Former President Bill Clinton Speaks at Black College(for free)

Jackson, Miss. (WJTV) ^ | 2-18-03 | By Rodney Dunigan

[WKB]

An air of patriotism covered the campus of Tougaloo College Sunday, as graduates were given a special gift. Former President, Bill Clinton as the commencement speaker.

"It's such an honor because Tougaloo is just a wonderful institution," said graduate, Shani Collins.

Collins, who comes from a long line of Tougaloo grads, six family members to be exact says Clinton's visit reflects how special the small historically black college is.

"Tougaloo is a diamond in the rough," said Collins.

Those sentiments were shared by the former president, who praised the school for it's many years of educating African-American youth and it's role in the civil rights struggle.

"We've come a long way from the segregated south of my childhood to the time when I was a little boy when it wasn't just the schools that were segregated it was the kids who we could play with, the place we sat in the movie theater, the bus, the places we laid our head down when we were on the road at night. So while your invitation to America has not been fully excepted, we have come a long way thanks in no small measure to Tougaloo and the historically black colleges and the leaders they have produced," said Clinton.

This year Tougaloo College will celebrate 134 years of teaching. Expanding on its rich history and strong tradition, that graduates "This is just great for Tougaloo College and I'm happy to be a part of the class of 2003," said graduate, Allison Lockett.

Clinton also urged students to serve the community and take it upon themselves to create a better tomorrow for the country as a whole.

"You got to keep America better, do not grow weary, do not lose heart. You are now the 21st century foot soldiers of the American dream," said Clinton.

A responsibility these new graduates say they're ready for.

During his speech, Clinton also criticized current president George Bush for his opposition to affirmative action in college admissions, and for spending more time on fighting the war on terrorism than on domestic issues

[WorkingClassFilth]

Yes, Sir, I do see what you say. His face in #6 looks like an uncooked slab of hamsteak with Christmas tree flocking for hair. I do believe he's becoming more aquainted with some of Mr. Kennedy's friends & relatives like Teddy's Old Grandad and Mr. Beam and Mr. Daniels.

[noutopia]

Wonder how many of that crowd didn't like him. He is such a dirtbag.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Got Bill's picture from that speech.

[Mr. Mojo]

LOL!..Hilarious. A perfect description.

[Charles Henrickson]

. . . praised the school for it's many years of educating African-American youth and it's role in the civil rights struggle. . . . "So while your invitation to America has not been fully excepted. . . ."

They teach spelling and vocabulary down there, don't they?

[WKB]

They teach spelling and vocabulary down there, don't they?

Yes but they aren't real good at it!

[Beth]

The country's first "black" president. Sheesh!! He must have begged for this gig, no one else would have him.

[Charles Henrickson]

Our first "blecch!" president.

[bourbon]

"...So while your invitation to America has not been fully excepted accepted..."

Sorry, I had to fix a little of that WJTV spelling there.

What is Clinton saying here? Blacks are second-class citizens?!

Now, isn't this just the most depressing way imaginable to celebrate one's graduation? I mean, how'd you like to be graduating from college only to have a former US president perpetuating the myth of your peonage in his commencement address?

[InvisibleChurch]

xxxlinton never does anything for free

[WorkingClassFilth]

"Wonder how many of that crowd didn't like him. He is such a dirtbag."

You know, I was thinking the same thing. Quite a few of these venerable old Black Colleges exist and have served Black Americans well when no other options existed. I can only imaging what men like Fredrick Douglas or George Washington Carver would have had to say about a race mainpulator like Krinton. The fact that the current administrations are as foolish and Left-wing as any other College or University in the US - too bad. I hope that the level of academic excellence is as high as it has been in the past for real Americans like Douglas, Carver and hundreds of others.

[WKB]

Sorry, I had to fix a little of that WJTV spelling there

I just copy and paste. No editing! LOL

[lizma]

Dear Lord, You can fool some of the people all the time.

You just want to shake these people. Tell them that what is respected is not your vicitmhood status but your ability to contribute.

If your skin color is a barrier, prove that wrong. Show them that preconcieved notions are silly.

I did it as a women in a mainly male career twenty-five years ago. I didn't complain, I worked harder and got rewarded.

Hard work in America is a good thing. At least for now.

[fat city]

You gets what you pays for.

[Charles Henrickson]

. . . graduates were given a special gift. Former President, Bill Clinton. . . .