[klg14]

North Carolina A&T is bringing Hollywood star power to their Spring Commencement ceremony...
https://hbcupulse.com/2023/03/14/actor-morris-chestnut-to-be-spring-commencement-speaker-at-north-carolina-at-state-university/

[Strike79]

.....Morris Chestnut is "Hollywood star power"?  And he has something to tell the grads at A&T about WHAT?  No disrespect to Mr. Chestnut, and I have seen several movies in which he acted, but what would be the VALUE of having someone like this as the commencement speaker?  He has an aspiring, uplifting story to tell about WHAT, exactly? 

[j1908]

^^^LOL. I agree Strike.

[Capler]

I wonder about that also Strike. I googled him to see if there was something i am missing. What is his cause, his purpose, what does he represent other than being an actor? I mean he could be a great speaker for the theater dept. Typically when you invite a performer to such an event, the focus is on their philanthropy. 

[cee dog]

Who's to say he can't tell these kids anything? Seriously. Yall do to much for me. Whew lawd! Take the wheel! Lat I checked he's a successful black man educated one at that who works and lives in a racist country that treats him no different from the average black man on the block. Everyone has a story to tell even the wino on the corner.

[Capler]

Who's to say he can't tell these kids anything? Seriously. Yall do to much for me. Whew lawd! Take the wheel! Lat I checked he's a successful black man educated one at that who works and lives in a racist country that treats him no different from the average black man on the block. Everyone has a story to tell even the wino on the corner.

In other words they could have invited you as commencement speaker. You're educated,  successful, black, and live in a racist country. You live in the same low bar country that elected Donald Trump president. I thinking that is what you're saying right? Be damned for trying to aspire for the best of the best.

[TSU/BAMA]

I have noticed a lot of hypocrisy in this thread.

[FunCkMaster]

Ehhhhhh.

You never know, that man could knock this commencement address right out of the park. I guess y'all would rather see a politician (of either side) go up there and rattle off a bunch of noise.

From what I know, Chestnut has never really been in trouble with the law, has had a solid, long-lasting career, has gone to college (not sure if he finished or not) and is a black man speaking to mostly black graduates. I personally would judge his appearance after the speech to see if he was worth it. 

NCAT could have done worse. I guess we'll know for sure in a couple of months.

[Capler]

Ehhhhhh.

You never know, that man could knock this commencement address right out of the park. I guess y'all would rather see a politician (of either side) go up there and rattle off a bunch of noise.

From what I know, Chestnut has never really been in trouble with the law, has had a solid, long-lasting career, has gone to college (not sure if he finished or not) and is a black man speaking to mostly black graduates. I personally would judge his appearance after the speech to see if he was worth it. 

NCAT could have done worse. I guess we'll know for sure in a couple of months.

This has nothing to do with Chestnut or his race. He could be a great guy and a great speaker. We are talking about an academic institution's degree conferment ceremony. I get it if he donated money to the college, (and who knows, he might make that announcement while on campus  ). In that case his money helps to further the school's academic mission. Colleges typically invite accomplished alum, successful people for their philanthropy or donations.

Why do HBCUs  invite speakers and award honorary degrees to people based on popularity? IMO that's lowballing. Melinda Gates should be the speaker if they can get her to do it. If I said Will and Jada Smith would be more appropriate, black folk would have a damn hissy fit because of the slap and the hatred for Jada and her 'situation.
But instead we have an actor at A&T, who will probably fill up the coliseum with people trying to see him up close. Yeah, that is what the administration wants, people crashing the stage getting their programs autographed. 

[cee dog]

You proved my point. They should've put a picture of White Jesus and you country ninjas would've been applauding.   

Who's to say he can't tell these kids anything? Seriously. Yall do to much for me. Whew lawd! Take the wheel! Lat I checked he's a successful black man educated one at that who works and lives in a racist country that treats him no different from the average black man on the block. Everyone has a story to tell even the wino on the corner.

In other words they could have invited you as commencement speaker. You're educated,  successful, black, and live in a racist country. You live in the same low bar country that elected Donald Trump president. I thinking that is what you're saying right? Be damned for trying to aspire for the best of the best.

[CIAA-FAN]

I HAVE NEVER TAKEN COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS OR SPEECHES TOO SERIOUSLY.  CAN ANYONE REMEMBER WHO OR WHAT THE TOPIC WAS AT THEIR HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT SPEECHES?  IN HIGH SCHOOL I WAS TOO ANXIOUS FOR THE PARTIES THAT NIGHT AND IN COLLEGE I WAS READY TO GET ON WITH MY LIFE AND FINALLY GET COMPLETELY OFF MY PARENTS "DIME" TO LISTEN SERIOUSLY TO A SPEECH.

[Capler]

You proved my point. They should've put a picture of White Jesus and you country ninjas would've been applauding.   

Who's to say he can't tell these kids anything? Seriously. Yall do to much for me. Whew lawd! Take the wheel! Lat I checked he's a successful black man educated one at that who works and lives in a racist country that treats him no different from the average black man on the block. Everyone has a story to tell even the wino on the corner.

In other words they could have invited you as commencement speaker. You're educated,  successful, black, and live in a racist country. You live in the same low bar country that elected Donald Trump president. I thinking that is what you're saying right? Be damned for trying to aspire for the best of the best.

Well at least white Jesus looks like he put in the hard work. He has on a crown of thorn and blood dripping down his face, hands and feet.  Good looking, flee market Black Jesus is just sitting there posing with neatly rolled dreads, flexing his perfect pecs, with a goofy smile on his face. 

[Capler]

I HAVE NEVER TAKEN COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS OR SPEECHES TOO SERIOUSLY.  CAN ANYONE REMEMBER WHO OR WHAT THE TOPIC WAS AT THEIR HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT SPEECHES?  IN HIGH SCHOOL I WAS TOO ANXIOUS FOR THE PARTIES THAT NIGHT AND IN COLLEGE I WAS READY TO GET ON WITH MY LIFE AND FINALLY GET COMPLETELY OFF MY PARENTS "DIME" TO LISTEN SERIOUSLY TO A SPEECH.

That's the point, you never want your speaker to overshadow your graduates.

[Blue N Gold]

All Morris has to do is tell his story of the difficulties he faced while pursuing his dream.

[Que82]

All Morris has to do is tell his story of the difficulties he faced while pursuing his dream.

Or he can tell them how as a teen father he was recruited to play college football but got gunned down in an alley on his way back from the store.