Brockton High School - Brocktonia Yearbook (Brockton, MA)

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CLASS ORATION UOZ7E'ZClfZCE fO'C 51356155 By 1osEPH FRANCIS co'rTER, jf. From its beginning at the Constitutional Convention at Phila- delphia, in l789, supplemented by the Bill of Rights and the subsequent amendments, the Constitution of the United States of America has guaranteed to the people of our country freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, and the right to petition for a redress of grievances. We pride ourselves on these freedoms, and we congratulate one another that with them we have created tolerance and maintained it through the crises of depressions and wars, until We have become the blazing symbol of tolerance in the world today. But are we really tolerant? De we practice the freedoms which are our constitu- tional heritage? Or do we allow our way of living to breed intolerance? Unfortunately, we can recall with regret incidents such as vicious killings of the Negro by the Klu Klux Klan, the refusal of the Daughters of the American Revolution to allow the famed contralto, Marian Anderson, to sing at Consti- tution Hall in our Nation's capital, or the bloody Detroit race riot, just two years ago, which caused the injury of seven hundred people and the death of thirty-five others. Although these examples of intolerance are too numerous in our country, nevertheless, we do realize that the United States is still the world's leading advocate of tolerance. But we cannot be too easily satisfied. In the world of tomorrow, which all the peoples are striving to build today, tolerance must reach a still greater degree of perfection. How can we attain this goal? Through the media of education, religion, gov- ernment, and family life we can improve our present standards. Years ago, the English poet, Alexander Pope, wrote, just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined. In the great field of education, we must start early and continue incessantly. For example, the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, has offered in its schools a Program of Education for Democracy, which other cities and towns can do well to investigate and emulate. Springfield, a city of l60,000, is typically American. About forty per cent of its population is Yankee Protestant stock. The rest consists of Irish, French-Canadian, Italian, and Polish stock, with a small minority of Greeks, Armenians, and Germans. A condition of open prejudice existed, until, eleven years ago when a quiet but determined school superintendent, Dr. Granrud, assumed the task of changing the prejudiced, intolerant attitude of many of the citizens. He ap- pointed a board representing all these various groups and this organization helped each group to appreciate the problems of the others. In commenting on the effectiveness of the Springfield plan, I. Edgar Hoover has said, There is no question that understanding is the basis of democracy. People who know and understand each other can work and live in the same community in unity. The essence of the Springfield Plan is not to superimpose tolerance on boys and girls as they approach adulthood, but to keep them the way they are as children before they acquire prejudice and hatred from adults who have been thoroughly poisoned by them. ' Again, since practically all religions recognize the brotherhood of man, our churches can do much to abolish prejudice and discrimination. Laymen of 17

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Bodily perfection, however, must be accompanied by mental alertness. This requirement makes it imperative that youth consider the educational facilities in our land. At present, as I need not tell you, prices for everything are high. Some people complain about having to spend too much money for this and too much for that. We have even a few among us, I fear, who are prone to criticize the sums expended annually for the intellectual development of American youth. They would try to get education without sufficient expendi- tures. We must remember that every bargain ever offered is merely a bargain. ln brief, the customer receives exactly what he pays for, and no more. But, friends, we cannot-we dare not-barter our educational standards. No mat- ter what we may think at the moment, we, fellow classmates, are soon to be members of the general public, we shall be responsible for any flaws that may occur in the advancement of American culture. Our education must prepare Americans for sane, successful lives. They must learn how to enjoy their leisure time, how to conduct their businesses, and how to do particular jobs well. All of us appreciate more doing work that interests us, Work that we actually enjoy and out of which we can get satisfaction. Is it not education that gives us this knowledge? Lower our high standards of intelligence, and we betray our welfare. It is our responsibility to see that American education gives full value, not false bargains, for the money invested in it. After our schooling has done the completely thorough job of ridding our minds of antique theories, biased opinions, and commonly-held notions that are one hundred per cent prejudiced, we are ready to face the most old-fashioned and yet most ultra-modern concept of successful living-a development of a con- sciousness of the universal equality of mankind, We must recognize that all peoples of the world are brothers: then we shall be able intelligently to avoid much of the prevalent unnecessary friction. Let it suffice to say that each mem- ber of our class has before him, this evening, a challenge so great that he must not fail to understand its full significance. It is simply a return to the idea of doing for the other fellow just what you would want him to do for you. It is recognizing that, in itself, neither color, nor race, nor creed ever made a fine human being. It is extending a kindly, peaceful hand of help to every man, woman, or child wherever and whenever we may encounter that man, woman, or child. And so, this evening, as we break up our unity as a school group, let each one of us travel toward his destined life duties intelligently. Let us demand for all men opportunities for suitable physical and intellectual development. Let us practice and encourage the growth of an appreciation of the brotherhood of man. Let us live as Lincoln admonished: With malice toward none: with charity for all: with firmness in the right. Let us strive onward to finish the work we are ing to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations. 16

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various religious faiths can strive for closer co-operation. ln this way they can state the chief problems, discuss them together, and settle them harmoniously. The God of the Catholic, the Protestant, and the lew is substantially the same divine being. The rituals differentiating the various creeds are like the tradi- tions of a country in their sacredness and should not be ridiculed and attacked by other groups. When our boys are under fire, their separate concepts are united into one great faith. lt is this faith that should be the basis for religious tolerance among all men. Closely allied with education and religion is our American form of government which makes these former two possible. We must continue anti-bias legisla- tion, which is a powerful weapon to combat discrimination in our communi- ties. By employing the same sincerity and understanding which was displayed by our founding fathers in the establishment of democracy in America, we can encourage tolerance by drafting the necessary laws. Let us mention some important dates in the development of democratic tolerance: in 1639, Roger Williams founded Bhode lsland so that everyone might worship as he pleased, in l735, the Peter Zenger case established freedom of the press, in l789, the Bill of Rights, embodying the fundamental rights of man, was added to the Constitution: in 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued allowing the Negro freedom, in l920, Woman Suffrage was adopted thereby giving equal political rights to women, and in l939, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the decision of the lower court, a decision which stated that the Mayor of lersey City had no right to prohibit free speech there. While extending tolerance to education, religion, and government, we must not neglect the family and the home, where the first and most lasting impressions are made. lf, at an early age, children are taught love and understanding in the home, the work of the teacher, the priest, minister, or rabbi, and the legis- lator will be greatly helped. All of these leaders will then find that the home has prepared the way. From our experience in the present war we have learned that the best defence is a good offense. Since this is true, it is now that the spirit of Uni- versal Brotherhood must be instilled within the people. lt is now that a program emphasizing the kinship of all peoples from all lands should be taught and taught well. We of the class of l945 who are now growing into adulthood with turmoil and tragedy all around us, are quite aware of the problems that we face in attempt- ing to gain and to maintain an enduring peace. Tolerance is one key-a very important key! ln conclusion, let us, from the words of the last stanza of the poem, This ls the Land Where Hate Should Die , by Dennis A. McCarthy, make a strong reso- lution to help maintain tolerance in the hearts of all Americans. 11 This is the land where hate should die. This is the land where strife should cease. Where foul suspicious fear should fly, Before our flag of light and peace. Then, let us purge from poisoned thought That service to the state we give. And so, be worthy as we ought Cf this great land in which we live. T ' From Your Town Could Do It Too by Helena Huntington Smith. 18