Appalling graduation practices

Separating graduating classes based on race disturbing

By Tory Wilkerson , Student

After reading Rodney Woodson’s “Shameful Society Focused On Race” that was published in The Advocate on Oct. 1 I strongly agree with his point of view.

From personal experience, I agree with the part when he addressed black graduation ceremonies.

I remember as a kid when my brother came to CCC and was part of the African-American graduation. I felt appalled. To me, having a separate ceremony says that black people are not considered American.

Hell, it felt as if we are still thought of as being only three-fifths of a person. As I thought about it more, a black graduation also sounds as it is trying to glorify a race for its accomplishments.

I do not want that. I want us, of all ethnicities, to graduate in the same ceremony.

I don’t want to be part of any ceremony that only glorifies one race. I want it to glorify what we have all accomplished together.

I want it to be more of a preparation for us all to get ready for the next college and step in our lives.