A few years ago, I posted David Foster Wallace’s 2005 commencement speech at Kenyon College. A couple of years earlier, I had written about censorship and its place in society. The former is an example of amazing thought put into words. The latter was a recasting of ideas originally expressed to me by a professor I had at the University of Oregon.
Recently, these two subjects -speeches at graduation and censorship- have combined to make news. Princeton University professor Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor gave the address at Hampshire College’s graduation on May 20th. She spoke directly to the soon-to-be graduates, describing our country in its current condition. Taylor interpreted Trump’s administration in sober, sobering, and euphemism-free terms. The forthrightness of her language was blunt, but at the same time I am sure that it was welcome and refreshing for many who heard it. She stated clearly that “the President of the United States, the most powerful politician in the world, is a racist, sexist, megalomaniac”. Accustomed to the polite language of our newscasts, this calling-a-spade-a-spade form of expression undoubtedly made some people happy. After all, it is possible to make the argument that Trump’s divisive language calls for a harsher rebuttal than that which is often publishable. Taylor seemed to echo this call when her description of the status quo in the US included criticism for a media that concentrated more on a bomb’s size rather than a deep examination of the lives it destroyed.
While her words were welcomed by both the applause of the people attending the speech and many others who have since watched online, there was also criticism. The most extreme response came in the form of death threats. Taylor pointed to Fox News and its characterization of her address as an “anti-POTUS tirade” as the spark for the backlash. Despite being forced to cancel public speaking events, Taylor has bravely reaffirmed that she will “not be silent”.
Since posting Foster Wallace’s speech, I have not shared another commencement address. His words struck me as so poignant that it would be difficult to find something better. However, as the controversy around Taylor’s words takes form, it is possible to see the irony that while Fox’s report might have spurred criticism, it also drew attention to Taylor and her ideas. That there are powerful people who seem to want to silence her message, speaks both to its accuracy and the fear that it produces. Taylor closes by calling together the force of “history, solidarity, and hope” to make our country into a better place. That message and the fact that some find its bearer controversial are more than enough reason to make sure that it is posted and re-posted for you to see.
Recently, these two subjects -speeches at graduation and censorship- have combined to make news. Princeton University professor Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor gave the address at Hampshire College’s graduation on May 20th. She spoke directly to the soon-to-be graduates, describing our country in its current condition. Taylor interpreted Trump’s administration in sober, sobering, and euphemism-free terms. The forthrightness of her language was blunt, but at the same time I am sure that it was welcome and refreshing for many who heard it. She stated clearly that “the President of the United States, the most powerful politician in the world, is a racist, sexist, megalomaniac”. Accustomed to the polite language of our newscasts, this calling-a-spade-a-spade form of expression undoubtedly made some people happy. After all, it is possible to make the argument that Trump’s divisive language calls for a harsher rebuttal than that which is often publishable. Taylor seemed to echo this call when her description of the status quo in the US included criticism for a media that concentrated more on a bomb’s size rather than a deep examination of the lives it destroyed.
While her words were welcomed by both the applause of the people attending the speech and many others who have since watched online, there was also criticism. The most extreme response came in the form of death threats. Taylor pointed to Fox News and its characterization of her address as an “anti-POTUS tirade” as the spark for the backlash. Despite being forced to cancel public speaking events, Taylor has bravely reaffirmed that she will “not be silent”.
Since posting Foster Wallace’s speech, I have not shared another commencement address. His words struck me as so poignant that it would be difficult to find something better. However, as the controversy around Taylor’s words takes form, it is possible to see the irony that while Fox’s report might have spurred criticism, it also drew attention to Taylor and her ideas. That there are powerful people who seem to want to silence her message, speaks both to its accuracy and the fear that it produces. Taylor closes by calling together the force of “history, solidarity, and hope” to make our country into a better place. That message and the fact that some find its bearer controversial are more than enough reason to make sure that it is posted and re-posted for you to see.
Works Cited
CBS/AP. "Princeton Professor: I Received Death Threats after Anti-Trump Commencement Address." CBS News. CBS Interactive, 01 June 2017. Web. 02 June 2017.
CBS/AP. "Princeton Professor: I Received Death Threats after Anti-Trump Commencement Address." CBS News. CBS Interactive, 01 June 2017. Web. 02 June 2017.
