Black Honor Student Refuses To Shake Select Administrators Hands During Graduation: ‘Smart And Sassy’
A Black student went viral Wednesday after she intentionally refused to shake select administrator's hands on stage during graduation.
On June 11, John J. Duggan Academy held their commencement ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts, and a specific graduate took advantage of the opportunity to make a public statement while on stage.
Footage posted by TikTok user Kakeihana — which has been seen 2.5 million times and gained over 400K likes — shows Katrina Williams receiving her diploma before proceeding to walk past several staff members, carefully selecting who to acknowledge.
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@kakeihana They were so mad. She didnt shake their hands Shes a honor student. Smart & sassy. #graduation ♬ rock your hips - 310babii & OhGeesy & BlueBucksClan
"They were so mad," Kakeihana wrote in the video's caption regarding staff who appeared to scoff at the gesture. "She didn't shake their hands [laugh emoji]. She's an honor student. Smart & sassy."
"The one guy looked so happy and then confused when he didn't get a shake back [crying emoji] I love this," a fellow TikTok user responded. "That was so satisfying to watch," another wrote.
"Respect is earned...not just given some of these teachers and administrators think they can treat us any kind of way but we get our lick back on grad day," a third user replied.
The bold move comes just days after a white dad shoved a Black superintendent preventing him from shaking his daughter's hand during commencement. The Wisconsin father was allegedly overheard saying, "That's my daughter."
Baraboo School District Superintendent, Rainey Briggs, allegedly was heard responding, "Get your hands off of me." School staff standing in close proximity appeared perplexed by his aggression, as did his own daughter.
Per 'The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,' a judge ruled that the ill-tempered father will have no contact with Superintendent Briggs following a temporary restraining order. That hearing is scheduled for June 14.
