You might have heard the appalling news: A high school wrestling referee in New Jersey on Wednesday made a wrestler choose between cutting his dreadlocks or forfeiting his match.



Fortunately, it’s a teachable moment.



To teach kids about racial and cultural sensitivity.



To teach kids about responsibility.



To teach kids about accountability.



Of course here's how: Make sure referee Alan Maloney never again officiates a high school athletic event.



And in the meantime, let’s keep a close eye on the the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

The association has said it is investigating the incident and will recommend "to chapter officials that the referee in question not be assigned to any event until this matter has been reviewed more thoroughly in order to avoid potential distractions for the competing wrestlers."

That’s all good and well, but the investigation better be quick because what happened is clear: A white referee gave an ultimatum to an African-American high school wrestler, Andrew Johnson.

The photograph of Johnson having his dreadlocks cut before he competed and won his match is stomach-turning.

It turns out the referee is a two-time offender when it comes to public, race-related transgressions, too. In 2016, he was accused of directing a racial slur at another referee at a private gathering among officials.

Although Maloney has claimed he doesn’t remember uttering the slur, he has accepted the accounts of witnesses who said it happened, according the Courier-Post. So perhaps he’ll accept responsibility for the incident on Wednesday that New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said left him “deeply disturbed.’’

Tweeted Murphy, “No student should have to needlessly choose between his or her identity & playing sports.’’

Fortunately, the offending wrestling referee can help reinforce that message, but only if the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association issues him a lifetime ban.