Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good for them. I'm AA and attended another Ivy for graduate training, after an HBCU for undergrad. I can see the desire for such a celebration, in addition to the regular ceremony.

Apparently it's mostly for Harvard graduate students at this point, but they're hoping to extend to undergrads in future years.

Can you elaborate?

PP here. If you're AA or Latino at many institutions, you're part of a pretty small minority. My brother visited me during my Ivy training and commented about how the black students around campus looked lost--lol. He was probably projecting, but still, I can see how for many, it might feel a bit lonely. Having a community can help provide a sense of support during the transition and matriculation, IMO, especially for undergrad.

So basically, sometimes members of these groups seek out others who have their cultural background and shared experiences for a sort of built-in sense of community and support. This graduation ceremony simply seems like an extension/capstone to that experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great way to bring people together!LOL

+1. So ridiculous.

Is it only ridiculous because black students are doing it? Because the Asian and Latino students (among other groups) have been doing it for several years.

Easy there cowboy, I'm not the PP but I believe the sentiment is that an additional ceremony or gathering for ANY non-academic group seems a bit divisive.

Yet some folks are cheering them saying yes, what a great idea yet Dr. Martin Luther King said

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Yet the black community, the hispanic community continue to push separate things as the first this the first that instead of just talking about the accomplishment.

Well done

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great way to bring people together!LOL

+1. So ridiculous.

Is it only ridiculous because black students are doing it? Because the Asian and Latino students (among other groups) have been doing it for several years.

Anonymous wrote:Great way to bring people together!LOL

+1. So ridiculous.

Please tell me that the media isn't reporting this correctly.
Can anyone explain the justification for such an event?
In 2017, this is just insanity.

Anonymous wrote:Good for them. I'm AA and attended another Ivy for graduate training, after an HBCU for undergrad. I can see the desire for such a celebration, in addition to the regular ceremony.

Apparently it's mostly for Harvard graduate students at this point, but they're hoping to extend to undergrads in future years.

Can you elaborate?

Anonymous wrote:I received my invitation to the ceremony today (email) and I graduated 22 years ago. It is for the graduate students and is in addition to the regular ceremonies for their respective graduate programs. It's more just getting the students and their families together for a more intimate event. No biggie!

The article makes it seem like it's an actual Black Commencement ceremony, but your post makes it sound less like that? Is it just a dinner for interested AA graduates/families/alumni? I'd be interested in hearing more about it!

Great way to bring people together!LOL

I received my invitation to the ceremony today (email) and I graduated 22 years ago. It is for the graduate students and is in addition to the regular ceremonies for their respective graduate programs. It's more just getting the students and their families together for a more intimate event. No biggie!

Good for them. I'm AA and attended another Ivy for graduate training, after an HBCU for undergrad. I can see the desire for such a celebration, in addition to the regular ceremony.

Apparently it's mostly for Harvard graduate students at this point, but they're hoping to extend to undergrads in future years.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they're allowed to attend the regular one. It's just an extra graduation for them, similar to departments holding graduation events. Nothing novel.

At which ceremony do they actually get their diplomas? Or do you get your diploma at the 'regular' commencement, and then the Black graduation / Latino graduation is just a photo op.

The article also mentions that Latin American students have had a separate graduation ceremony for the past 3 years.

Is this common at other schools?

Yes, they're allowed to attend the regular one. It's just an extra graduation for them, similar to departments holding graduation events. Nothing novel.

Has this already been discussed?

Harvard is doing a separate ceremony exclusively for Black Students. I'm not Black or White (other minority), but found the article interesting.

I was trying to figure out if the Black students are also allowed to attend the 'regular' ceremony, of if they are only allowed to attend one?

And, will this idea trickle down to other schools? Or, even down to high schools?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/harvard-hold-graduation-ceremony-black-124111044.html