Sad.  Racism is lame.  I'm glad we have made progress and look forward to continuing.  My peers and I were raised in Alaska to treat people like people and not really care what race someone was.  Whenever encountering racism, it always seemed like it was by someone who was from the lower 48 who brought their prejudices with them.  Most of the time, after getting to know the people they were discriminating against, they realized their prejudices were silly.  

I hope over time, this principal did the same and learned to appreciate this family.  It's unfortunate that he isn't alive to be able to give his perspective or defend himself.  I do hope he changed his mind.