With major events being canceled around the country as the coronavirus pandemic persists, a Los Angeles high school senior is gaining mass support after asking Barack Obama via Twitter to deliver a virtual commencement address for the class of 2020.
According to CNN, Eagle Rock High School senior Lincoln Debenham posted a tweet Tuesday pleading with Obama to deliver a national commencement speech online to replace the thousands of speeches that would've been given at senior graduations nationwide.
Debenham asked that Obama use his assuring voice to comfort the many students left disheartened by the changes made to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19.
“Hi @BarackObama! Like most high school/college seniors, I’m saddened by the loss of milestone events, prom & graduation. In an unprecedented time, it would give us great comfort to hear your voice," he wrote. "We ask you to consider giving a national commencement speech to the class of 2020.”
Hi @BarackObama! Like most high school/college seniors, I’m saddened by the loss of milestone events, prom & graduation. In an unprecedented time, it would give us great comfort to hear your voice. We ask you to consider giving a national commencement speech to the class of 2020.
— Lincoln (@lincolnjackd) April 15, 2020
Debenham then asked that folks share the hashtag #ObamaCommencement2020. Folks followed through on the ask while co-signing the initial tweet.
As a high school administrator with coordinating graduation as one of my duties, I feel the burden of more than 200 students on top of my very own daughter’s loss of Spelman graduation participation. Having Obama as a virtual national speaker would be absolutely amazing.
— shicamack (@IfIOfndDntStare) April 15, 2020
Brilliant idea. Please everyone retweet this. maybe we can get him to do it. We all need to hear some hopeful words again, now more than ever.
— Rod Jones (@Roadwalt) April 15, 2020
Hell – I graduated decades ago…and I would listen to this Commencement Speach in a minute.
— Jonathan Gaffney (@JGaffneyUSN) April 16, 2020
I love this. Hi @BarackObama, my daughter is a graduating Senior. She was a 9/11 baby. It breaks my heart that she doesn't get prom, her Senior trip to Disney, or the prideful walk across the stage. She has a 3.8 GPA and she's on the Dean's list. ❤️ #ObamaCommencement2020
pic.twitter.com/mjjSrCosQb— Nichola Blair #DemCast FL ???????? (@ToriRob11) April 16, 2020
This would be great, fantastic, phenomenal!! OMG!! Please do it @BarackObama
— Dr. Valtreasa Cook (@DrVDTCook) April 16, 2020
Debenham told CNN that he came up with the idea with his older brother Eli after Obama endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination on Tuesday. Following the video were countless sentiments from people who missed his poise, intellect and mere presence, as Blavity previously reported. But Debenham said he realizes the scope of priorities given the pandemic.
"We all at some point felt bad about feeling bad about missing graduation,” Debenham said. "People are dying, people are getting really sick, losing their jobs. I think a lot of us realized it's OK to feel bad as long as you don't minimize the struggles of others."
Obama gave several commencement addresses while in office, with his most memorable being his speech to Howard University's class of 2016. He hasn't done any speeches since the end of his presidency so to say it's overdue would be an understatement. Obama’s spokesperson Katie Hill said their team was aware of Debenham’s tweets and are "very flattered" but declined any additional comments, per CNN.
HBCUs are facing many challenges managing coronavirus responses and need your support. Donate to the UNCF fund today to help students impacted by the pandemic.
