NYC Mayor Uses Grad Speech To Convey The Utter Lameness Of Amendment One

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was invited to give a commencement speech at the University of North Carolina on Mother’s Day. And aside from imparting typical graduation wisdom of “teamwork,” “assist others,” and take “risks,” Bloomberg also spoke frankly about the repercussions of North Carolina’s anti-children Amendment One — banning civil unions and domestic partnerships for gay and straight families. A bold move in many ways to speak to young people so candidly about devastating and recently voted legislation in their very own state.

Speaking before 5,700 graduates in admittedly liberal Chapel Hill, but a total of 32,000 individuals including family members, Bloomberg said:

The referendum showed “just how much more work needs to be done to ensure freedom and equality for all people,” he said.

“I have no doubt that in your lifetime, liberty’s light will allow us to see more clearly the truth of our nation’s founding principles, and allow us to see all people, and all couples, as full and equal members of the American family,” Bloomberg told the graduates.

He reportedly also pulled the “wrong side of history” line as well, the crowd responding with a “roar of applause.”

While his speech seems to have traveled the common graduation terrain what with “Education is a lifelong journey” and some tidbits about  the importance of technology, the aside for something truly contemporary — that erodes rights for so many children and parents — speaks louder than any career advice. The few comments leave UNC graduates with a true dilemma to ponder, a question of equality that will hopefully linger longer than those graduation festivities.

(photo: the-american-catholic.com)