Now I know your first choice for today was Alice Walker (guess how I know!), known for The Color Purple. You should all be very proud that this is the Wellesley spirit. “Diversity … like anything worth having … requires effort.” Effort to learn about and respect difference, to be compassionate with one another, to cherish our own identity … and to accept unconditionally the same in others. Where do mermaids stand … all of those who are different, those who do not fit the boxes and the pigeonholes?” “Answer that question,” wrote Fulghum, “and you can build a school, a nation, or a whole world.”Īs that very wise young woman said. Where do mermaids fit into the scheme of things. She intended to take her place wherever mermaids fit into the scheme of things. Now this little girl knew what she was and she was not about to give up on either her identity or the game. The pastor tells her there are no mermaids. She related the story by Robert Fulghum about a young pastor, finding himself in charge of some very energetic children, hits upon a game called “Giants, Wizards, and Dwarfs.” “You have to decide now,” the pastor instructed the children, “which you are … a giant, a wizard or a dwarf?” At that, a small girl tugging at his pants leg, asked, “But where do the mermaids stand?” The essence of this spirit was captured in a moving speech about tolerance given last year by a student body president of one of your sister colleges. Wellesley, you see, is not just a place … but an idea … an experiment in excellence in which diversity is not just tolerated, but is embraced. More than ten years ago when I was invited here to talk about our experiences in the People’s Republic of China, I was struck by both the natural beauty of your campus … and the spirit of this place.
I thought it was going to be fun - I never dreamed it would be this much fun. They are exciting in Washington, and I have really looked forward to coming to Wellesley. I am really thrilled to be here today, and very excited, as I know you all must be, that Mrs. Gorbachev, Trustees, Faculty, Parents, Julia Porter, and certainly my new best friend, Christine Bicknell, and, of course, the Class of 1990.
0 kommentar(er)
