Principal Joel Stembridge’s 2016 Graduation Speech

The world that you will be entering as graduates of Newton South High School is
complex – arguably more so than at any time in recent American history. And I
fear that the world that you are inheriting is becoming more – not less – divisive
and polarized. The good news is that I believe – and trust – that you have a key
role to play in the narrative of our country’s evolution.
I especially worry about this issue in light of the language that we are
experiencing in our nation’s political arena. If everyone employed insults,
intended slights, and the confrontational style of our current presidential
candidates, I doubt we would be able to work together, much less live together.
For me, my biggest worry is the language in our public discourse is so extreme
that we are being slowly conditioned to presume that those who do not believe as
we do are our enemies; that they are other; that their opinions are not important,
that their humanity is unimportant…
But our lives are important, and so are theirs. And we do not need to be
enemies.
I am reminded of a tale originating in India of people in a dark room surrounding
an elephant. Each person is asked to touch a different part of the elephant – a
tusk, a leg, a tail. When they compare notes they find that they have had very
different experiences, and yet it is only together that they can understand the
whole elephant.
The way to build a healthy, safe community is welcoming, valuing, and sharing
our differences, not rejecting them. We must discard the thinking that states that
the only opinions that matter are the ones with which we agree.
For me, the key to ensuring that we welcome the world views of others is by
leading with our curiosity. This starts with ourselves – we must be reflective and
curious about our own world view. We need to consider the origins of our own
beliefs. And it continues with how we approach others – not to define as other,
but with curiosity about both what we share and the unique values and
experiences that we bring.
Our country is in dire need of curiosity right now, and of people who are willing to
explore world views that are different than their own and to share their world-view
with others. You, our young people, have shown over and again that you are
better at this task than we adults. My request is a small one: that you endeavor
to make whichever community you exist in safe and welcoming by remaining
curious about differences. Reflect on your own intent. Be curious about your
impact on others. In doing so, you demonstrate that people, and their lives, are
important. It is my opinion that nothing less than the future of our country is at
stake.

So to the class of 2016: Thank you for what you are about to do – you are about
to go off on your several ways to the great unknown of the rest of your life. And
you take with you our hopes and dreams for a better, more unified community
and country. Always remember to seek views of others so that you see the
whole elephant! I think you are our best hope, and I wish you good fortune in this
endeavor.

And finally, as you end your Newton South journey and begin anew:
• Please remember that being wise doesn’t mean knowing the answers, but knowing
when to ask for help
• And please know that we are saying “good-luck,” but not “good-bye”; and that we
will always be here for you – both to celebrate and console, to cheer and assist –
whenever you have need of us. You will always be family.

Thank you, and good luck!