Looking for a Little Hope? These Two ’22 Grads Can Help

Debbie says:

I had yet another viewing-with-alarm post in my mind, and when I sat down to write it, I simply couldn’t do it. So in case anyone has missed these, here are two amazing graduation speeches from last month.

Elizabeth Bonker has non-speaking autism, and yet she delivered this speech as valedictorian of her graduating class at Rollins College. She offers a stunning combination of telling-it-like-it-is and inspiration.

“I have struggled my whole life with not being heard or accepted. … The freedom to choose our own way is a fundamental human right, and it is a right worth defending, not just for us but for every human being.”

Zander Moricz is an openly gay high-school graduate in Florida, where the “don’t say gay” law passed a few months ago. He was informed in advance that if he mentioned homosexuality, the mike would be turned off. Without ever breaking the rules, he addressed the issue with creativity, humor, and directness.

“We must use our shared power, because of all those who didn’t use it, and let this happen to all of the people who couldn’t.”

Both of these videos bear watching … and rewatching.

======================

Follow Debbie on Twitter.

Follow Laurie’s Pandemic Shadows photos on Instagram.

======================