David McCullough Jr. Commencement Speech..."You are not special."

[MotoSook]

Every parent should watch this with their child!

I can't link the Youtube video right now, but

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/06/david-mccullough-wellesle_n_1575402.html

“Here we are on a literal level playing field. That matters. That says something. And your ceremonial costume … shapeless, uniform, one-size-fits-all. Whether male or female, tall or short, scholar or slacker, spray-tanned prom queen or intergalactic X-Box assassin, each of you is dressed, you’ll notice, exactly the same. And your diploma … but for your name, exactly the same.
All of this is as it should be, because none of you is special.

You are not special. You are not exceptional.

Contrary to what your u9 soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card, despite every assurance of a certain corpulent purple dinosaur, that nice Mister Rogers and your batty Aunt Sylvia, no matter how often your maternal caped crusader has swooped in to save you … you’re nothing special.”

[KaptKaos]

Link?

[MotoSook]

You Are Not Special Speech - High School Graduation - YouTube

[speeder]

Who is he? Someone we should know?

[VINMAN]

That was major news around here. I cant believe all the butt hurt parents crying that there child was belittled..

IMHO, The guy is dead on!

[widgeon13]

Guy understands life, too bad the parents don't.

[dennis in se pa]

WOW! Very powerful. This needs to be shared by all. Thanks for the link.

http://www.theswellesleyreport.com/2012/06/wellesley-high-grads-told-youre-not-special/

There it is in print. I feel I get more understanding from text than from a video.

And I might be wrong, but I think his dad was the historian.

[Seahawk]

Jr.

Originally Posted by tchanson

I'm surprised you don't Denis.

He's a fantastic historian, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, won a couple of Pulitzers over the years, was the narrator in Ken Burns Civil War series, among others

His book on John Adams a few years ago was one of the best political bios I've ever read.

And his comments are spot on, here.



Tim

[MotoSook]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

WOW! Very powerful. This needs to be shared by all. Thanks for the link.

Wellesley High grads told: “You’re not special” | The Swellesley Report

There it is in print. I feel I get more understanding from text than from a video.

And I might be wrong, but I think his dad was the historian.

I agree. I've copied the text to a file and will be printing it for my recent grad (who left for college 3 days after graduation, for degrees in Physics and Engineering) and his soon to be sophomore brother. Somethings mean a lot more when they hear it again from a third party!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Good speech. The quicker graduates realize that they are now a very small fish in a very big pond, the harder they will swim.

[MT930]

Spot on ! Welcome to the machine

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Good speech. The quicker graduates realize that they are now a very small fish in a very big pond, the harder they will swim.

I've been watching that develop with my grandkids. With every step forward they step into a bigger pond. My 9 year old granddaughter will start middle school next year. She is excited about not being coddled so much and being allowed more freedom and responsibility.
I hear a lot about how awful kids are these days, but the few I have personal experience with are far ahead of anyone in my generation when we were that age. I hope they aren't exceptional.

[Por_sha911]

Great speech. Reminds me of a little tune done by the Eagles.

[madmmac]

I think he got it from his dad berating him about "just" being a high school teacher and the chip on his shoulder when he got married and did not feel as special as his bride.

Guessing he got his butt kicked on playground also. Seems to be quite bitter.

A couple of good points and observations at the end, but he may seek some counseling.

[sammyg2]

The message is spot on, but you can tell he's an english teacher who has spent too many years trying to think of clever phrases and important words designed to impress his piers.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

The message is spot on, but you can tell he's an english teacher who has spent too many years trying to think of clever phrases and important words designed to impress his piers.

Is he an english teacher, or a dock worker?

Did anyone read all the way to the end of the speech, to the last few lines?