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Was accused of lacking ‘awareness of culturally responsive norms’

A white Philadelphia school principal has filed a federal lawsuit claiming she was racially discriminated against following a two-year-old graduation ceremony incident.

A video of Principal Lisa Mesi, who had withheld diplomas from a trio of black students for violation of graduation ceremony rules, went viral in 2023 (see below).

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Mesi had warned the Philadelphia High School for Girls senior class in advance they were “expected to dress in all white and walk across the […] stage sedately, without celebration.”

Mesi (pictured) further advised students that if “their families clapped, cheered, or called out their names” their diplomas would be withheld until later.

Two diplomas were held back from a student who “danced across the stage,” and from another “who flipped her hair, prompting someone to clap.”

Many alleged Mesi was “insensitive to Black culture” by her actions.

School board President Reginald Streater had said holding the diplomas “preclude[d] moments of inclusive joy,” while Assistant Superintendent Ted Domers told Mesi she showed a “lack of respect” and lack of “awareness of culturally responsive norms.”

According to the suit filed last week, Mesi said she was “falsely accused” of being racist for withholding the diplomas, and that police had to get involved due to “threatening, crass and profane comments” directed at her.

Mesi eventually was removed from her position “as a form of discipline and given a demeaning ‘special assignment’ because she is white,” the suit says.

MORE: Philadelphia parent group wants a ‘joy audit,’ ‘chief joy officer’ for city schools

The complaint further notes the Philadelphia High School for Girls, the “nation’s first public high schools for women,” has had an “’established rule and tradition’ of requiring its graduates to process formally across the stage, without audience applause or shouting.”

A white Philadelphia principal has filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination after being removed from her position following a controversial graduation ceremony…

She withheld the diplomas of two black students after they danced across the stage at their graduation and… pic.twitter.com/8oIylCX6VA

— ‘Seeing is believing’ (@dave24144975) January 12, 2025

Mesi says she was punished for “refus[ing] to appear at a public press conference and to issue a public apology, as requested by the defendants, regarding a matter of public concern that had racial overtones.”

Defendants named in the suit include the Philadelphia School District and Associated Superintendent Tomas Hanna. Mesi is seeking compensation for “emotional pain, reputational harm, loss of earnings, and opportunities for professional advancement.”

From the story:

[Mesi] was found guilty of insubordination “for refusing to provide support for composing a public message” to respond to the diploma incident, and Mesi was transferred to a central office job “with prejudice,” the lawsuit says.

Mesi spent the 2023-24 school year as “principal on special assignment,” working a desk job performing “simplistic and menial tasks not suitable for someone of her caliber and with her experience and qualifications, such as creating PowerPoint slides and Excel sheets, and preparing emails and briefings for an Associate Superintendent.” It was “humiliating and demeaning” for Mesi, the suit says.

She applied for open administrative jobs, including associate superintendent and principal positions at Masterman, Greenberg, and Meredith Schools, but was rejected for all; Mesi maintains that less-qualified Black candidates were chosen for at least two of the jobs.

Mesi currently is principal at an arts and sciences school, a position “far from the top of [her] ‘wish list’ as compared to the positions for which she was rejected.”

MORE: Black girls say they’re ‘routinely subjected to racism’ by students, teachers in Philly schools

IMAGE: Daily Mail Online/X

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