Good morning everyone– and welcome to all of you! Thank you for that kind introduction. I want to thank President Cabrera for his opening remarks and of course, our esteemed GREEN MACHINE, for getting us pumped this morning. Who needs Starbucks when we have the green machine.
It is a special privilege to address all of you today. Students, parents, orientation leaders, faculty, and staff.
Every year a group of phenomenal young people – just like you all of you – begins their undergraduate journey here.
And every freshman convocation is special – marking the beginning of the collegiate journey.
And this year is no less significant – but this moment seems especially important – consequential is a unique way.
This week our nation has been
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Twice his words have called us to hold in our hearts the tears and loss two families have endured.
Twice he has called for JUSTICE.
Justice is complicated and I as sat and wrestled with the heaviness of the week – I felt compelled to pick up Audre Lorde’s book “The Cancer Journals”
Now I know most of you have never heard of Audre Lorde – she was an Author, poet, Radical feminist, womanist, Human Rights activist and civil rights warrior.
Her book, The Cancer Journals, is about her battle with breast cancer, and her struggle against fear. Her struggle to be fully seen, understood, and visible.
For me, one of the most profound sentences she penned seems relevant for us today.– She wrote “Silence has never brought us anything of worth.”
SILENCE IS THE ENEMY.
Silence strangles justice AND smoothers compassion.
Indeed, in the same book, Audre Lorde
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Too high because Silence makes us small and The great Nelson Mandela once SAID “there is no passion to be found playing small.”
Think about that – NO PASSION TO BE FOUND IN PLAYING SMALL!!!!
Leaders don't play small
Leaders don't sit in a safe little corner and remain mute
Leaders ….. imagine big and they harness the power of their voice to effect change.
And I am certain You did not work your butt off in HIGH SCHOOL to PLAY SMALL at Mason.
I know you did not defy all the odds and surpass everyone’s expectations To be silent at Mason
I am certain that you did work full time --while taking class at NOVA--To be mute at Mason
NO!
Beginning today, and over the next four years, We, the faculty, will challenge you
We want you to speak up.
We want you to debate.
We want you to critique. to ask questions. Lots and lots of questions.
Because surely you did not come to Mason to have knowledge neatly tied up with a pretty green and yellow bow and sparkles on top.
Surely you did not come to Mason to be invisible. To be silent. To be mute. To be passive. TO BE