The Associated Press oBama enCouraGes morehouse GraDs to serVe others Synopsis: President Obama, in a soaring commencement address on work, sacrifice and opportunity, told graduates of historically black Morehouse College yesterday to seize the power of their example as black men graduating from college and use it to improve people’s lives.
a willingness to serve the powerless and give back to underserved communities.
The Huffington Post/The Associated Press oBama morehouse CommenCement sPeeCh asKs GraDs to helP those Who neeD it most Speaking in personal terms as he often does when addressing predominantly black audiences, particularly of black males, the nation’s first black president also spoke intimately of his desire to be a better father to daughters Malia and Sasha than his absent father was to him, and to be a better husband to his wife, Michelle. He told the graduates to pay attention to their families, saying success in every other aspect of life means nothing without success at home.
On Leadership: The Washington Post PresiDent oBama’s GraDuation sPeeCh at morehouse ColleGe The highlight of the weekend was President Obama‘s moving and personal remarks at Morehouse College, the historically black men’s college in Atlanta. In a speech that touched on race, fatherhood, manhood and leadership in far more personal terms than is typical for the president, Obama spoke about the obligations of the graduates before him—the responsibility of being a father and husband, the responsibility he and other successful black men have to other young African American men behind them, and the responsibility of making a greater contribution to society.
TheGrio morehouse GraDs ‘ProuD’ to Witness historiC oBama CommenCement sPeeCh Synopsis: Peppering his speech with lighthearted humor, Obama emphasized the importance of not only academic success but
Chicago Tribune honorarY DeGree President Barack Obama adjusts his tie before receiving an honorary doctor of Laws at the graduation ceremony of the class of 2013 at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, May 19, 2013.
“MSNBC with Craig Melvin” In an eight-minute segment, John Silvanus Wilson Jr., president of Morehouse College, and new Morehouse graduate Leland Shelton
share their reactions to President Obama’s commencement address there with MSNBC’s Craig Melvin. “PoliticsNations with Al Sharpton” Al Sharpton and Melissa Harris-Perry discuss the message behind President Obama’s speech to Morehouse, including the criticism that his speech evoked race too often. “CBS This Morning” Anchors Charlie rose and Norah O’donnell discuss President Obama’s speech, saying he delivered a direct message to the all-male, all-black audience and that the speech will be looked at over the years. “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC) during his opening monologue, late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel compared his commencement address with President Obama’s to the students of Morehouse College and, in a humorous fashion, explained why the “Live” host will never be president. “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC) Jay Leno joked about President Obama’s new jobs policy during the opening monologue of his show the Tuesday after Commencement, saying that the president told the Morehouse graduating class their futures were bright unless, of course, they want jobs. n
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