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On Friday, First Lady Michelle Obama used the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling to lecture graduating high school seniors in Topeka, Kansas, that America is still a racist country. Despite the fact that her husband was elected President of the United States twice, Obama said: This issue is so sensitive, it’s so complicated, so bound up with a painful history. No matter what you do, the point is to never be afraid to talk about these issues, particularly the issue of race, because even today, we still struggle to do that. Just...

First Lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to address the combined high school graduating class of the Topeka, KS school district next month and some of the students are upset about it. One student, 18 year old Taylor Gifford, began a petition to ask Mrs. Obama not to speak because there would be limited seating for family and friends. Gifford's petition has already gotten 1200 signatures.

An invitation to Michelle Obama to speak at the Topeka Unified School District 501 graduation ceremony by the district has some parents and students crying foul. The First Lady's appearance caused the district to combine all five schools' graduation ceremonies into one mega-ceremony, and may force limitations on the number of tickets that can be distributed to friends and families. A petition drive has been started to request that the district reconsider their plans about the combined ceremony, or have Michelle Obama speak at a separate event from the graduation. The First Lady was invited to speak on the anniversary...

Given their druthers, some Kansas high school students and their parents said they would rather keep their graduation day just a family affair instead of expanding the guest list to include first lady Michelle Obama. The district announced that Obama was speaking to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision that made school segregation unconstitutional.

MRS. OBAMA: Thank you so much. (Applause.) Thank you. It is truly a pleasure and an honor to be here with all of you tonight. Thank you so much for having me. I want to start by thanking Congressman Cleaver and Shuanise Washington for their outstanding work and for their introduction. I also want to recognize your terrific CBC Foundation President and CEO, Elsie Scott. (Applause.) And of course, I want to congratulate this year's Phoenix Award winners -- Attorney General Holder, Congresswoman Brown, Mayor Gantt, and George Lucas. Thank you all for your outstanding contributions to our nation, and...