John Legend surprises class with lesson on race, education
September 15th, 2010 | by Elijah Bassett |He warned against the “soft bigotry of low expectations,” decried high dropout rates at schools in black and Latino neighborhoods, and, responding to one question, suggested that merit-based admission programs can perpetuate inequities.
“(You can’t) break that cycle of poverty if you only educate the ones who have been best-educated already,” he said. “I think you can have a better education no matter who you are.”
Carr called the session “a candid exchange between a group of black students and a performer with a global profile who also shares their experience.”
Students said Legend’s appearance was a great way to start the day.
“What he said is extremely key,” sophomore marketing major Stephen Baiyewu, 19, said after class. “John Legend is one of the most respected African-American R&B artists.”
And here are two of many tweets that circulated throughout the morning:
• @ATLsBishopCrazy day, MTVU in the classroom, John Legend teaching…cant ask for much more.
•@johnlegend: Had a great time @ Howard. Thanks to Prof Carr and his students. Great discussion. And yes they were surprised.
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