The valedictorian who dared

THE EDITOR, Madam:

He dressed well for the occasion. His speech was well prepared. After all, he did well above all the other students. This was his moment to shine!!

So he thought: ‘today I am going against the established order. I have my degree from the Faculty of the Arts that endorses free speech, whatever form it takes, so I’ll just do it’.

The language was not initiated by the moment. His motive was to upset the order, so excuses cannot be made for something that was planned in the name of arts and culture.

The problem with so-called free speech is that it most often ends up making us more shackled physically, mentally, emotionally and otherwise. It is folly to go against the established order in the name of rebellion and you have nothing to replace it.

“Excellent speech becometh not a fool” – Proverbs 17:7. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold” – Proverbs 25:11. “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself” – Ecclesiastes 10:12.

To be the change you wish to see ought to be done with grace that will last more than a lifetime.

JOY FRASER