Michelle Obama on Friday urged black youth to stay in school instead of dropping out to become a "baller or a rapper."
The first lady, speaking to graduates at Bowie State University, a historically black college, criticized the worship of sports stars and celebrities.
"Today, instead of walking miles every day to school, they’re sitting on couches for hours playing video games, watching TV," she said of black youth. "Instead of dreaming of being a teacher or a lawyer or a business leader, they’re fantasizing about being a baller or a rapper."
She went on to point out the high dropout rate for black students.
"Right now, one in three African-American students are dropping out of high school. Only one in five African-Americans between the ages of 25 and 29 has gotten a college degree — one in five," she said.
The first lady also encouraged parents to turn off the TV and take away video games.
"Take a stand against the media that elevates today’s celebrity gossip instead of the serious issues of our time. Take a stand against the culture that glorifies instant gratification instead of hard work and lasting success," she said.
Obama was giving her second commencement address of the graduation season. She spoke to students at Eastern Kentucky University earlier this month and will address graduates Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School in Nashville, Tenn., on May 18.
http://thehill.com/capital-living/300465-michelle-obama-criticizes-the-worship-of-celebrities-sports-stars
The first lady, speaking to graduates at Bowie State University, a historically black college, criticized the worship of sports stars and celebrities.
"Today, instead of walking miles every day to school, they’re sitting on couches for hours playing video games, watching TV," she said of black youth. "Instead of dreaming of being a teacher or a lawyer or a business leader, they’re fantasizing about being a baller or a rapper."
She went on to point out the high dropout rate for black students.
"Right now, one in three African-American students are dropping out of high school. Only one in five African-Americans between the ages of 25 and 29 has gotten a college degree — one in five," she said.
The first lady also encouraged parents to turn off the TV and take away video games.
"Take a stand against the media that elevates today’s celebrity gossip instead of the serious issues of our time. Take a stand against the culture that glorifies instant gratification instead of hard work and lasting success," she said.
Obama was giving her second commencement address of the graduation season. She spoke to students at Eastern Kentucky University earlier this month and will address graduates Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School in Nashville, Tenn., on May 18.
http://thehill.com/capital-living/300465-michelle-obama-criticizes-the-worship-of-celebrities-sports-stars
