A Mass Commencement
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A Mass Commencement
| Sun, 06-10-2012 - 7:01am |
The video is 12 minutes long, But the article sums it up nice. You aren't special..
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The guy has a point, but I don't think a high school graduation is the place to bring those points up, in the way that he did.
However, I do think some teens/graduates need to get off their high horses and realize it's a big world out there and they are only special among thousands of other special people. I also agree with the idea that making everyone special, means no one is special.
I googled the school and its in a very affluent area, privleges are probably very pronounced.. I don't think the speech would have worked in a lower SES area.
My dad was an educator in a school known for its excellence. His philosophy was very much like the way that teacher spoke, I think watering down egos is the aim.
I know the area.
Know many who grew up there. I live in a smallish town now and I think that teen mentality (some have) is even stronger ... that big fish in a small pond. They are having a hard time making it in the real world where no one thinks they are so special. Unfortunately, I see so many, year after year, coming back home because they were no longer treated "special" out there.
IDK, my friends and I talk about this often. In a small town, sometimes, there's just no reality of the world outside of themselves or what they experience here. The reasoning might be different in a affluent town, but the end result seems the same ... again, for some. I don't want to generalize.
My point being, I think this mentality exists everywhere, not just affluent town. IMO
Maybe he should've given this speech to the parents when these kids were starting preschool!
In any case, while I see the point trying to be made, I disagree. Graduation should be a time for inspiring speeches, IMO. While I get the what he was trying to do, I think the timing could have been much better. Don't most kids get a reality check when they start college, anyway?
Angie
Sorry, but the drop out rate is high and you know what? yeah there are lots of people out there who are graduating but it is a feat to actually stick it out and graduate. They are special in that they didn't quit. I am not saying they are unique in that they have graduated but accomnplishing a milestone in life? Yeah that is special. In regards to all that well, there is always someone trying to bring other people down. When my kid graduated HS it was abig deal and yeah it was pretty special for us.
Just saying the article sort of spreads the dread.
If this commencement speech was given in a school with a high dropout rate, I'd agree with you, but it was given at a school in an affluent area where I'm sure the majority of the class will be headed off to college in a few months. I'm not sure I agree with his choice of venue, but it's a message that needs to be given to these kids. In an effort to promote everyone's self-esteem, trophies are given for showing up, praise is given for making an effort, and then when they get to the work world, they become a headache for their supervisor when they want all kinds of praise for making an effort and can't believe the audacity of someone who dares to tell them that they aren't making the grade. I know that's a broad generalization that likely doesn't apply to all under-30s, but there are enough out there who do fit that description that I've read any number of articles on the subject.
I think pointing out how UNspecial they are drives home how little that means in the real world. And you know what, If you want to change the world look around you.... It's not all about you! Those kids DO NOT need praise and recognition.
edited.
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