Illuminating the Darkness in the Age of Despair
Jul 4, 2017 In a U.K. commencement speech, the author urges grads to "confront the poisonous authoritarianism that is emerging in many countries today." (Pictured, an anti-Trump march in London.)
Politics
Dustin Lance Black Speaks: Pasadena City College Officials Created ‘Toxic and Dishonest’ Atmosphere
Apr 30, 2014 The president and board of trustees at Pasadena City College thrust their school into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons recently with a political and public relations debacle involving PCC alumnus and Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black.2014 National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Award: Online News
Michigan Law Grads Walk Out for Gay Rights
May 10, 2011 More than 100 graduates of the University of Michigan Law School left mid-ceremony Saturday to protest commencement speaker Sen. Rob Portman's position against gay marriage and adoption.
Obama Scores at Notre Dame
May 19, 2009 There were many messages sent from South Bend on Sunday. Obama's opponents seek to reignite the culture wars. He doesn't. They would reduce religious faith to a narrow set of issues. He refused to join them.
Obama Sparks Abortion Protests at Notre Dame
May 18, 2009 President Barack Obama attempted the impossible during his commencement speech at Notre Dame University in Indiana on Sunday: He asked those on both sides of the abortion debate to "join hands in common effort."
The Stakes at Notre Dame
May 8, 2009 You have heard the expression "more Catholic than the pope." We now know that the reaction of right-wing Catholics to Notre Dame's invitation to President Obama falls into this category.Boycotting Obama at Notre Dame Is Vulgar Zealotry
Apr 1, 2009 In respect to tradition, one would expect Obama to deliver Notre Dame's commencement address in May, but a crowd of Fighting Irish have decided to try to keep the new president away from the hallowed campus for fear that some of his thinking might rub off on them.The Corporate State and the Subversion of Democracy
May 31, 2008 Chris Hedges gave this keynote address on Wednesday, May 28, in Furman University's Younts Conference Center. The address was part of protests by faculty and students over the South Carolina college's decision to invite George W. Bush to give the May 31 commencement address.
Colbert to Grads: English Is God’s Language
Jun 5, 2006 As the commencement speaker for a small Illinois college, satirist Stephen Colbert told the graduates, ?God wrote [the Bible] in English for a reason: So it could be taught in our public schools.?