Civil rights radical Harry Edwards returns to San Jose State for commencement
Source: San Jose Mercury News
SAN JOSE -- In the days since he first set foot on the San Jose State campus half a century ago, Harry Edwards has gone through a number of changes in uniform.
The imposing athlete got to the university as an undergraduate on the basis of his physical prowess on the field, but traded his tracksuit for a suit and tie when he decided that academia was his true calling. After getting a doctorate at Cornell University, he then picked up the firebrand trappings of heavy work boots, African beads and a black beret -- sometimes with a book of matches pinned to his lapel. That was in the late 1960s, when he inspired the protest of the Olympic Games that is symbolized by the raised-fist Black Power statue on the downtown campus.
But on Saturday as he gave a commencement address to thousands of graduating students, Edwards was clad in the traditional hooded robe fit for a renowned scholar as he imparted words of wisdom to a crowd of 8,000 gathered in a hot Spartan Stadium.
"The rule of thumb in America today," advised the 6-foot-8, gray-bearded 73-year-old, "seems to be: 'Be whatever you want, but be afraid.' "
Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_29952192/civil-rights-radical-harry-edwards-returns-sjsu-commencement
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