By OBERT MADONDO
This week, Arizona State University (ASU) stiffed President Obama, claiming he was too inexperienced for honorary degree, according to this Huffington Post report.
An honorary degree is a decoration for exemplary global citizenship and tribute to a great accomplishment. Arizona State University is playing "high politics" tinged with racism and ignorance. The univerisity is trying to belittle President Obama.
Its all futile. This American President is different. To millions around the world, he is the embodiment of hope. He makes all races feel good about themselves. In him, the youth of the world now finds the inspiration to pursue change.
During his recent trip overseas, Mr. Obama gave the world a starkly different America: proud but flawed; humble; willing to listen, reach out, consult; and ready to partner around the global economy, climate change and nuclear proliferation. Obama's US is a good global citizen.
But ASU has also betrayed a double standard most universities are notorious for. The case of Zimbabwe leader, Robert Mugabe, and two prominent US universities, Michigan State and the University of Massachusetts, for example.
From 1980 to 1990, Mugabe butchered more than 10 000 innocent supporters of political rivals. Mass disappearances, beatings and rape abound. Hundreds were burned alive, shot in public executions or forced to dig their own graves in front of family members.
In 1986, the University of Massachusetts awarded Mugabe an honorary doctorate of law degree. Other recipients include Nobel laureates Toni Morrison and Nelson Mandela. At Michigan Mugabe joins Bill Clinton. The University honored Mugabe with an honorary doctorate of laws in 1990, the same year his supporters killed five opposition electoral candidates.
Its all futile. This American President is different. To millions around the world, he is the embodiment of hope. He makes all races feel good about themselves. In him, the youth of the world now finds the inspiration to pursue change.
During his recent trip overseas, Mr. Obama gave the world a starkly different America: proud but flawed; humble; willing to listen, reach out, consult; and ready to partner around the global economy, climate change and nuclear proliferation. Obama's US is a good global citizen.
But ASU has also betrayed a double standard most universities are notorious for. The case of Zimbabwe leader, Robert Mugabe, and two prominent US universities, Michigan State and the University of Massachusetts, for example.
From 1980 to 1990, Mugabe butchered more than 10 000 innocent supporters of political rivals. Mass disappearances, beatings and rape abound. Hundreds were burned alive, shot in public executions or forced to dig their own graves in front of family members.
In 1986, the University of Massachusetts awarded Mugabe an honorary doctorate of law degree. Other recipients include Nobel laureates Toni Morrison and Nelson Mandela. At Michigan Mugabe joins Bill Clinton. The University honored Mugabe with an honorary doctorate of laws in 1990, the same year his supporters killed five opposition electoral candidates.
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