A graduation is a right of passage into adulthood. It's a serious occasion! The commencement address is one of the most important parts of the ceremony, second to getting handed that empty folder with the promise the real one is in the mail!
Matt Damon delivered a commencement speech at prestigious MIT over the weekend and instead of commending the graduates on their hard work and fortitude, he took the time to bash Trump. Obviously, he disrespected the graduates because he was more interested in his own politics than their accomplishments for which the graduation was supposed to be celebrating!
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| Matt Damon at MIT |
Going to graduation with your family and friends, only to be met with the most negative commencement speeches, preaching doom and gloom. If I were a parent or a graduate, I would get up and walk out. Screw that, as I didn't work my rear off for months (if not years) to get that black gown and stupid ill-fitting square hat. That's a moment to HONOR the students not pontificate about some ideological disagreement.
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| Hanoi Jane |
I find it hard to believe, after she was blacklisted by many producers who saw her as 'box office poison,' these celebrities' managers don't warn them that these rants about dangerous subjects like religion and politics, could present the kiss of death to a career. And certainly at a graduation - a somber but celebratory event, it should be forbidden.
A graduation is for the graduates and the people who supported that graduate - not a time for personal politics by celebrities or politicians. Colleges need to start taking that into account before inviting people to give a most important speech, designed to celebrate success not damn it!
How say you...
I'm so glad someone's saying something about this! There's a time & place for political views. These aren't political events! I totally agree; it is nothing but self-serving atrocious behaviour. Don't even get me started on Moochelle & hubby: can't leave fast enough. IMO, if you're bashing Trump, you obviously want a career criminal (Hilary) in charge of our country.
ReplyDeleteThe demented left just finishing up with the brain washing and indoctrination of our youth. Makes my sick. Keep going in this direction and we will end up like the other failed social states. We need to start shutting down these fools. I don't listen to many singers or watch movies with the really outspoken loose cannons. If we all ignore the Penns, Glovers, Clooneys they will eventually go away or shut up! I don't care about their opinion and I do not pay to hear them spew their garbage.
ReplyDeleteThank you 9:14AM. I just am tired of people basically disrespecting graduates and their parents during their commencement address. The commencement ceremony and speeches are supposed to create a memorable experience. Not all people in this country are Liberal (obviously) so to use that podium to spew hate speech about a presidential candidate or some political view is just plain out unacceptable behavior. It should not be allowed. Colleges and Universities have placated this political BS for far too long and it's time it stop. Parents of BOTH parties pay for their children's education. It's time to stop this degradation and alienation of half the audiences at these ceremonies. The speeches are meant to encourage, congratulate and inspire not damn people.
ReplyDelete9:14 and 9:46:
ReplyDeleteNothing will change and if it does, for the worse, nothing ever gets better around america anymore... people are to scared to stand up and say whats on their minds or to stand up and fight for what is right or wrong... These people won't even stand up for their own self, so what makes any of you think they will stand up for their kids or someone else kids? People are self centered these days and no one care about anything unless it directly affects them, which by then it is too late to fix or help... then they run their mouth about where were you, or how come you didn't help their lazy ass...
It's particular disturbing that someone like Damon were to do this because he depends on people of all walks of life to go see his movies. I remember when people started boycotting Jane and it was ugly. Can't understand why those Hollyweird folks don't seem to grasp the simple cause and effect that occurs when they run off at the mouth in general. Even the Dixie Chicks had a horrible time after vilifying Bush. Do they not understand they're biting the hand that feeds them?
ReplyDeleteConsidering he's a college drop out, does he really value the college experience or know what it means to push through and get to graduation day? No. So why ask him to speak at a commencement for any college much less MIT, why? Sure he's made a name for himself but he hardly has any idea what people go through to achieve a degree. It's a pressure cooker especially at a place so dedicated to academic excellence like MIT.
ReplyDeleteOh... the absolutely jaw dropping stunning irony.
ReplyDeleteReplace "politics" with "religion" and re-read the article. Then come back here and rail about inappropriate messages that have nothing to do with a graduation celebration.
I don't think I can face palm hard enough to express the hypocrisy on display.
After reading in this essay "Michelle bashed America during her speech. What does that say to the people who have worked hard to get through college? Does that really celebrate their hard earned success?" I was motivated to listen to Michelle Obama's speech in total. I did not hear her bash America but she did say there were certain people who make assumptions based on their limited notions of who we are.
ReplyDeleteWe can apply that statement to just black American young and old or we can apply it to all the young people graduating. I have certainly heard enough self-serving old people here talking badly about America's youth.
I think we would be best served by broadening our notions. I know whenever I do that I have new enlightenment and new perspectives about which to think.