Posted on 05/09/2004 6:51:09 AM PDT by wjersey
THORNBURY -- Dissatisfied with their school’s choice of commencement speaker, about half of Saturday’s graduating class at Cheyney University rebuffed U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., by standing and turning their backs to him during his speech.
Just as Santorum began his address, dozens of the 324 graduates stood and faced the audience. One graduate left the area. Many in the crowd applauded the students’ actions. "Don’t hide from controversy," Santorum told the students as many carried on conversations, at times almost drowning out the senator’s words.
Santorum continued with his speech, raising his voice to be heard among the noise and stopped only when he was finished.
Some audience members were vocally opposed to the senator’s comments about problems in the African-American community.
On that subject, Santorum began by talking about the modern-day threat to civility, which he said was not as offensive as segregation but still was a major concern -- the breakdown of the traditional family.
He said a large part of the problem was families without fathers, adding that that would only lead to bad things for children, mothers and fathers.
Those without a traditional family structure, he said, were more likely to commit crimes and become involved in drugs.
Yet Santorum gave credit to those fighting against that trend. "The black community has done more to survive than any other community," he said, adding that overall, society has tried to maintain tradition although the face of families have changed.
What used to be about two-thirds of black children coming from two-parent families has been reduced to half that today, Santorum said.
After that remark, a woman in the audience stood up, pointed to the turned students and shouted, "I’m about ready to join them. What’s he going to do about it?"
"I challenge you to rebel against the cultures of victims," he told the students.
Santorum outlined the responsibility they have with their education.
"You will have the stature in your community to take a leadership role," he said. "Can you handle that?"
He said change could come one person at a time.
Santorum gave the example of former Philadelphia Eagle Ray Ellis, who is now pastor at Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Ellis, he said, was raised by a single mother.
The pastor wanted to become a role model by having a traditional family and has done so, the senator said.
He raised his arm and showed a bracelet bearing the word "family."
Santorum explained what it meant to him, "Forget about me, I love you. It’s about dying to self and serving others."
He reminded the grads of Condolezza Rice’s words at last year’s National Prayer Breakfast.
"Only through struggle can we learn the depth of our resilience," Santorum said.
His final words seemed to reverberate for both speaker and students. "Be not afraid to rebel, to sacrifice, to serve to be selfless," he said. "It will save your country, you community, your family, yourself."
As he finished, a man in the crowd cried, "Get off the stage!"
After Santorum, several rows of students gave state Rep. Thaddeus Kirland, D-159, of Chester, a standing ovation before he gave his official charge to the class of 2004.
"Provide a service of excellence," he said. "Be the very best that you can be. Don’t be mediocre."
No matter what the controversy, friends and families were proud of their graduates.
Dana Linder of Philadelphia sat in the Quadrangle, watching his wife, Latosha Christian, obtain her bachelor’s degree in psychology.
"It’s been a long road," he said, "but it was well worth it."
Linder worked the evening shift as Christian studied and took care of the three children during the day.
"I do what I’ve got to do to get her education," he said. "I’m just happy that she gets her dream."
The disruptors were apparently racists who hate white people.
Feel sorry for us! These are the future leaders of this country, and we can see from this example just what kind of education/indoctrination our children are receiving......
Remember, THEY will be paying OUR Social Security.........(now THAT is a very frightening thought.......)
No, they will vote in Socialized Medicine and give us the Magic Kevorkian Needle, in effect.
If that's the way you express your opinions within a group, I don't think you'll be participating in too many groups empowering you with a paycheck.
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