Rob Cornell's "Political" Commencement Address

When the Class of 2006 graduated from Corvallis High School the other night, teacher Rob Cornell delivered an address that clearly was political.  A bit odd, seeing that Mr Cornell is a math teacher, but he understands, it seems to me, one important point:  Life is political.  Every choice we make has an impact on other people, and the more choices we make — and the more public those choice — the more political become our actions.  (And never forget: the choice to not act is a choice as large as any.)  Mr Cornell spoke about the nature of contemporary American life and the way our present government behaves.  He asked the following of the graduating seniors:

"Take an active part in your government. Be an engaged voter and citizen. Know the issues. Give voice to your concerns. Participate in civil disobedience when necessary. It’s your country. Don’t accept the argument 'That’s just the way things are done.'"

For some listeners, this was an inappropriate "diatribe", as one letter-writer to the GT put it.  Others felt it was honest, compassionate and a good way to send these young adults off into the next stage of their lives.  Not a surprising range of responses, of course; that's what you'd expect in most of the country: a split vote. 

Sadly, one senior was under the impression her degree would be withheld if she walked out on the speaker, as she claimed many audience members did (given the brevity of the speech, I don't know how they'd have had time).  Of course, she also said he insulted farmers when his words were actually address to "corporate farming," a far different critter (she may not have been paying attention in that civics class).  Well, she was excited to be graduating.  I doubt that she was taking notes.

I found, reading his words in the GT, a thoughtful appraisal of the current situation in America -- from a liberal standpoint.  More importantly, I read, between the lines, a teacher's unshakeable faith in his students.  He knew his words would be controversial, but he trusted the kids to listen and think for themselves.  They could disagree — how happy he would be that any might disagree — but they would have to do so after listening and thinking.   But he would have to have an additional bit of faith:

That the kids would be better listeners, and citizens, than many of their parents.