Former President Barack Obama delivered the first of two commencement addresses earlier Saturday. Earlier Saturday he delivered a virtual commencement address to HBCU graduates (historically black colleges and universities). He told the students, “you are all role models now whether you like it or not… you’re the folks we’ve been waiting for to come along, that’s the power you hold, the power to shine brightly for justice, equality and for joy.”
And he made this comment about how the Trump administration is dealing with the coronavirus crisis.
“More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing, A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge. If the world’s going to get better, it’s going to be up to you.”
Since leaving office three years ago, Mr. Obama generally has avoided publicly criticizing Mr. Trump. But his jabs at the pandemic response could further inflame tensions between the two most recent occupants of the White House.
Obama also talked about how coronavirus has disproportionately impacted the black community and referenced the deadly shooting of Ahmaud Arbery.
“A disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country. We see it in the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on our communities… Just as we see it when a black man goes for a jog and some folks feel like they can stop and question and shoot him if he doesn’t submit to their questioning. Injustice like this isn’t new.”
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Obama is also headlined a commencement event for high school seniors Saturday night. Graduate Together: America Honors the Class of 2020 aired all four broadcast networks.
