Current:Home > Contact-usHe was expelled after he refused to cut his afro. 57 years later, he got his degree-LoTradeCoin
He was expelled after he refused to cut his afro. 57 years later, he got his degree
View Date:2024-12-23 21:35:20
It took almost 60 years, but Otis Taylor was finally able to take the stage.
Who is he? The 74-year-old acclaimed blues musician and multi-instrumentalist has had made a career of crooning, strumming and rebelling against the status quo.
- He's been nominated for awards, scored films, and even took a long hiatus from music before coming back swinging.
- His music has experimented with different genres and themes, and has focused heavily on the struggle of being Black in America.
- In 1966, Taylor was denied his high school diploma from Manual High School in Denver, Colo., for refusing to cut off his afro at the administration's request.
What's the big deal? Well, that haircut rule isn't required any longer. Taylor was finally able to receive his diploma in May, and walked the stage in a ceremony held by the Denver public school district.
- While much of the conversation that followed his graduation has been framed around Taylor's afro, he doesn't think that is the singular reason why he didn't get to walk all those years ago, and instead says it came at a time of schools cracking down on rebellious students in general.
- "Other students in college in Denver did [get asked to cut their hair], like the surfer kids. It was sort of like it was the beginning of the counterculture, where The Beatles came out there growing their hair. But the schools [had] a real big counterculture battle with these kids growing their hair," he told NPR.
- Despite achieving his goal of becoming a professional musician, Taylor says that he never felt like his father forgave him for not receiving his diploma.
What's he saying? Taylor spoke with NPR about the experience.
On his decision to refuse the haircut and follow his dream:
People have asked, "Would you do it if you had the chance to do it over again?" Hell yes I'd do it over again. You know, when you want to play music, you want to play music.
And his feelings at the graduation ceremony:
I was embarrassed, because there was other people graduating, but they focused on me.
They did a proclamation. So each person on the school board with the robes came up and read two paragraphs about who I was. It was kind of embarrassing. I just felt silly, because there's other people in there.
And I think there was a woman graduating with a year-and-a-half-year-old little boy in her arms. To me, she must have had to work really hard to get there. I don't know if I can explain how I felt.
Want more on famous musicians? Listen to Consider This reflect on the life of Rock n Roll icon, Tina Turner.
On his feelings all these years later:
You can't dwell on all the bad things that happened to you, especially as a Black person. You know, you just have those moments and I had a choice.
On his advice to young people who want to challenge norms:
It doesn't matter if you conform or don't conform. But I think people, you need to learn how to do something. It doesn't matter how you get the education. Just learn how to do something, whether you're a car mechanic or a computer person, or artist. You have to find a way to learn, whatever that takes.
So, what now?
- Taylor has continued to make and release music, with his latest album Banjo... released earlier this year.
Learn more:
- A Korean American connects her past and future through photography
- Flooded with online hate, the musician corook decided to keep swimming
- An exhibition of Keith Haring's art and activism makes clear: 'Art is for everybody'
veryGood! (838)
Related
- Women’s baseball players could soon have a league of their own again
- Drone video captures aftermath of home explosion that left 2 dead in Bel Air, Maryland
- Americans are becoming less religious. None more than this group
- Jurors deliberating in case of Colorado clerk Tina Peters in election computer system breach
- What is prize money for NBA Cup in-season tournament? Players get boost in 2024
- Young Thug racketeering and gang trial resumes with new judge presiding
- Jordan Chiles medal inquiry: USA Gymnastics says arbitration panel won’t reconsider decision
- A conservative gathering provides a safe space for Republicans who aren’t on board with Trump
- Gun groups sue to overturn Maine’s new three-day waiting period to buy firearms
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can remain on the North Carolina presidential ballot, judge says
Ranking
- Mike Tyson is expected to honor late daughter during Jake Paul fight. Here's how.
- As Olympic flag lands in Los Angeles, pressure turns up for 2028 Summer Games
- A jury says a Louisiana regulator is not liable for retirees’ $400 million in Stanford Ponzi losses
- Saturday Night Live’s Bowen Yang Says One Host Was So Rude Multiple Cast Members Cried
- MLS playoff teams set: Road to MLS Cup continues with conference semifinals
- The Bachelor Season 29 Star Revealed
- Pokémon Voice Actor Rachael Lillis Dead at 46
- Sur La Table Flash Sale: $430 Le Creuset Dutch Oven For $278 & More 65% Off Kitchen Deals Starting at $7
Recommendation
-
Watch: Military dad's emotional return after a year away
-
Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs leaves practice with hamstring injury
-
US wholesale inflation cooled in July in sign that price pressures are continuing to ease
-
Red Sox suspend Jarren Duran for two games for directing homophobic slur at fan
-
Jason Kelce Offers Up NSFW Explanation for Why Men Have Beards
-
Why Are the Starliner Astronauts Still in Space: All the Details on a Mission Gone Awry
-
Connecticut Republicans pick candidates to take on 2 veteran Democrats in Congress
-
Yellowjackets' Samantha Hanratty Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Husband Christian DeAnda