Everyone in Charge at Bethune-Cookman Should Be Ashamed
– Let’s talk about what
happened at Bethune-Cookman. I was disgusted as soon as I found out that Betsy DeVos was going to
be the commencement speaker at Bethune-Cookman University this year. Bethune-Cookman is an HBCU
in Daytona Beach, Florida. Betsy DeVos is currently
Secretary of Education, and honestly, she is not equipped to be secretary of anything. She’s an embarrassment, even
for the Trump administration. Her invitation is infuriating
because we have to see white mediocrity everywhere. Why invite that celebration into a space committed
to black excellence? This is a woman who
bared made it through her confirmation hearing, and
if that weren’t bad enough, Betsy DeVos does not care about black folks or our education. Months ago, she released
this ridiculous statement on the supposed link between
HBCUs and school choice. Now, listen, I know that
don’t all do our reading and facts no longer
matter, but the foundations of the school choice movement
are blatantly racist, and HBCUs were created as a
response to structural racism. Those things are not the same. Why do we have to tell the
Secretary of Education that? Not to mention the fact
that her boss Donald Trump just had to walk back comments questioning the constitutionality of funding HBCUs. So how did this happen? I’ve seen folks say that
this is a political play, that it’s a move to secure
funding for the university. Maybe the administration
felt like they had no choice. Okay, cool, I get that. HBCUs are resource-strapped because of structural inequality. I’m not gonna pretend
like these things are easy and it’s all black and white. I even defended the HBCU presidents who went to the White House to pose for the photo op in the Oval Office. But then I saw clips from the graduation, and I got pissed all over again. (crowd boos) – One of the hallmarks of higher education and of democracy is the
ability to converse with and learn from those
with whom we disagree. (booing continues) – If this behavior continues, your degrees will be mailed to you. (booing continues) Choose. Choose which way you wanna go. – So what, graduated booed
Betsy DeVos during her speech. What did you expect? At one point, many graduates
got up, turned their backs to her, and raised their fists in the air. (crowd boos) (crowd begins cheering) – What’s the issue? That’s still better than she deserves. And for all those trying
to claim that this is just another example of students
being unwilling to engage with viewpoints they don’t agree with, okay, great defenders of the Constitution. Protest is protected speech. These kids are entitled to publicly object to views that threaten their wellbeing. They didn’t attack this
woman or threaten her. They booed. She’ll be fine. And what really got me is
Bethune-Cookman’s president Edison Jackson walking himself
up there to save Betsy DeVos, admonish graduates, and
threaten to mail their diplomas. Playing ball is one thing, but how cowardly and
disrespectful can you be? You mean to tell me
these kids did the work, made the grades, paid the money, you ruin their commencement
with this bogus speaker, and then you get up there to lecture them about appropriate behavior? Absolutely not. Black folks have to
surmount so many obstacles in order to obtain formal education. Graduations are a big deal
to us, and they should be. According to the latest census data, 22.5% of black people in the Untied States over the age of 25 have
an undergraduate degree. How dare you steal this moment from them? Black folks always have to be props in shallow political theater. You ruined what should have been one of the best days in these kids’ lives. For what, so Betsy DeVos can
get up there and poorly deliver some lines about how we
should all get along? Get out of here. Everyone in Bethune-Cookman
University’s administration should be ashamed. Like, apologize to those
kids and their families. You abdicated your responsibility to them. You embarrassed yourselves. You tarnished the name
of Mary McLeod Bethune. President Edison Jackson made
it clear where his loyalty lies, and it’s not with
current students or alumni. I didn’t go to an HBCU, so
there are certain conversations about them that I just do not get into. But I respect and admire
the outsize role they play in educating our people. We can’t afford to have
them going out like this. There’s always going to be a disconnect between young people and elders. It’s natural; we see it
all throughout history. But sometimes, you need to
just listen to the kids. Lead them, but listen. They’ll stop you from being
out here looking foolish. Hey guys, it’s Kim. This summer, I’m hosting
candid conversations with black women about black womanhood
all across the country. Every single day of #blackgirlsgather so far has been so much fun. If you’d like to join us to
possibly meet some new friends, have some passionate, fun,
sometimes controversial conversations, join us
at blackgirlsgather.net. See you there.
I was so proud of those graduates!!! Mail them damn degrees, thats fine they still spoke their minds!!
Yay! you're back! Okay, let me watch your vid now lol
Holy shit, I don't mean to derail with objectively unimportant shit but your lip color looks fucking amazing.
Also, it goes without saying that I have a parade of "fuck yes!" in my head listening to this.
"They booed…she'll be fine" 💀💀💀
I concur 💋💋 U GO KIMBERLY!! Yassss boo , preach!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽💄💄
Sis what about Philly ? You need to stop pass
Those young people made me so proud!
lipstick shade please
Thank you, Kimberly!
I think they should of just turned their backs. What a horrible memory to have of your graduation booing. One thing I like about her is the voucher and choice programs she offering to students . Some schools are in communities that don't embrace learning, and everyday your lucky if your kid comes home. Glad they have an option .
The part I least liked about the incident, aside from the president of the university chiding grown-ups like they were two-year-olds, was the fact that the university waited until the last possible minute to announce that Betsy Wetsy would be the speaker. They knew she was a controversial pick, and went with her anyway. The graduates started petitions, and they ignored them. What else did they expect to happen?
I'm so proud of those kids!!!!
N—–a please, you black folks dont care about black folks. You are the real racist. Get over yourself.
This seemed like bad politics. This is a Billionaire in power. I was unable to graduate college due to money issues and thing of my own doing, so to have the opportunity to graduate would give one a since off accomplishment (I can do anything). You aim set show her you power but with powerful people this bit of embarrassment may not be easily forgotten. This slight… Blacks have always dealt with people with different agenda before we always have, its nothing new. I'm just wondering if it was to much. But maybe this political statement may not have certain consequence.. Because people with money and power can be pity, only time will tell.
why should anybody care about what you're saying who are you in the scope of the world
Thank you! BCU (BCC) '92ALUM
This is #veryfakenews.
Spot on! I posted pretty much the same sentiments on my Facebook page a few days ago. Well said.
Yes girl, this was PERFECT!!
Someone needs to fire the 'uncle tom' president of the college! What an insult to invite her to begin with. smdh
Wonderful video. I would have done the same, so no I don't feel bad for Betsy. She'll live. Those kids will never get their undergrad graduation day back.
Thank you for this, Kimberly.
I teared up seeing the clip of them standing up. damn.
wow, you are brilliant, thank you for sharing your perspective.
Why?! Why?! Is all I want to know. Who thought this was a good idea? I would be so pissed if this was my graduation.
Interesting article @kimberlyfoster https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-outsiders-who-were-behind-the-booing-of-betsy-devos-at-bethune-cookman-1494976808?mod=e2tw
Amen sister, a-freakin-men on everything you said.
Very well said. Keep it up. Save our democracy.
Betsy Devon is a piece of foul shit …what an incredible thing to see all those students do that ….
Stop calling them kids. They are young adults. They were never kids anyway. Kids are billy goats
Nine thumbs down by people who are only just learning how to use their thumbs. Good on you Kimberly.
Fight Betsy DeVos. Call your congressmen!
Ahmen💭🤝!!!💣💣💥💣💣 beautiful post 🤗🎓🤗🎓🤗🎓🤗🙏✌
The students the right protest as anyone else in the USA. Bethune-Cookman graduates should be proud. Now back to the regular broadcasting of intolerance in the nation.
I just got my ENTIRE LIFE seeing those students turn their backs on her. I heard about it, being seeing it gave me chills.
QUESTION. ALTHOUGH I AGREE THAT COLLEGES ARE JUST MAINLY BUSINESSESS
HOWEVER WHATS WRONG IN SAYING THAT HBCU are pioneers to school choice.
THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLD ONLY UNDERSTANDS NEGATIVITY AND IS NOT WILLING TO LEARN THEMSELVES.
THE OTHER THING IS THAT IN LIFE THERE IS NO ENEMY OR ISSUE OUTSIDE OF US ANY ISSUE THAT EXIST IS FIRST SOLVED FROM THE INSIDE.
YES VOICE YOUR OPINION BUT REALIZE THAT HATE IN ANY FORM IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS. LOVE IS LAW
MLK WON BECAUSE HE HAD THE POWER OF LOVE BACKING HIM.
MAHATMA GHANDI DIED WITH THE SAME THING PROMOTING LOVE ACCEPTANCE UNDERSTANDING YET THE MAJORITY THANKS TO MEDIA LIES AND BS WORD OF MOUTH? THE MAJORITY JUST SEE FIGHTING AND HATE
i paused the video read the article myself and it seems shes not trying to promote any racism.
A PIONEER is someone who goes out into the world to create their own dreams. ALL OF US are pioneers. we all want to be the pioneers of our own life and dreams.
SO WHATS THE PROBLEM? Answer yourselves cause any answer to me doesn't matter at this point.
i loved your video about moonlight but i don't think you've researched enough what you're talking about. it sounds like an opinion from they says and he said and she saids.
And who are you again?
It's people like you that encourage behaviors like that.
curly fry head bitch ass
Please make more videos. I wish you had an even larger platform. You deserve it.
i hope all will vote next time and not stay home ….i am proud to see this kind of protest… .violence does not justify injustice
turning their should have on the six o clock news first story.
[email protected]@@!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FAMU would never!!!! 🤦🏾♀️ 🐍
I really admire black people because yall get so mad. like I fucking hate white people, we just sit and listen when something goes wrong and then complain about it afterwards because we can afford to. Yall take a stand because that's what you've been forced to do and I just wish I wasn't the only one putting up a fight when some bullshit like this happens because it's hard to be out here alone not taking the foolishness when everyone around you just sits through it and it makes it so refreshing to see these kids putting up a fight. Like get angry. why do we shame the angry black woman to the point where she's a stereotype other black women are trying to get away from, the angry black woman is one of the bravest things you can be.
How did I MISS this, Kim, thank you for keeping me abreast!