Obama asks Hampton University graduates to close education gap

For the first time as president, Barack Obama delivered a commencement address to historically black college Hampton University, telling graduates that they have “a separate responsibility” to become mentors to other young African Americans to help close a persistent gap in educational achievement.

Obama, draped in a “Hampton blue” robe, said the 1,072 graduates were better poised to enter an economy still recovering from recession and facing global competition than Americans without a college degree, who have an unemployment rate twice as high as those with one.

“I don’t have to tell you that too many folks back home aren’t as well prepared,” he said.

“By any number of different yardsticks, African Americans are being outperformed by their white classmates, as are Hispanic Americans. Students in well-off areas are outperforming students in poorer rural or urban communities, no matter what skin color. Globally, it’s not even close.”

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Photo: President Obama at 2010 Hampton University commencement (Photo : White House Staff)