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President Barack Obama Tells Rutgers University Graduates That ‘Building Walls’ Around Mexico Won’t Keep The World Out

By Phyllis Asinyanbi
Published on: 14:55 PST, May 15, 2016

https://rumble.com/embed/vcdbl/

President Barack Obama delivered the keynote address to an enthusiastic crowd of graduates at Rutgers University 250th commencement ceremony in Brunswick, New Jersey, at High Point Solutions Stadium. In what some viewed as a reference to pending Republican Nominee, Donald Trump, Obama talked about the interconnectedness among nations and how shutting others out won’t help Americans.

The president commented on Trump’s views without evening mentioning his name, per NPR News.

“The world is more interconnected than ever before, and it’s becoming more connected every day. Building walls won’t change that. The point is: To help ourselves, we’ve got to help others, not pull up the drawbridge and try to keep the world out.”

Obama also told the Class of 2016 that “ignorance is not a virtue” and that telling people what they want to hear instead of conveying facts is problematic. Some have interpreted these comments as an indictment of Donald Trump’s message to his followers.

“Class of 2016, let me be as clear as I can be: In politics and in life, ignorance is not a virtue…. Facts, evidence, reason, logic, an understanding of science: These are good things. These are qualities you want in people making policy…. That might seem obvious…. We traditionally have valued those things, but if you’re listening to today’s political debate, you might wonder where this strain of anti-intellectualism came from.”

Another remark the president made in his speech was about isolating Muslims or creating laws against them entering the country, added NPR.

“That’s not just a betrayal of who we are. It would alienate the very communities at home and abroad who are our most important partners in the fight against violent extremism.”

On a lighter note, the president joked with the graduates about the unique Rutgers heritage and history, including sports and food, according to USA Today.

“I am here — off (New Jersey Turnpike) Exit 9, on the banks of the old Raritan,” Obama said. “At the site of one of the original nine Colonial colleges. Winners of the first ever college football game, one of the newest members of the Big Ten, home of what I understand to be a grease truck for a fat sandwich — mozzarella sticks and chicken fingers on your cheesesteaks. I’m sure Michelle (Obama) would approve. But somehow you have survived such death-defying acts.”

Before Barack Obama gave his speech an honorary Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him by Rutgers’ president, Robert Barchi. At Rutgers, the Board of Trustees must approve all honorary degrees. Other recipients this year was journalist Bill Moyers, who was also given a Doctor of Laws and S. Jocelyn Bell Burnell who received a Doctor of Science. She is a visiting physics whose role in radio astronomy development is well known. Obama pegged him and other honorees as “Scarlet Knights,” in reference to the university’s athletic teams.

President of the Student Assembly, Matthew R. Panconi, represented all the graduating students and spoke before Obama’s speech. Panconi talked about his fellow graduates and the lessons they have learned on “Integrity, inclusion, leadership, how to achieve excellence and how to be revolutionary.” He added, “We are ready.” The president complimented Panconi and also said, “If you are interested, we can talk afterwards.”

Students were honored that a sitting president gave the commencement address at their school, and despite having to arrive early due to increased traffic and security, it was viewed as a historic event. The event was part of Rutgers 250 which will culminate with a large celebration on November 10, the anniversary of the birth of Queens College in 1825, which later became known as Rutgers University.

[Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty]

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