Let me preface this by saying that I will not be in town during graduation. So don’t worry seniors– this is only an attempt get fake internet attention, not actual, real-life attention. I wouldn’t want to spoil your passage into unemployment.

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My school, Emerson College, announced that Blair Underwood will be speaking at commencement on May 18th. 

Funny story. When I performed at the NAACP Image Awards in February, Mos Def was scheduled to introduce my act. But Mr. Def was late getting backstage, so Blair Underwood had to do it. As you can see, he really knocked it out of the park:

And although I find the name gaffe funnier than being a potential muckraker, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out the irony of the selection (including civil rights icon John Lewis), given the scrutiny Emerson is under… by a local NAACP branch. The school newspaper last month:

“A local NAACP branch and an Emerson student organization are pressuring Emerson’s administration to grant tenure to Professors Roger House and Pierre Desir, who have alleged their applications to become associate professors were denied because they are black. [...] They also noted that Emerson has not tenured and promoted a black male professor in its 129-year history.”

Whoops.

Sign my online petition to support me for this prestigious role! I’m also taking suggestions for my pre-planned introductory screw-up. So far I’ve got Blarr, and Blair Underwear.