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03/27/2005: "My Commencement Speech"

I have not delivered this speech to anyone. At least, not yet. If I am selected as this year's student commencement speaker then I may deliver it May 14th at the Portland (Maine) Cumberland County Civic Center. In the meantime, read what I wrote. Let me know if you like it.



   I want to thank the University of Southern Maine and you, the graduating students, for this opportunity to speak to you. Congratulations on all that you have achieved.
   I am a ‘non-traditional student’. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2000 from the University of Connecticut. I had a double-major: Philosophy and German. I spent two semesters studying at a German university. I left college with high marks and a beautifully printed degree. I proceeded to flounder around, unsure about where to go or what to do. Graduate school for Philosophy seemed like the way to go for a while. But then I realized that this would (quite possibly) lead to a career involving questions no deeper than, “do you want fries with that?” I didn’t have the passion for the pursuit of Philosophy for its own sake. I discovered that I do have a passion for teaching and for science and this is what brings me here to USM. I am no more sure about anything than I was before: the difference is that I’m now doing something I love.
   But life isn’t about school and school can only do so much to prepare you for life. And our lives are no less difficult today than were the lives of our parents and grandparents. We live in a world with a great deal of sorrow and war, poverty and tragedy. No, I admit that the whole world is not terrible. All the same, it’s difficult not to be cynical. Some would say that you have to be young, naïve or both to believe that there is a chance for economic justice and true and lasting peace among nations. Kurt Vonnegut, summarizing the sayings and doings of youth in his novel Jailbird said that “Young people still refuse to see the obvious impossibility of world disarmament and economic equality.” Vonnegut’s voice is unmistakable. He sounds awfully cynical, saying that world disarmament and economic equality are obviously impossible.
   But that isn’t what he’s saying.
   He’s saying that when we allow ourselves to believe that such ideals are ‘obviously impossible’ they become impossible in fact. Sure, neither you nor I (as individuals) can bring about world peace. But cynically saying that any well-informed member of society must accept abominable poverty, sickness, hatred and war as facts of life is unacceptable. Only hope and hard work can bring about change in the world. Call me naïve but I believe that there is reason for hope.
   Gathered here today are people who believe in the future. You have chosen to better yourselves by education. Gathered here today are people who believe in the pursuit of truth and beauty. You have distinguished yourselves by your academic pursuits. Here today gathered are people who give me hope that the world we leave our children will be better than the world we were given. I believe that you “refuse to see the obvious impossibility of world disarmament and economic equality.” My hope is that you will always refuse to see this. My hope is that you will not relinquish hope but will instead work to further truth, justice and peace in the world.
   We have a choice about the way we see the world. It is not a simple choice but an important part of it is whether we decide to be full of cynicism or hope. Choose hope.
   Thank you.