Let’s clarify something. Ben Jealous is a fine choice for Class Day speaker. He’s actually a graduate of Columbia College, unlike some of the others on the short list, who were at best tangentially affiliated. He was a student at Columbia a mere 16 years ago, which boosts his relatability factor. And his current station in life—he is the youngest-ever president of the NAACP—makes him a testament to the advocacy, passion, and ambition on which so many Columbians, past, present, and (presumably) future, pride themselves. Yes, Ben Jealous is a good choice for Class Day speaker. But as a subject for editorializing, he comes up short.
