The Voice - Student Newspaper

ASU denies Obama honorary degree for commencement speech

By Mary Allan
Reporter, The VOICE

Arizona State University (ASU) does not deserve the honor of having the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, speak at their commencement. For the officials not to confer an honorary degree on the President is an embarrassment. I wish he could gracefully back out, but of course he would not do that.

There are many excuses being offered as to why they are not honoring Obama. Each one more convoluted then the next. Of all the lame excuses and comments I have heard from the college is an apology from ASU President Michael Crow for the "confusion" about the situation. How condescending. I don't think anyone is confused. I think that you are sending a very clear message.

I think that racism is still alive and kicking in Arizona. This ASU Honorary Degree Committee sounds like a group of backward dinosaurs.

Obama has set a historical precedent by being elected the first African American President of the United States of America. The fact that this is not significant to ASU officials is very telling. Maybe it is significant to them, but not in a good way.

It harkens back to the very unfortunate period when Arizona state officials did not want to institute a Martin Luther King Day. Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) joined Jesse Helms of (R-North Carolina) in voting against the creation of a federal holiday to honor King. McCain later defended Arizona Republican Governor Evan Mecham's rescinding of the state holiday in honor of King created by his Democratic predecessor.

This decision is a slap in the face to the good people of Arizona who voted for Obama, not to mention the president. President Crow, I cannot believe you don't have the leverage or good sense to reverse this blunder; you are making us the laughing stock of the country.

Please send comments to mcallan@gccvoice.com