Welcome to the graduating class of 2024. It’s an honor to address all of you today, especially since many of you missed the milestone of a high school graduation ceremony four years ago. But here we are today, marking the day with hope, pride and appreciation for the world around us.
Your great-grandparents, many of whom are not here today, were once known as the Greatest Generation. They came of age during the depression, and helped our country fight and win WWII. But today, there is a new generation to take that title. And that is you.
Why? Because for them, fighting the enemy was different. It was in another country, a world away. The enemy wore uniforms different than our own. They had it hard, no doubt. But don’t think you had it any easier.
Because your enemy was all around you. In schools, synagogues, churches. Safe spaces were no longer safe. Your enemy wore the same uniform as you, and was harder to spot. They carried guns in backpacks, and filled their minds with hate.
There was no way of knowing who, when, and where they would strike. You would just bravely carry on with your lives, your education, your world with that in the back of your head. Where they had air defense drills, you had active shooter drills.
Growing up, the enemy was very real for you. Yet it wasn’t. And that is hard.
You are the baby boom of September 11, 2001. For our country, it stands as one of the most emotionally devastating times we’ve experienced in our nation’s history. Many didn’t want to bring kids into the world after that. They were so disillusioned when those towers fell, those planes crashed, and those innocent lives were lost. But your parents worked through that apprehension, to bring you into the world. You were born not out of fear, but out of hope. The hope that you could do the things we were unable to do.
You are alive to change the world, and that is what you soon will do.
And so, the children whose dna and courageous spirit were born out of national tragedy are before us today. You know the life you are leaving behind in search of the life you want to achieve. A better tomorrow driven by the actions and attitudes of today. And that is the mission that lies before you.
You have grown up between worlds. The one that appears before you and the one that so effortlessly glows in your hand, buzzing endlessly. The screen is your portal to find friends, love, and distraction. But the screen also has a mystifying power that pulls you in and away from the real-world-problems that lie before you. Escape is important, but constant escape means you do not act upon the things necessary to make the world a better place.
It’s tough to imagine now, but four years ago, life was much different. You know deeply what it feels like to lose something. You understand just how fragile life can be, and how a few short months of life can change an entire way of living.
One thing COVID has taught us is that life is less predictable. Which is a good thing. It will keep you present and honest and protective and grateful. All the things we never were because we were lost in our commutes, and paperwork, and overtime and everything else that prevented us from seeing the truth. And now, you have time to act upon those feelings, those truths and build a world around them.
Here are a few thoughts to remember as you enter the world as graduates.
Always speak your truth
It’s easier to make the wrong choice than the hard choice. That’s why so many things are messed up with the world. People don’t have the courage to stand up for what they believe in, if they don’t think others believe in it too. Maybe they are worried about losing friends, losing votes or losing clients. But there is no greater loss than losing sight of your truth. So never do it. You will lose yourself.
Open Your Mind
Closed minds, as history has shown us, are like barriers that stunt progress and perpetuate divisions. They breed misunderstanding, block empathy, and restrict personal growth. In an interconnected world, where we don’t always agree, the impact of closed minds ripples far and wide — strained relationships, bitterness, and fractured communities.
Every day, reflect on the broader impact of closed minds. Consider the ongoing struggle for equality, encompassing trans rights, gay marriage, women’s rights. These battles often arise from closed-minded beliefs tied to tradition and religion. The outcome? Laws that curtail freedoms and perpetuate a sense of inequality.
In a society that values freedom and limited government intervention, it’s crucial to ponder the consistency of our stance. Are we demanding freedom for ourselves while inadvertently infringing upon the freedoms of others whose choices we may not agree with?
Take Blame
Many people want to blame others for their own misgivings. Don’t fall into that trap. Undocumented workers are not the enemy. China is not the enemy. Different races, religions and cultures are not the enemy. Gays, lesbians, trans people are not the enemy. We are our own enemy. We must not place our blame on others, but rather should take responsibility for our thoughts and actions.
Believe in something. Stand up for what you believe in.
You get one chance to build a life you are proud of living. Be smart about it, and never make concessions. Have a mission and discover what is important to you, Do whatever you can in service to that goal. Be brave, be strong, and always be honest.
Build A Community At Home
As you build your life, make family a priority. We have taught you the art of distraction, so unlearn that skill. Human connection is the most important thing in life, and if you put your kids on a race to nowhere, like we did to you, eventually they may get there.
Think bigger. Broader. Braver.
The things you may have learned growing up do not need to define you. Feel free to choose whatever path feels best. Remember, people are people. Love is love. And men and women can be anything they want. Don’t let the past define your future or let others tell you who you are. Figure it out early, and become it on your own.
Today is not just about moving on academically, it’s moving on fundamentally, as a human being, packing life lessons along with stolen street signs, garbage bags full of laundry and St. Pauli Girl Posters for wherever your dreams may take you.
Life is now boarding. Move about the cabin and learn new cultures. Invest your time and energy into cultivating relationships with equality in mind. You will begin to see worlds you didn’t know existed. Moments will become sharp with the focused understanding that life is a fleeting and precious gift for everyone; no matter the skin they wear or the God they worship or the flag they fly.
In the end, we are all human.
And now, you are ready to take your rightful place with the many others who have come before you to graduate. Class of 2024. Go forward as a voice of change. A voice of reason. A voice of hope. Open your mind and build a world better than the one we’ve built for you.
You got this.
