To my fellow graduates, these are interesting times to be entering the world. Our time feels more electric each day with the veritable hum of modernity. Then again, there has always only been the present for us and maybe that is just how life feels. Still, it seems as we’re on some sort of great crossroads — as if the world as we know it cannot continue on its present course. I’d say the world definitely will not be able to continue as is with a majority of the ideas that govern our global and national, collective thinking continuing to prevail.
The world before us is rife with uncertainty, but the future always is. However, if we approach our future, as well as our fellow man, with pragmatism and compassion, we can be certain, no matter the challenges, our reality will never be bleak. Everyone gets scared and insecure, which does not have to guarantee fear and animosity prevails.
There are a lot of problems, but none greater than any other age has faced. The problems we have now are mostly of our own making. The present is the direct and indirect result of past thoughts, actions and feelings. So, any negativity we now face is of our own doing. If we change our thinking, we will change our lives. Some of the ideas we harbor will be painful to change no matter how right the new ideas may be. John F. Kennedy once called us “to do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” I say we heed that advice.
Too often now our lives get in the way of our life as we’ve even managed to find a price for our time. The saddest day for America came when the measure of a person was determined by income. As Americans, we’ve always prided ourselves on our rugged individualism and that anything was up for grabs here as long as one was willing to try. Continuing as we are, that promise will be further eroded into just a myth. We will continue striving for some idea of individuality (even to be so far misled into thinking individuality can be bought) that we’ll forsake any and all originality. Once gone, the essence of what made us great as a people will have disappeared. Meanwhile, we’ll have 2,000 channels of really awesome television.
The powers that be do their best to keep us divided. A democracy divided cannot stand and the same goes for a distracted democracy. Art is the best way we’ve been given to unite as people. If we recognize everyday artistry and the innate beauty of what and who are around us, the walls of division crumble.
Thriving on insecurity and lacking compassion are the quickest ways to see them built up. Wars are always about them versus us. If we see our own humanity in our supposed enemies, then all we will be able to see is just a planet of us.
 One of the greatest minds of the 20th century, Carl Sagan, said: “One day, they’ll have a war, and nobody will come.” Hopefully, we will be the ones to see that happen.
College was supposed to give us a set of eyes to be able to view the world critically at times, let’s never lose it. Question everything, especially authority.After all, that’s what democracy is about. Seek the truth and let that be your life-long ambition because truth is wherever you seek it. However, truth must be sought; one cannot simply happen upon it.
I can’t think of a better way to close my last Reflectorarticle than by saying, “You can wrap this one in Maroon and White.”
David Breland is a senior majoring in communication. He can be contacted at [email protected].