Brockton High School - Brocktonia Yearbook (Brockton, MA)

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CLASS ORATICDN Wanda M lfze pmwm wma By ELENOBE S. FINKLESTEIN During the past month, many high-school students, like their elders all over the country, have assumed the task of attempting, orally, to solve the problems of youth in the post-war world-problems which, in the months to come, youth will be trying to solve actually. Realizing that young people are often too cocksure, too dogmatic about their . ideas-which would, of course, immediately cure the crippled universe!-I would like to consider with all due humility for our lack of experience and wisdom, as much of youth's part in solving contemporary problems as we can safely handle in a short time. When the bill to draft eighteen-year olds was passed by Congress on Novem- ber 12, 1942, minors were suddenly thrust headlong into a War far more barbarous than any other in the long history of man. ln fact, many of the boys in our class of 1943 have already responded to the call of active duty. As we Welcome the parents of these lads to our graduation exercises, our hearts rejoice with mutual pride in the unselfish patriotism which our uniformed class- mates have displayed, exchanging the pencil, paper, and books of the shel- tered classroom for the rifle, the army pack, and the bayonet of the battle- field. Moreover, within the next few months, most of the remaining young men will probably be inducted into some branch of the service. Other classmates, both boys and girls, will be engaged in war work or voluntary assistance. Briefly, youth is fighting for the ideals of a universal civilization, and does not intend to halt until the ruthless foe has been decisively defeated. But our battles will not cease with actual military or naval combat. Youth must recognize its duty to participate in a successful plan, not only for restor- ing the earth to its former status, but also for regenerating economic, political, and social life. Before accomplishing this, we must submit to the delay in assuming our chosen professions, the sorrows of separated families, and losses on the battlefields. Will it not then be our eager hope to enjoy a post- war peace and prosperity which our generation has never seen? Our responsibilities in the post-war world will be numerous. Although many of these tasks cannot possibly be foreseen, still more obvious duties can be anticipated. A Perhaps the most evident of these will be the attempt to reconstruct war-torn Europe and Asia. It is not at all improbable that many of us here today may be chosen to endeavor to rebuild the cities, education, bodies, and minds of Europeans and Asiatics. With what attitude shall we approach these restora- tive tasks? I-lumbly and honestly, l hope, with intention to devote all our mental and spiritual strength to a titanic mission of unprecedented importance and difficulty. 18

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The blasted soil must once again be filled: In art and industry, in home and school, In church and state, the world its weal must find: In vast, creative, social science skilled, Mankind must learn, by heart, Christ's Golden Rule, With cords of brotherhood, all nations bind. Dr. Iohn Dodd says: We are fast learning that machines are not enough. We must discover the frontiers of our own spirits. Only in learning the mechanics of common humanity can we come to live at peace. Therefore, if our democratic way of life is to be kept alive and supported, We must have belief in the culture of the past, and appreciation of the humanities for the future. Men who possess courage and ideals must recognize the fact that the ideals of literature teach us to laugh at triumph and defeat, for human nature will exist beyond the shadow of our time and beyond the darkness which now covers the world. It is, therefore, the human ties which will finally bind this world together in a lasting peace. It is art, music, religion, history, literature, languages, and the allied sciences which will bring new values to life's meaning. In the outline of tomorrow's educational plan, Dr. Dodd explains: 1. The teacher will have a change of thought and understanding if he is to teach youth how to plan better and live more nobly. 2. Youth will be taught lessons concerned with worthy ideals, for youth must appreciate not alone his environment and opportunities, but he must become a master of himself. The schools of tomorrow will form methods in teaching the humanities. Many of these outlines are now under consideration, and educators are seriously studying this course of action. The cultural studies will emphasize a definite foundation in our post-war construction of education. On the battlefield, our brave soldiers will not die in vain, if we, the living, determine that decency and the Golden Rule must predominate, so that this world can be a better place tomorrow, where peace, prosperity, and happi- ness will prevail. 'Tis not in vain, and not by chance I go, But for the sake of men to come That I have chosen thus, to face and fight The menace to a free man's right. 'Tis not adventure that I seek, but peace: W'hat man, born worthy of the name, could cease To champion right, keep peace alive And help a sinking world survive? 'Tis not because l'm tired of life. I fight But for the weary, for the child's weak cry, And willingly my life I give That humble folk might work and live. 17

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First, let us visualize the cities whose buildings are rent and torn by bombs, whose industries are enslaved by the invaders, whose people are stunned and demoralized. The United States must send engineers, architects, scientists, and physicians to all afflicted cities. We, as young Americans, sincerely wish to avail ourselves of the opportunity to repair the wreckage wrought by war. Another duty stems from the fact that, unlike American students, the rising generation in Germany, Italy, and lapan has been indoctrinated with hatred and intolerance. Teaching these young people to think as civilized human beings, rather than as savage beasts, will represent our second major problem. Since adolescent minds are customarily in sympathy with other youthful minds, it is Young America's job to re-educate misguided youth of undemo- cratic countries. True, young teachers, missionaries, theologians will be the primary influence in converting these misdirected people into co-operative citizens of the world. Possibly some of the very students seated here now will be leaders of thought in a post-war period. Another direct result of the present struggle will be the weakened bodies and minds of men, women, and children. The soldiers who may escape death on the battlefields may not be fortunate enough to escape diseased bodies and minds. Women and children who may, by some ironic fortune, survive ex- termination by bombs, may not survive starvation and the resulting terror of mind and spirit. Wherever such misery exists, we, the potential doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, and social workers, must be ready to aid in the rehabilitation of wounded hearts and minds. By the unselfishness, generosity, and sincerity with which we approach these tasks, we shall create understanding and affec- tion toward Americans, and shall hasten the day when the people of all countries may work diligently, play fearlessly, think clearly, and worship freely. Yet before our services in the post-war era will be needed forty-five hundred miles away, home problems will require our attention. ln order to surmount our obstacles, we must be conversant with current trends in economics, sociology, and politics. lf our formal education does not supply us with the required knowledge to interpret and comprehend timely subjects, continued self-education will be necessary. Perhaps the easiest and most practical means of self-development is reading widely and thoughtfully, not merely to escape the realities of a confused life, but to learn how to make that life more useful in the community and country. We must read thought-provoking newspapers, magazines, and books, whether or not we agree with the views expressed, for we must keep our minds active and healthy. We must also improve our mental and emotional powers so that we may grow in sympathy and understanding. Most important of all, we should realize the incompleteness of our education, and always cherish a fervent ambition to continue learning and to improve. In preparing for a future world of harmony, we must remember that peace carries problems almost as complicated as those of war. For example, when peace is finally restored, the tempo of America's industries and agriculture will be greatly disturbed. In fact, to evade a ruinous depression, an eager interest in economics will be essential for every citizen. 19