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Much of the mainstream media coverage of the Presidential Medals of Freedom awarded today were about the controversial choice of former Irish president Mary Robinson, who critics allege has a history of anti-Semitism.What shouldn't get lost in the shuffle is the honors bestowed upon actor Sidney Poitier, South African archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu, civil rights activist Rev. Joseph Lowery, as well as former Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor, U.S. senator Ted Kennedy, and deceased gay rights activist Harvey Milk. President Barack Obama handed out awards for 16 distinguished people, including 13 living luminaries. First Lady Michelle Obama was on hand, seated front and center.
Of Poitier, the president said, "In front of black and white audiences struggling to right the nation's moral compass, Sidney Poitier brought us the common tragedy of racism, the inspiring possibility of reconciliation, and the simple joys of everyday life. Ultimately, the man would mirror the character, and both would advance the nation's dialogue on race and respect."
The president lauded Tutu as a man who possesses "that essence of humanity that South Africans know simply as Ubuntu." Before awarding Lowery, Obama recalled a favorite sermon by the minister: "He said: 'There's good crazy and there's bad crazy -- and sometimes you need a little bit of that good crazy to make the world a better place.'"
President Obama Pictures
Leftist activists burn a portrait of US President Barack Obama in front of the US Embassy in Buenos Aires on August 12, 2009 during a protest against the US Imperialism and the coup d'Etat in Honduras. AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Leftist activists burn a portrait of US President Barack Obama in front of the US Embassy in Buenos Aires on August 12, 2009 during a protest against the US Imperialism and the coup d'Etat in Honduras. AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Leftist activists burn a portrait of US President Barack Obama in front of the US Embassy in Buenos Aires on August 12, 2009 during a protest against the US Imperialism and the coup d'Etat in Honduras. AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Health care reform protesters join a demonstration in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 2009. The protesters gathered outside a venue where Democratic US Senator Arlen Specter was holding a town hall meeting on the proposed health reforms. Republicans are loudly fretting over the cost of reform plans by US President Barack Obama, with some branding it "socialism" and warning that the soaring US budget deficit will skyrocket if the president gets his way. AFP PHOTO/Virginie Montet (Photo credit should read Virginie Montet/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Health care reform protesters join a demonstration in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 2009. The protesters gathered outside a venue where Democratic US Senator Arlen Specter was holding a town hall meeting on the proposed health reforms. Republicans are loudly fretting over the cost of reform plans by US President Barack Obama, with some branding it "socialism" and warning that the soaring US budget deficit will skyrocket if the president gets his way. AFP PHOTO/Virginie Montet (Photo credit should read Virginie Montet/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Health care reform protesters join a demonstration in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 2009. The protesters gathered outside a venue where Democratic US Senator Arlen Specter was holding a town hall meeting on the proposed health reforms. Republicans are loudly fretting over the cost of reform plans by US President Barack Obama, with some branding it "socialism" and warning that the soaring US budget deficit will skyrocket if the president gets his way. AFP PHOTO/Virginie Montet (Photo credit should read Virginie Montet/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Health care reform protesters take signs as they join a demonstration in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 2009. The protesters gathered outside a venue where Democratic US Senator Arlen Specter was holding a town hall meeting on the proposed health reforms. Republicans are loudly fretting over the cost of reform plans by US President Barack Obama, with some branding it "socialism" and warning that the soaring US budget deficit will skyrocket if the president gets his way. AFP PHOTO/Virginie Montet (Photo credit should read Virginie Montet/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama embraces Professor Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh after presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on August 12, 2009. Obama awarded 16 individuals the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama talks presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Professor Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on August 12, 2009. Obama awarded 16 individuals the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama talks to Professor Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh before presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on August 12, 2009. Obama awarded 16 individuals the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Comments: (12)
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By: Adrienne on 8/13/2009 11:36AM
Go Sidney Poitier and other Black pioneers. Thank you all
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By: Rosalie Brown on 8/13/2009 11:26AM
Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson and Joseph Lowry the only 3 who were worthy of this honor.
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By: indypacers on 8/13/2009 1:00PM
All I can say is well done, excellent selection of pacesetters.
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By: James on 8/13/2009 2:36PM
An award for being homosexual? A wasted award in my view.This is an ACTIVITY that is conducted behind closed doors.How does this SIN make people/the nation better? How does it compare to civil rights victories? Science milestones? Artistic endeavors? A total waste!
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By: James on 8/13/2009 3:25PM
I missed the part about them giving awards because people were homosexuals? I thought that Milk and King got the awards because they broke down barriers in politics and sports. Oh well, I am happy for everyone who was awarded. We all can learn something from American trailblazers! Kudos to all.
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By: Leon on 8/14/2009 12:33PM
REGARDLESS..HOMOSEXUALS, HETEROSEXUALS, BISEXUALS,
wE ARE ALL GODS CHILDREN.
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By: Evelyn on 8/13/2009 8:35PM
Who's a homosexual?
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By: orsine camara on 8/14/2009 8:40AM
Who's homosexual????
Scientifycally...ALL...humanbeings A R E "so called" homosexuals..
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By: alma timmons on 8/13/2009 9:29PM
I am beginnig to think that there are people who are trying to find fault in our new president. Your negative comments about him just makes him stronger. Whoever you are should have been dissing the former president who did nothing, but just look like he was doing something, but really not doing anything. Since our new president who is black is in the office, He is giving honor to those who wasn't thought of when Bush was in office. Get a life and stop trying to find fault of others, what's in your closet!
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By: Audrey on 8/14/2009 4:46PM
CONGRATULATION TO ALL THE AWARDEES AND YOU hater' need to get a life. It appears that you hater's
must have slept thru the last administration.
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