in general. Either way, the University of Florida has been effusive with its apologies. The University has promised to ban the practice of hassling students.
A personal message from President Fuchs
Rethinking commencement: https://t.co/CB3hGAg67Q pic.twitter.com/ngiWrOLGAs— FLORIDA (@UF) May 8, 2018
