Silke Jasso
Students at the historically black Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona, Fla., protested as Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos gave the commencement address during their graduation ceremony. Students stood and turned their backs on her while attempting to drown her out with boos.
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The ladies of ABC’s “The View” reacted to the chaotic scene.
Whoopi Goldberg said that the students “did what you’re supposed to do” by protesting instead of trying to shut down her appearance beforehand. Goldberg, as well as the rest of the co-hosts, has previously stated her support for protesters voicing their disagreement instead of trying to cancel an event.
“You’re not supposed to say, ‘You can’t come,’ but you’re allowed to protest,” she said.
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“It read as disrespectful to me,” Jedediah Bila replied. Bila reminded the ladies that she argued against DeVos’ confirmation, but said that the way the students went about protesting was “rude.”
“It’s your right, though,” Sunny Hostin added, referencing the First Amendment right to free speech.
Joy Behar said that the students turning their backs to DeVos was “perfectly legitimate” but that the shouting drowned her out.
“I didn’t need the booing,” she said. “The booing defeats the purpose of hearing the crazy stuff she’s going to come out with.”
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Sarah Haines agreed with Behar for the sake of the family and friends who attended just to see their children graduate. Haines also quoted a tweet from Dr. Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund:
I believe we should hear Secretary DeVos at @bethunecookman, just as we want her and President Trump to hear the voices of #HBCUs. @usedgov
— Dr. Michael Lomax (@DrMichaelLomax) May 2, 2017
Goldberg said that the administration hadn’t listened to students at HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities), which is why they booed in the first place. She reminded the ladies that DeVos once said that HBCUs were among the first examples of school choice in America, though many of them came about in response to segregation.
Hostin said that her invitation was a “slap in the face.” The ladies also agreed that the invitation was a poor choice.
