Last week was Commencement week in Cambridge, with MIT’s service last Friday, and Harvard University last Thursday. I attended the Harvard Graduation Ceremony. In the interest of full disclosure, I did so as an employee of the video crew. Nonetheless, I was impressed and moved by some of the speeches from both the student body and the key note address.
Thomas Allen Victor , a gradutating Senior, talked about the history of Harvard, and the ghosts of the crimes against humanity that were committed in the past. He was proud to say that 21st Century students think different.
[LISTEN: Chuck's audio report.]
The Radical side of Harvard Commencement
Act 1
Another graduating student, Anthony Christian Woods, is also an Iraqi vet. For a moment, I felt like I was re-living the Winter Soldier hearings.
Act 2
The afternoon keynote address was delivered by Joanne Rowling, famed auther of the Harry Poter series. Many of these graduating Seniors grew up with Harry Poter. But Ms. Rowling did not dwell on the magic and mystery of the series, but rather talked of the importance of Imagination. And to use that imagination to empathize with others suffering in the world today. She also recalled her work with Amnesty International, and challenged the American students to take responsibility of being citizens in the world’s remaining Superpower.
Act 3
Author Ms. Joanne Rowling addressing Harvard Commencement last Thursday.
