Gift will help graduates follow their dreams

I was surprised reading the June 12 editorial “Grand Gesture,” critical of the gift by billionaire Robert Smith to pay the student loans of the recent Morehouse College graduates. The editorial stated that this gift was sending the wrong message to students. It stated that the students should be encumbered with the massive debt that they had to take on to obtain a degree in higher education in the United States.

This editorial could have been written in 1863 telling President Lincoln not to free the enslaved people in areas in rebellion against the United States but have them work for their freedom and they may benefit by being sharecroppers. Is this any different than being burdened with the chains of the massive debt they will have to pay for many years? This same mentality was used to persuade Congress to bar students in distress from the benefit of bankruptcy. Student loans generally are exempt from bankruptcy protection.

The advice given in the editorial is contrary to the instructions of Jesus to the rich man, who asked what he should do to be perfect. “Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come and follow me.” (Matthew 19:21). But reading the PG’s editorial, one is led to believe the PG would be on board to say “crucify him” for such an act of kindness.

I agree wholeheartedly with Morehouse President David A. Thomas, who said Mr. Smith’s gift gives students “the liberty to follow their dreams, their passions,” without a large debt hanging over their heads. ROBERT BERKLEY

HARPER Stanton Heights