First Lady Tells George Washington U. Grads: Give

[cal04]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/05/16/us/AP-US-Michelle-Obama-Graduation.html

First lady Michelle Obama challenged George Washington University graduates at their commencement Sunday to ''keep giving'' through community service work.

Obama spoke to some 5,000 graduates and their families at the ceremony on the National Mall. She agreed to be their speaker after students, faculty and staff met her challenge to complete 100,000 hours of community service.

''I have one more request to make of you, one more challenge,'' Obama said. ''Keep going. Keep giving. Keep engaging.''

(snip)
''So many of today's challenges are borderless, from the economy to terrorism, to climate change ... you are uniquely equipped to solve those challenges,'' said Obama, who spoke for about 30 minutes.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. When I graduated 31 years ago, we were pledged with "noblesse oblige".

To whom much is given, much is expected to be returned. Every day there is at least one opportunity.

[dkf]

2. Do people believe they have been given much though?

Noblisse oblige is something that is taught to the aristocracy or the wealthy. Most people are worried they won't get enough, not that they should be helping out people with less.

In this day and age it is probably more about helping for the sake of helping. Things are too screwed up for people to feel secure in their priveleged status.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. It's interesting. My appreciation has grown and I've done more.

When I graduated, the words were "graduation speak". I thought my training in liberal arts was something that was commonly available and appreciated. And then I started meeting and working with people who couldn't think. It confused me, then irritated me, and then I realized my four years at college gave me eyes, a heart, and a brain and that made me de facto privileged. You only really understand your advantages when you compare yourself to those without. I've gone out trying to share what I learned, whether it's appreciated or not.