Commencement Address to the Stockbridge High School Class of 2021

The graduating class 2021 on the football field. Photo taken by Crystal Killinger.

The following commencement address was submitted by Stockbridge Community Schools teacher Timothy Salow. Salow gave the commencement address at the 2021 graduation ceremony.

I would like to begin by acknowledging the honor it is to have been asked by the class of 2021 to speak to you today. Apparently they have forgotten just how long my lectures tend to be…well, here is a reminder…I hope you packed dinner. 

As you are well aware, I am one of the history teachers here at Stockbridge High School. My subject–the contemplation of time and the people in it–is what I offer as a parting gift to our graduates. 

More specifically, I’d like to reflect on a central question of my course as it relates to these graduates today. You see, students, having made their way through the majority of my world history course, are asked: why did Western Civilization,which is our civilization, composed of the peoples in, around, or interacting with Europe, come to prominence in the world? Western Civilization today is nearly ubiquitous. English is the dominant language of international affairs, Capitalism, as an archetype (even if not fully realized), defines global commerce, representative government in all its various manifestations is widely held as the only legitimate form of governance, and Monothestic religion, if not specifically Christianity, is more widely practiced than any other belief system. These are but a few of the ornaments of what historians generally refer to as Western Civilization. 

But the world has not always looked to the “West” as a model for human interaction as our graduates know. There are particular qualities about the Western culture that lead to its rise which, if followed in our own lives, will lead to the same ends. So, graduates of 2021, here is how to make history.

First, graduates: be curious. As you learned in class, at the start of the Early Modern Period, roughly 1400 or so, the peoples of the West were the least likely to come to such prominence. China, and Eastern Civilization more generally, actually was far superior in political control, obedience to religious doctrine, technology and engineering, economic production, and wealth in general. In fact, the very technology used by Europeans to eventually explore the world was borrowed from the Chinese and the Middle Eastern peoples. Speaking of the Middle East–with the three great empires of the Ottomans, Safavid, and Mughals–all three surpassed Europe militarily and financially, and threatened invasion almost perpetually. These empires controlled trade, the Chinese controlled supply, but Europe controlled nothing. In every aspect of human interaction the East and Middle East bettered the West save one–philosophy. Western philosophy, which for many was so closely tied to religion that we might as easily call it theology, had as its central presumption one very important premise: never hinder the curiosity of human logic.

Now, to be curious is to be open-minded, so, graduates, be open-minded as well. Today, when we reflect on the curiosity of human logic, we might think of stem programs–science, technology, engineering, mathematics–the development of  which requires an open mind. This is a fair thought, as is the association of logic in the same way with respect to politics or economics. But there is more that is meant here. For the Western peoples, this concept should govern our daily lives as well as development. If an idea or device is useful, it is illogical NOT to use it. Same is true of ideas: if an idea is logically sound, then adopt it as true. This is what it means to be open-minded. And indeed, the West became obsessed with the pursuit of Truth, discovering transcendent realities, and distilling divine premises. Revelation and reflection were handmaidens to the enlightened mind. Even, it is true, faith and reason were joined as mutual supports in the pursuit of wisdom. It is with this spirit that the West, poor in every other way, began to interact with the rest of the world. As mentioned, Portugese and Spanish explorers used the Chinese compass and the Ottoman triangular sail to traverse vast oceans. The English and Dutch built upon the geometric developments of the Islamic scholars in ship construction, giving rise to global shipping and birth to an economic system rewarding those whose visions were the greatest. Capitalism itself presumes through the theory of opportunity cost that no single entity is most efficient in all things, but that through cooperation and mutual support, if not benefit, all might become prosperous.

But in this pursuit, Graduates, be humble, for what has served the West so well throughout history is its cultural humility. In the West there is the inherent assumption that other cultures, peoples, regions were of equal value. It could not be otherwise for such open-mindedness would have been as illogical as improbable. Indeed, we often hear of the colonizing actions of the West, but seldom do we also reflect upon the much more common open-minded trade of the West. Far more frequently the West built trade relationships. The relationships, free and humbling by comparison to the rest of the world, reveal another lesson about the rise of the West: toleration and mutual respect create opportunity for growth.

 So graduates, be respectful and tolerant as well. After all, the West invites diversity–even in instances in which particular groups within the West attempt to shun it. I’m thinking of the New England Puritans, who, though initially setting out to build a community of uniform religiosity, soon became a hotbed for religious dissent and individualism, giving rise to calls for religious freedom…and the rest of that story you already know…. Moreover, the implicit result of toleration and mutual respect, which is presumed by an appreciation for diversity, is liberty. 

Therefore, Graduates, cherish liberty. Only when individuals are free to express and practice personal beliefs, customs, or desires do we respect and tolerate each other. Living as we do in America, I need only to mention that our Republic was founded with such concepts in mind. But such a Nation, founded in the pursuit of universal principles of justice and liberty, would only have come into being amongst a people whose initial reaction to the larger world was one of humble admiration, of toleration, and of curiosity. You see these philosophical attitudes build upon each other and in sum create the cultural attitude for relationship building that is typical of Western Civilization.

Moreover, it is possible to conceptualize what I am saying in another way by looking to Western Religions, which have at their heart doctrines of love. So Graduates, love freely. Pursue that transcendent element animating all positive human action.  Love your neighbor, which is to say, enter into respectful, tolerant, and humble relationships. This is the essence of Western global activities–even with those whose political reaction was like the East–a retreat into isolation. Of course it must be noted that not all interactions were just, true, or grounded in love, but if we are to look for inspiration in history, then we must note the frequency with which Loving kindness DID play a significant role in building the best relationships of the West.

After all, it is in the exercise of love that a purity of our intentions is restored, and so the innocence of youth becomes the renewed spirit of the elderly. In love we learn the truth of loss, of absence, thereby leading us into deeper appreciations for the present and giving hope for the future. In love we find our middle way between cowardice and rashness, which is to say, courage. Finally, it is in the independence of love that we build community, friendships, and family. In these bonds we freely exercise fidelity, faith, and honor. We cultivate selflessness and toleration. Virtue, and therein the truest elements of the human spirit, becomes possible.

And so I say to the graduates of 2021, live as Westerns have always lived: be open-minded, cultivate curiosity, humbly appreciate the world, and offer respect as you would want it offered to you. In doing so, allow a mildness of emotion to govern in you, while also keeping passion for honest labors alive. Be ever logical, and always think for yourself. If a good idea greets you, give thanks and welcome it. Seek justice by defending liberty. And lastly, but most importantly, love honestly. In doing so, you will build relationships reaching far and wide. The peoples, cultures, and experiences of this world will open to you and prosperity beyond measure will be your inheritance.