Barack Obama indirectly criticized his successor, Donald Trump, during a virtual graduation ceremony on Saturday, in a rare public trial of the former President of the United States during the coronavirus pandemic.
"More than anything, this pandemic has completely, finally cut the curtain on the idea that many of the people in charge know what they are doing," Obama told graduates of several dozen historically black colleges and universities.
"Many of them don't even pretend to be in charge," he said as he discussed the implications of the pandemic during the online event, without naming a specific leader.
Obama has kept a low profile since leaving office in January 2017 and rarely speaks publicly.
Saturday also highlighted how the health crisis underscored racial inequality in the United States and expressed outrage at the shooting death of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery, killed on February 23 while running in Georgia.
"A disease like this only highlights the underlying inequalities and additional burdens that black communities have historically had to face in this country," he said.
"We see it in the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on our communities. Just as we see it when a black man runs and some people feel like they can stop and ask, and shoot him, if he doesn't submit to their question," he continued, without naming Arbery.
Obama will speak at a second ceremony later Saturday, this is a star-studded stellar event for high school students who are missing the graduation pump due to the coronavirus.
The beginning will feature a variety of artists, athletes, and musicians, and is being carried by major American television networks.
Due to the global health crisis, traditional American high school and university graduation ceremonies, a rite of popular initiation, are out of the question.
So virtual ceremonies are taking their place.
"I have always loved joining the beginning, the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice," Obama wrote on Twitter earlier this month.
From NDTV News
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