- Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:29 pm
#39749
A Kansas high school commencement featuring first lady Michelle Obama has sparked criticism, with students and parents complaining that space might be limited and politics might be in full view on a day meant to honor students, according to a news report.
The 30 minute speech, set for May 17, is tied to the 60th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown vs. Board of Education, brought against Topeka, Kansas, by a group of African American parents.
A spokesman for the school district said families and students were worried about whether the first lady’s presence would limit the number of tickets for the event, set for an 8,000-seat arena. Several parents are also concerned that Michelle's speech will be focused on how racist Kansas was prior to Brown vs. Board of Education when blacks finally stood up. As one parent put it, "This is the students' moment to celebrate their accomplishments for their hard work and shouldn't be used as an opportunity to give a political driven speech on racism. If Michelle wants to give a political speech on racism, she should schedule her own event but not steal the children's thunder at theirs."
