"Somebody's not teaching. Somebody's tired. Somebody's giving
up. People say, 'God will find a way.' " Cosby said.
"God can't find a way if you're in the way."
He said this generation might set the record for the youngest
grandmother, a "26-year-old grandmother who can't cook a
pie," Cosby said to laughter.
He asked the graduates to seek an elder after the ceremony and
ask them about growing up during times when getting a college
degree was extremely rare and difficult.
Throughout history, black leaders were "willing to give
up their lives to learn to read and write," Cosby said.
"You've got to understand the power of this education,"
he said.
Cosby said he sent his son to Morehouse College in Atlanta, a
historically black school like HU, because he knew his son would
have friends all around the country after that, and they could
change the world together.
The first step for the graduates is to get a job and start working
for change, he said.
The actor softened his words at the end, telling graduates that
he loved them and wanted them to raise children who would also
challenge wrongs and strive for better education in their communities.
"Where you stand today, it's just like you've been baptized,"
Cosby said.
"Today is a wonderful day. It's the rest of your life, and
it's a beautiful life.
"I just want you to be strong."
Proud mothers and fathers applauded Cosby's speech as they cheered
on their own graduates.
An enthusiastic audience often drowned out Cosby and other speakers.
Camps of 20 family members who traveled from other states were
common Sunday, all carrying loads of flowers and balloons.
"This is the best gift," said Denys Davis, an HU alum
and mother of Ahmad Davis, a mass communications graduate.
"Education is a gift, and having your child graduate on
Mother's Day is like everything you taught him all those years
given back to you in one day."
Her son was one of about 80 students in the first graduating
class of the university's newest school, the Scripps Howard School
of Journalism and Communications.
Cosby received an honorary degree. HU President William R. Harvey
also received an honorary degree for leading the university for
25 years; his wife, Norma Baker Harvey, received one for her role
as the president's wife.
"The world is moving so fast," said Harvey, who begins
a one-year sabbatical from HU shortly. "These are days when
a person who says it cannot be done is interrupted by someone
doing it."
As parting advice, he gave students four tasks: to save money,
purchase property, fight racism and drugs, and to support their
alma mater.
"Be somebody," Harvey said.
"The world is waiting for you. Serve it and Hampton well.
"Now let's get on with it."
Elena Gaona can be reached at 247-7420 or by e-mail at egaona@dailypress.com
Copyright © 2003, Daily Press
