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Brothers, with high school, college, and university graduation ceremonies soon to be upon us, I'd like to take the time to offer my congratulations and pat on the back to those young men among us who have made the sacrifices, and put forth the effort to better themselves in the arena of academic achievement.
You could consider this my own Commencement Address. A tribute to our young men.
I'll ask you to imagine that I have been introduced, the applause is dying down, and I am about to begin my remarks as to what today's graduates need to have to make it in our present society.
THE TEXT OF MY COMMENCEMENT SPEECH:
I have often wondered why Commencement speakers are usually someone rich and famous.
It seems sad that the day of hearing parting and encouraging words from a parent, an elected official, or a minister has gone the way of the typewriter.
In the modern view, a graduation ceremony is not 'complete', unless or until a 'name' speaker is in the house, and on the platform.
Well, as a parent myself, let me clue you in to some realities that your teachers and professors may have told you--but you may not have caught the first time around.
As you sit before me, clad in cap and gown, ready to charge out and take your place in society, remember these simple words from a simple man: There is no sin in being common.
Common men and women are the ones who made the sacrifices that put you where you are today. Two parent homes or single parent homes. We were the ones who paid the taxes, elected the leaders, paved the roads, and cleared the way for you to dream about your futures.
Now, some of you may have forgotten us, but your moms and dads told me to remind you who we are. Some of us are the mothers in the home, who opted out of a 'high powered career' to be there when you needed your homework checked, or your tears dried.
Some of us are the cops on the beat, the reporters in the newsroom, the 'third shift' men in the factories, or in the fields of education, finance, corrections, or in the ministry.
But, one way or another, we were there when you needed us. When your homework was so complicated that it took a bank loan to get you a computer.
When your hearts were broken by a relationship that went sour. In fact, let me say that, if you are truly blessed, you will eventually become one of OUR ranks.
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