Recently, I posited that Sean Combs was likely the wrong choice to address the 2014 graduates of Howard University. Howard is very close to me in a number of ways. Although I did not attend Howard, most of my family are alumni. Both my parents and older sister call Howard their alma mater.
In my earlier piece which can be found HERE, I argued that ultimately, the content of Combs’ message on the day and his behavior going forward would greatly dictate whether his selection for appropriate or not. Here is the video. And just in case you have no desire to watch all 38 minutes of it, I’ll cut to the chase…
I was really, really right. Spot on if I must say. This was not Howard University’s finest moment in the least. It is the definition of selling out, foregoing one’s stated ideals and mission for the purpose of a check and publicity.
Mission accomplished Howard University, I’m sure all of my family is proud…
Or not.
One response to “Here’s P. Diddy’s Howard U. Commencement Address (VIDEO)”
I believe that as a rule commencement speakers should be college graduates so they can share with their audience a common bond. The fact that Sean Combs is standing there, a successful entrepreneur but a college dropout, speaking to college graduates about what they are about to face in the world contains its own irony, as if his very presence denigrates the fact they spent 4-plus years in school when they would have had a 50/50 shot at being successful without the degree they are receiving.