“You ain’t got to go home, but ummm…”
Graduates at Texas Southern University were not here for a commencement speech to be delivered by Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn. Cornyn had been scheduled to speak at Saturday’s ceremony, but a petition that was circulated on change.org caused the university to pause and abruptly cancel Cornyn’s appearance.
TSU officials obviously didn’t want another Betsy Devos and Bethune Cookman incident. The university gave no specific reason for issuing the rain check, but the petition was pretty clear on why Cornyn’s presence wasn’t wanted.
Via texastribune.org,
The petition said, ‘Having a politician such as him speak at our institution is an insult to the students, to TSU, and to all [historically black colleges and universities].’
Whoa. Also,
The petition cited Cornyn’s votes to confirm two of President Donald Trump’s cabinet appointees — Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. It also raised complaints about Cornyn’s support for voter ID laws and efforts to block funding for “sanctuary cities.”
“This is our graduation. We have the right to decide if we want to refuse to sit and listen to the words of a politician who chooses to use his political power in ways that continually harm marginalized and oppressed people,” the petition said.
The university didn’t specifically comment on those concerns. When asked whether the decision was in response to student opposition, a university spokesman responded that “it was done to ensure that our students and families enjoyed their special day.”
According to reports, Sen. Cornyn is under consideration by President Trump to replace James Comey as FBI director.
Well played, TSU. We see you.