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

[Dolphy]

"...and for spending more time on fighting the war on terrorism than on domestic issues."

The trouble is Clinton is referring to domestic issues as those that occur at home when a spouse cheats.

[WKB]

Amen! It is sad they allow the manipulation of their lives by such trash as clinton.

[Hildy]

doesn't he look like Ted Baxter in this picture????

[cyncooper]

"You got to keep America better,...

The first black president speaking "black", I suppose.

[Charles Henrickson]

Just stay out of my neighborhood, right?

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

That was mighty white of Slick.

[bourbon]

Not that there was any doubt about it...but I told you Clinton would find the time to criticize Bush even though his pals weren't labeling Clinton's appearance at Tougaloo as a "political visit!" :-)

[cyncooper]

He never makes a speech without

"During his speech, Clinton also criticized current president George Bush

Yup. When this was announced the other day I observed his speeches are nothing but cliches, platitudes, and Bush bashing. I see he threw in the old harkening to his childhood in order to keep the focus on himself, too.

[Free ThinkerNY]

The First Honorary Black President

The Black Historical Landmark torn down to build the Clinton Liebrary

[Charles Henrickson]

. . . . . . . . . ."Ah am the Greatest!"

[ladyinred]

Of course parts of his overly dramatic speech were played on the news. It was quite pukey to listen to his voice deepen, and get so indignant while talking about how terrible the President is. Never thought a former President would do such things, but a gentleman statesman, he ain't. BTW: Former President Ford, and Bush give speeches too, ever hear what they say on the news?

[WKB]

I see he threw in the old harkening to his childhood in order to keep the focus on himself, too.

Yup it's always "me good Bush bad"

[bourbon]

Scary thought: WJTV probably hires the Clarion-Ledger's cast-offs for editors. No wonder they can't write/spell!

[cyncooper]

Of course parts of his overly dramatic speech were played on the news. It was quite pukey to listen to his voice deepen, and get so indignant while talking about how terrible the President is. Never thought a former President would do such things, but a gentleman statesman, he ain't.

It is pukey just to hear you describe it.

BTW: Former President Ford, and Bush give speeches too, ever hear what they say on the news?

Oh, the local news will cover if they give a commencement at the area's university. You can bet they would never dream of taking the occasion of a commencement to criticize a sitting president. Even all those years this thing held that title.

[WKB]

BTW: Former President Ford, and Bush give speeches too, ever hear what they say on the news?

Former Bush was in Jackson 2 weeks ago at a Cancer Center. Nobody heard about that though.

[WKB]

Scary thought: WJTV probably hires the Clarion-Ledger's cast-offs for editors

The C\L is being run by Nothern blacks who are bringing in nothern blacks to fill any job opening.

I know several sales managers that were fired for this very reason.
It is not going to get any better.