Brockton High School - Brocktonia Yearbook (Brockton, MA)

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HARVEY B. BLACKMAN CLASS POEM When long ago to school our feet were led, We had no cares and lived our easy days. We thought not of the arduous tasks ahead, But rather Went in joy upon our ways. We travelled leisurely along the pathp Our foresight, short-our aims, quite undefined: And, light and varied as the flying chaff, The distant goals oft shifting in each mind. Today, the path leads through a black abyss- A darkened World, crammed full of grief and woe Will God permit us to resume in bliss The peace and freedom known so long ago? Our searching eyes, no simple answers findg Our puzzled minds can find no guiding rod. Today, the World demands a bold, keen mind And courage strong to Work the will of God. 21

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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

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I THOMAS L. NORRIS CLASS ODE WORDS- MURIEI. GLASER MUSIC -' THOMAS N0f?f?!S P MA, -. W- -Ts ' , -U15 ' will -M-1 124 sl, 4 I l I ' V -l- h l Y UF- : Q J '. III-L 4 H44 'fa sz : . - .a . , 1' I f I an I I I , . 22