Brockton High School - Brocktonia Yearbook (Brockton, MA)

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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

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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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This conflict has also given us a new vision of world geography, with maps changing daily, and strange places assuming sudden importance. After the war, we shall be obliged to learn more about the customs and inhabitants of all foreign countries, regardless of their former enmity toward us and our allies. These are but a few of the necessary subjects which we must teach ourselves. Politically, too, our generation must be alive. Formerly, the United States' citizens were not allowed to vote until they reached the age of twenty-one. This year, however, Congress is considering a bill to lower the voting age to eighteen, since military service is requred of boys of that age. With the right to vote will come many civic responsibilities. For instance, after the war, a conservative element, with inclinations toward a business-as-usual policy, will, in all probability, arise in Congress. Although our country and the entire world need economic and social alterations, the political timidity of some legislators and diplomats in this country will hold us back, if we are not pre- pared to combat retarding factions. Yet how can we prevent such a calamity? By studying the facts and by wholeheartedly endeavoring to express the hopes of the public accurately. In regard to the influence of the public, Vice-President Wallace has referred to this age as the age of the common man. That common man, sometimes called Mr. Iohn Q. Public, must have enough initiative to think clearly and to express his thoughts with conviction. Most people are too lethargic even to bother writing their Congressman in approval or disapproval of governmental policies, so that we may be assured of direct representation in fact, as well as theory. Some historians believe that the peace plans of 1918 were defeated primarily because of a lack of public interest, initiative, and foresight. We should try to prevent a repetition of such mistakes. We must not forget, however, that patriotic spouting will not result in any governmental reforms. lgnorant people who dogmatically offer a panacea for the country's financial, international, and social difficulties, yet never buy a war bond or sacrifice a day's pleasure, unless under compulsion, are a dire peril to our national advancement. Last September, in a speech to the International Students' Assembly, President Roosevelt said: All of you young fighting people will have to take part in shaping our new world. You will earn it by what you do now: but you will not attain it if you leave your job for others to do alone. When you lay aside your gun at the end of the war, you cannot at the same time, lay aside your duty to the future. Throughout the bitter hardships which this conflict may force us to endure, we must not lose sight of the four freedoms for which we are fighting: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. We sincerely hope with God's help, youth may aid in bringing these four freedoms closer in reality to all peoples, and, by eradicating dictatorship from our period of history, create a superior and ennobled world. 20