calixprynce
...
http://www.theroot.com/blogs/the_gr...ommencement_speech_because_of_a_song_for.html
It doesn’t matter to New Jersey’s Kean University that Common just took home an Oscar for his song “Glory” that appeared on Selma. What matters to the university is that in Common’s discography is a song that shows his support for Assata Shakur, which has led the university to cancel his commencement address.
Common, who recently said black people should show a hand in love to white people when it comes to racism, was schedule to give Kean’s commencement address next month, that was until someone came across his song “A Song For Assata”. On Monday, the university announced that Common had been selected but by Tuesday, they axed him.
Susan Kayne, a university spokesman, told The Record that the announcement was made prematurely.
"The students expressed interest in Common because he composed the Oscar-winning song `Glory' with our prior commencement speaker John Legend," Kayne said. "While we respect his talent, Kean is pursuing other speaker options."
Apparently New Jersey State Police took issue with Common’s old song because of Shakur’s alleged killing of a New Jersey State Trooper.
Chris Burgos, president of the State Troopers Fraternal Association of New Jersey, said having Common speak at the university would be "slap in the face."
"What is troubling here is that a state university that is subsidized with state taxpayer funds, is once again being questioned on their decision-making at the highest levels," Burgos said according to The Record.
Good for him. Maybe he should extend another hand
It doesn’t matter to New Jersey’s Kean University that Common just took home an Oscar for his song “Glory” that appeared on Selma. What matters to the university is that in Common’s discography is a song that shows his support for Assata Shakur, which has led the university to cancel his commencement address.
Common, who recently said black people should show a hand in love to white people when it comes to racism, was schedule to give Kean’s commencement address next month, that was until someone came across his song “A Song For Assata”. On Monday, the university announced that Common had been selected but by Tuesday, they axed him.
Susan Kayne, a university spokesman, told The Record that the announcement was made prematurely.
"The students expressed interest in Common because he composed the Oscar-winning song `Glory' with our prior commencement speaker John Legend," Kayne said. "While we respect his talent, Kean is pursuing other speaker options."
Apparently New Jersey State Police took issue with Common’s old song because of Shakur’s alleged killing of a New Jersey State Trooper.
Chris Burgos, president of the State Troopers Fraternal Association of New Jersey, said having Common speak at the university would be "slap in the face."
"What is troubling here is that a state university that is subsidized with state taxpayer funds, is once again being questioned on their decision-making at the highest levels," Burgos said according to The Record.
Good for him. Maybe he should extend another hand
Last edited:
