The selection process for Pasadena City College’s 2014 commencement speaker has been a disaster of epic proportions, but has now officially come to an end as Dustin Lance Black has accepted their re-invitation to deliver the speech.
Black was initially disinvited from giving the speech due to PCC President Mark Rocha’s skittishness over the years-old scandal involving the Oscar-winner’s leaked sex pics.
PCC officials were then accused of placing the blame over the whole situation on a student leader, and had to deal with Black’s replacement suddenly pulling out after he was revealed to be a certifiable nutjob with a history of offensive commentary about trans people among others.
So, yeah, things got quite a bit messy for a moment there. Luckily, Rocha and Black are being more West Wing than Melrose Place about the situation and putting the focus squarely back on the students of PCC.
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After Rocha called Black personally to extend the invitation, Black provided a sound and mature statement:
“It’s time to move forward and put the focus where it should be—on the students. I look forward to the honor of returning to PCC to support the 2014 graduates of Pasadena City College.”
Not to be outdone, Rocha followed with some warm words for Black, thereby closing this drama-filled chapter of their relationship for good:
“All of us at PCC are so proud of Mr. Black and are delighted he is returning to his alma mater. Mr. Black’s career represents a rare blend of public leadership and creativity. Additionally, He has generously committed his attention and resources to fighting for LGBTQ equality, the arts, and—not least of all—education.”
While the drama-loving devil on our right shoulder was definitely hoping for just a bit more mess and maybe some hair-pulling, it’s great to see the two sides acting like mature adults and coming together for the students.
Well played, gents.
SteveDenver
Black is talented, smart, passionate and accomplished. PCC is lucky he’s also gracious.
Cam
He handled this in a very mature fashion. More so than the school deserved. I’m impressed.
hotboyvb81
because, as we know, it’s all about him…Condeleeza Rice dropped out of speaking at Rutgers because of protests, saying- she didn’t want to take anything away from the grads- it’s their day…Pasadena’s grad will be all about Black.
hotboyvb81
and before you start- quacka, MrZ, capsule, drpyro- and all your other aliases can bite me 🙂
Mr. Z
The difference between DLB and Condoleezza Rice is that the students at PCC organized petitions, wrote emails, and found the Dr. Walsh sermons all to get DLB back as their commencement speaker. At Rutgers, the students didn’t want to touch Rice with a 10 foot pole. That’s the difference. Black was wanted by the students and they worked hard to get him while the students absolutely did not want Rice at Rutgers. That’s the difference.
hotboyvb81
you win- I conceed, cancelling membership here/etc- Zoloft is in the trash, I’ve given up- on everything! Congratulations.
Billy Budd
I hope many of the overage students will give DLB free BJs after the ceremony. I hope he films it and puts it on xtube. That will teach the shool a lesson.
odawg
Yawn!
CWfan
Doug
I think you need to seek professional help – I urge and hope that you will do so.
Goodbye
CortlandWoodardfan
hotboyvb81
it’s far too late for that- I’m truly done, Lance….you should have stuck to 2-3 line qupis, your 500 word bitch slapping on the other page finally made it click for me….who else would care so much, who else would know freinds and family had been contacted, who esle has that hammy, trite writing style, who else had lawyers contat me….well, don’t bother replying- I’ll be gone before you try.
hotboyvb81
wow- you created an entire account just to hound me and hunt me down- I think we both need psych help- hopefully I dead before too long, so it won’t matter- BYE!