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Las Lomas High School Commencement Address
by Shereen Khan
June 13, 2003
As salaam u Alaikum. I begin by greeting you in the traditional Muslim fashion with wishes of peace and blessings.
As a first-generation Muslim American of Pakistani descent, I have been strongly influenced by my belief in the American dream. For my family, the American dream has meant shaping our lives and cherishing the freedom and opportunities afforded to us, as well as being able to peacefully practice our faith and values. From a historical perspective, the American dream is an extension of the values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, upon which the United States was founded. The dream we call the “American dream,” however, is not confined to America’s borders. Indeed, I cannot think of any place on earth where a better life is not sought after. From a global perspective, therefore, the American dream is ultimately a universal dream. However, it remains elusive for billions of people all over the world—even including many in the United States.
Closer to home, we, the graduating class of 2003, are in a far better socio-economic status than most people in the world. Not only do we live the American dream, we are also in a unique position to influence the world with our thoughts and actions. It is ironic, however, that we lack the awareness of issues affecting the rest of the world. We are graduating at a time when the world is rapidly changing, and it is critical for us to have a grasp of global issues. I believe that there are three principles that are important in understanding global issues. These are: tolerance, awareness, and activism.
Tolerance, on one hand, requires the acceptance of diversity in society with respect to ethnicity, race, religion, and culture. On the other hand, tolerance also helps recognize and promote the strength of a society in which we all unite through our common humanity, values, and dreams. Dignity, security, the quest for knowledge, and a vision for a better life are all common values shared by people, whether they live in Argentina, Uzbekistan, New Zealand or Zimbabwe. Understanding people means putting aside judgments and stereotypes of those who may at first glance seem different. As Mother Teresa once said, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Of course, no one can question the love and devotion that Mother Teresa provided to the poor and downtrodden. Tolerance also has yet another dimension. It entails recognizing that there are many sides to a story, and that everyone has the right to a differing opinion, no matter how unpopular or controversial. Martin Luther King Jr. observed that “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
The second principle of global understanding involves awareness and knowledge of national and international issues. Understanding the impact of our lifestyle on billions of people globally is very important. Sensitivity to people’s true needs, without expecting them to follow our way of life, is also crucial. The American form of democracy, for example, may not function effectively abroad, but a genuine effort to promote peace and freedom can bring about positive results on a long-term basis. Similarly, the American military power is unquestionably second to none, but we cannot fight terrorism with military strength alone. Instead, we must acknowledge the root causes of terrorism, namely poverty and despair, illiteracy and ignorance, and tyranny and oppression. Our willingness and commitment to combat these ills will result in global security and lasting world peace.
This brings me to the third and final principle of global understanding—that of sustained and progressive activism. By this, I mean getting out and working hard towards the eradication of global poverty and illiteracy. Activism can be practiced individually by direct participation in various social programs or by lobbying for government appropriations to fund such programs. Given the immense size of the U.S. budget, allocating a minute fraction of it to these programs can make a huge impact. Last year, the United States’ defense budget increased by $50 billion. That increase of $50 billion, alone, exceeds the entire annual defense budget for Great Britain or Germany. This year, our defense budget will be larger than the combined defense budgets of the entire world—some 191 countries. We have the greatest weaponry in the history of the world, but that is not the image that comes to my mind when I think of our nation’s strength. Our strength lies with the American people, people like us, who can dedicate themselves to the eradication of global poverty and illiteracy. By doing so, we will display the tolerant, humane, and diplomatic side of the American power.
These are not simply esoteric concepts. There are many Americans who are already making a difference on both national and global levels. One such example is of Seattle resident Stephanie Norman. Stephanie is a founding member of Social Ventures Kids, a charitable organization with members ages 12 to 17, which funds programs for homeless youth. The efforts of these volunteers prove that age is not a factor in making a civic contribution—everyone has something to offer to improve the lives of those around them. Closer to home, we have Melanie Edwards of San Francisco, who is making a difference on a global level through her diligent efforts in bringing Internet access to developing countries and to refugee camps in places such as Kosovo. Another compassionate individual, Dr. David Rosenblum of New York, traveled to Cuba two years ago and was appalled by the medical treatment of Cuban children. As a result, he formed the Children’s Health Cooperative, a group of New York practitioners and concerned businesspeople who distribute vitamins to children in need. These actions represent just a few examples of helping others achieve the universal dream.
We, the graduating class, must recognize that we have a lot to offer, our individual voices do mean something, and we can leave a positive mark on the world. If anything, I hope that we will take today’s remarks into consideration when we set our academic and career goals. I hope that our goals will include a vision as well as initiative towards understanding global issues and helping the disadvantaged achieve the universal dream. I truly believe that we are capable of rising to this challenge. I would like to leave you with a wise quote from Edward Everett Hale, an author and former chaplain to the United States Senate. He said, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” Thank you.
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