Trump should not speak at University of Alabama commencement ceremonies

No time for snail mail this time, as there may still be some hope to register enough immediate discontent.

Emailed this morning:

Dear President Bell and Provost’s Office representatives,

I am writing to express my deep disappointment at this morning’s news that Donald Trump will deliver a commencement address at the University of Alabama this spring. Trump’s divisive, antagonistic rhetoric should itself disqualify him, but if that’s insufficient, he is surely one of the least academically rigorous presidents in our country’s history. To have him address a room full of accomplished scholars who have just completed such marvelous achievements is insulting and embarrassing.

My wife and I have two children at the University of Alabama. One will graduate next week. She is a transgender woman. To give a man who has sought so consistently and hatefully to erase her from existence such a prominent role at her graduation ceremony is deeply hurtful and completely inappropriate. Do you want even a hint of implicit sanction of such nasty, prejudiced beliefs to fall on the University? I don’t think you do.

Finally, as I’m sure you are aware, the University has not traditionally had external commencement speakers. Is a rambling narcissist with no grasp on good oratory whatsoever the person with whom to break this longstanding custom?

As I click Send on this email, the University has not yet announced Trump’s speech, leaving me with some hope that the University will do the right thing and stop this high nonsense from proceeding. Trump is divisive, inappropriate, and hateful, and should not be welcome at University of Alabama commencement ceremonies.

Sincerely yours,

Bo Williams
Madison, AL