More and more people use commencement speeches as an opportunity to vent their spleen over controversial political issues of the day, rather than transcend current affairs and speak of higher, principled issues. Conflict erupts, which is a decidedly selfish and self-serving outcome.
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But is it possible to provide commencement speeches without being political? Should speakers be selected by weighing their political views and their posts on social media? Should they be discouraged from offering contentious positions, given that some part of the audience will disagree with them?
As of late, universities have disinvited an abundance of speakers because they realize that their presentations will likely cause dissension during the ceremony. Students have been known to turn their backs on speakers or hold up nasty signs to demonstrate their disapproval.
Recently, Jon Haidt’s invitation to give a commencement speech at New York University created an uproar from leftist students. Part of their reactions were due to misinformation or rumors about what he actually believed, particularly in the book written by Haidt and Greg Lukianoff, Coddling of the American Mind. Greg Lukianoff explains how their ideas have been misunderstood, to the degree that students demanded that Haidt be disinvited. Haidt gave his speech anyway, and many listeners had to admit that his talk was not controversial, but insightful.
People have tried to address this issue and offered various suggestions: carefully screen speakers and their history of social media posts; provide clear direction about topics that should be avoided, especially those that are political or controversial; give direction in advance for handling disruptions as they arise; establish a dialogue with anyone who may object to the speaker.
Even taking these precautionary steps, people will misread or deliberately ignore your direction. They may believe that they have an obligation to speak “their truth” and “say what needs to be said.” Student speakers have often been guilty of submitting a text of their speech, and then switching the topic at delivery time. One student was disciplined for expressing his personal political views that were anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian.
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One commencement speaker who has spoken four times at his own university offered some excellent advice that might help the process. He begins by stating that the graduates who may feel criticized by controversial ideas deserve better, especially since they have no opportunity to take issue with the speaker. He also makes a powerful point about the audience at commencements:
Most of the seats at a commencement are filled with proud parents and family members, who of course also hold differing views on public policy disputes. Many of these parents have worked tirelessly to create the opportunity for their children to attend and graduate from a university. They deserve special praise for their sacrifice and contribution to their children’s success. They don’t attend the commencement to be lectured to or to have their deeply felt views and values denigrated.
Still, his suggestions reflect his own maturity and humility about, not only the speaker, but also toward the students and their parents. He assumes that people who are present will accept and respect a speech that is principled and non-political. Newsflash, only conservatives can really do that. In these times, I have serious questions about any of these people giving deference to the situation at hand.
Leftist Americans are too polarized to be able to listen with courtesy to a commencement speech, and leftist speakers are too busy trying to meet their own agendas.
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It’s time to lay to rest the commencement speech.
Image generated by ChatGPT.