For Northwestern: Wright is wrong but Jerry's not so scary
GRADUATION CEREMONY | Invitation revoked to avoid 'controversy'
Northwestern University, which plans to have alum Jerry Springer give its law school commencement address, yanked its offer to award an honorary doctoral degree to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright at the school's main graduation ceremony next month.
(AP files)
The controversy surrounding Barack Obama's former pastor proved too much for the school to stomach, and it rescinded its commencement invite and the degree -- apparently for the first time in school history.
"It does not appear that this has occurred previously," Northwestern spokesman Alan K. Cubbage said Thursday.
So it will be Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Jer-ry! But no Wright.
"That's definitely bizarre," said Northwestern freshman T.J. Spalty, a history major from Kansas City, Mo. "Just because one makes a spectacle of it on television and the other espouses his beliefs in a church setting doesn't mean they should be put on a different playing field."
Wright was selected for his degree by a faculty committee. He was not scheduled to address the crowd. A student group with school approval picked Springer to speak. Some students have objected to the selection of Springer, who runs a trashy TV show and had to resign from the Cincinnati City Council in 1974 after getting caught writing a personal check to a prostitute.
Cubbage declined to comment on the Springer-Wright contrast, and let a statement he issued speak for the Wright move.
"Commencement at Northwestern is a time of celebration of the accomplishments of Northwestern's graduating students and their families," the statement read. "In light of the controversy around Dr. Wright and to ensure that the celebratory character of commencement not be affected, the university has withdrawn its invitation to Wright."
Wright has come under intense criticism after clips of past sermons were circulated on the Internet, including him yelling, "God damn America!" and blaming the government for spreading the virus that leads to AIDS.
Obama, a longtime member of Wright's church, first tried to distance himself from Wright's controversial words. But after Wright went on the speaking circuit and continued to make controversial comments, Obama lashed out at the man who married him and baptized his two daughters, saying his comments were "divisive and destructive."
Wright could not be reached for comment Thursday. Earlier this week, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram quoted him saying that NU President Henry Bienen told him he canceled the honorary degree of doctor of sacred theology "because I was not patriotic."
Cubbage said if that quote is accurate, Wright's wrong.
"In his conversation and correspondence with Dr. Wright in March, President Bienen never characterized Dr. Wright's views or made a judgment about them," Cubbage said.
Rev. Wright at National Press Club 2:
Rev. Wright's sermon:
Jerry Springer Show 2:
Jerry Springer Show 3: