Rev. Sharpton's Graduation Speech @ Dunbar

[Anonymous]

I am wondering if there's anyone on this blog, who attended Dunbar's graduation on Wednesday. Rev. Sharpton had a point he needed to express to our future graduates and he used the n-word more than a couple of times. First time he used it, you could hear a fly piss on cotton but by the last time he used it a roaring round of applause erupted. I am guessing we have become numbed to the n-word.
,
No, we have not.

[Anonymous]

I did not but I'd love to read what was said. Or perhaps there is video footage out there???

[Anonymous]

I am surprised because FOX-news announced that he was going to be the commencement speaker during the AM newsbroadcast but there was not one news reporter there with a camera to memorialize that speech. One thing for sure after Sharpton made that speech he immediately departed and said it was because he had a previous engagement. Sharpton left so fast...exit stage right that a student on the stage chased after him to take a picture with him.

[Anonymous]

The question is how was it used and what was said. It might have been appropriate it might not, without knowing more about the speech it's hard to know.

[Anonymous]

So he gives a whole speech and that's all you can comment on and you can't even provide the context??? He's not a dumb man and he is a great speaker, who typically makes very good points.....maybe you should have listened instead of finding something to find fault in.

[Anonymous]

Where's the complaint? I was present at the graduation. There was only one yelling of "boo" when Rev. Sharpton's name was mentioned. As for the use of the word it was a moment where everyone in the audience was wondering where this was going. But once he got into the speech and the point was clear it was alright. The context of the speech was not to let the n-word define you nor confine you.

By the way I do have a snippet of the speech but I am not tech saavy to able download it.

[Anonymous]

The point he was driving that is that the word is nothing to embrace. Unfortunately it's widely used by folks of all colors who don't know any better.

[Anonymous]

I definitely agree. If the speech became a big deal it was purely because of Rev. Sharpton. Much ado about nothing.

[Anonymous]

Its ok to use if you end it with gga

[Anonymous]

19:58, don't get it. I think you need to get it off your bucket list too.

[Anonymous]

I know that Sharpton was a part of the group (along with the NAACP) that "burried" the N word. I saw it on tv. They had a funeral and everything. This was only two to three years ago.

So now he is using it in commencement speeches? He is a hipocrite and racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that Sharpton was a part of the group (along with the NAACP) that "burried" the N word. I saw it on tv. They had a funeral and everything. This was only two to three years ago.

So now he is using it in commencement speeches? He is a hipocrite and racist.

A "hipocrite" and a racist? He talks about everything that people in this country want to bury and pretend has never happened. Until we can have some very real and courageous conversations about how this country developed to the power that it is and seek to make amends for the fact that it has and still benefits from its past transgressions we will continue to get nowhere. Education is one of those things that is a product of the ills of the past and present in America.

[Anonymous]

Hipocrite - a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.

He "burried" the N word on National TV, then used it in a COMMENCEMENT speech. Yes, he is a hipocrite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hipocrite - a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.

He "burried" the N word on National TV, then used it in a COMMENCEMENT speech. Yes, he is a hipocrite.

I know the definition, but do you know how to spell it? The fact is that many people still use it and the message of the speech was not to be defined by it. You are the perfect example of someone who can't see the forest for the trees...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hipocrite - a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.

He "burried" the N word on National TV, then used it in a COMMENCEMENT speech. Yes, he is a hipocrite.

I know the definition, but do you know how to spell it? The fact is that many people still use it and the message of the speech was not to be defined by it. You are the perfect example of someone who can't see the forest for the trees...

Whoops! I guess not, I will admit I am a terrible speller, always have been, but really, don't you think if the NAACP burried the word to "get it out of their spirit" it should be gone for good? I really don't understand how anyone can defend Sharpton using it, no matter what the context. Maybe you are right and I am missing a more important message being communicated, but I really don't understand the need for it.

Here is an article on the burial, just as an FYI: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19680493/ns/us_news-life/t/naacp-delegates-bury-n-word-ceremony/