America, we have a new hero. His name is David McCullough Jr., and he's being dragged through the mud today by the kind of parents who make me embarrassed to have procreated. It seems some moms and dads are mad because the long-time English teacher did something daring in a graduation speech this month: he told the Class of 2012 they are "not special."
Gasp! How dare he? McCullough was supposed to stand in front of the kids at Wellesley High School and tell them exactly what every other commencement speaker at every other high school in the country was telling the graduating class: that they are unique, incredible, amazing individuals!
Only one problem here y'all!
Everyone else has already done that.
The only choice McCullough had was to try something different. And boy did he. His 12-minute speech, which I'll post below in video form because it's that worth seeing, literally included the words "You are not special," but this wasn't some crusty old kid-hating curmudgeon trying to make the seniors feel like worthless pieces of dog doo doo. If that were the case, I'd be right up there with the parents who are giving McCullough what for today.
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Instead he explained that being "special" seems to apply to everyone these days. And he's right. There are schools that refuse to give kids a 0 on homework ... even if they didn't hand it in. There are parents who insist their kids "deserve" exceptions to even the most basic rules at every turn (dare I mention the parents who recently sued the school that kicked their kid out of a class for cheating ... after he'd signed an honor code that warned him of exactly that consequence?).
The result is a generation of narcissistic brats, fed up teachers, and parents who can't control their kids. And yes, I realize I'm raising a member of that generation. Heaven help me, it's a crowd I hope she's never popular in.
Because as McCullough so aptly put it: "If everyone is special, then no one is."
I'll take it one step further. If every kid fresh out of high school is so great, why should they bother working at all? Going to college? Starting at the bottom rung of a company ladder?
Graduation is a wonderful time for our kids, and something they should be proud of. But the parents who don't like McCullough's address because he did not pat these kids hard enough on the back are forgetting that high school graduation is but one step in the road. They aren't done yet. And if we can't bear to even tell them that, what good are we as parents?
Our job isn't to tell our kids they are the most special and best in the world. It's to tell them they have to chance to be the most special and best, and the tools to get there. That's what David McCullough was trying to say. That makes him the kind of teacher I'd want in my kid's classroom.
Watch McCullough's speech and tell us: do you think it was an appropriate speech for graduation?
Image via WellesleyChannelTV/YouTube
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Comments 47
AWESOME speech! I agree with him 100%
I hope this becomes a trend among teachers and speech givers at ever high school graduation !!!! this is an amazing speech every graduating 12th grader should hear !!!!!!
AMEN!! I am so tired of this generation of parents, where every child gets an award and they deserve everything because as the speaker say "they are special". Sorry, but he is right, you aren't special.
Yes, you are unique and wonderful, but that doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the real world. In the real world, there is disappointment, you don't get everything just because you want it and you have to work and work hard to earn what you want. That is what we as parents should instill in our children.
My daughter is 8 months old, and while I will tell her she is wonderful, amazing, smart, strong, I will will also tell her all the things I mentioned above. Because I want a child that values what I give them, who works for things and does not expect me or anyone to just hand it to them!
Absolutely fabulous speech. I do not see why anyone would not like this speech...unless they have a touch of narcissism in their personality. He is completely correct. This speech gives the kids something to think about. Just because you graduate high school does not mean you are set for life. Yes, it is a great accomplishment considering so many kids drop out due to various reasons. Graduation is the beginning of the long battle of pursuing a decent way of life. College, a job, a career (yes there is a difference between a 'job' and a 'carreer'), a family, retirement. Those a just a few things that are acomplished along the way. No one will be there except themselves to give them a pat on the back when they get any of those things.
I love this man. I got a text from my daughter's best friend the other night telling me to find his speech. She graduated HS with an Associates and a full scholarship for college. BUT, around January, she had a total and complete meltdown and also told me many others that she was in college with from her HS were facing similar issues. She was a little put off when I stated her teachers here had done them a grave disservice. (I thought it at her grad ceremony, but wasn't going to harsh it for her). They were all "special" and "amazing" and were going to change the world. Just by being alive is the message I walked away with. :( She went from a class of 40 to a student body of thousands and they were NOT prepared to be told their work sucked. She failed her first attempt at pre-pharm after acing everything touched previously and another failed her pre-med program entrance exam. She said my message to her about sucking it up, working harder, and getting over the idea that she was going to walk out of college making $200,000 (yes, she really thought this!) a year made her see the real world was a LOT different than she had been led to believe. She is really smart, but she now sees being smart isn't the be all end all of success. It takes WORK. More people should tell kids this, not pamper them until they get a taste of the real world and see it's not all sunshine and roses. THOSE kids can't cope with a real problem when it comes along.
aside from the context being spot on, this guy is an awesome writer. His speech is beautiful, well written and thought out. excellent work
I love it! Do kids really not hear this on occasion? I don't think I've ever told my kids 'You're not special!' but I have told them that 'You're not more important than the next person in the family!' every time they get it in their head that the world revolves around them and that the rest of the family should follow that example.
Why are kids graded if they are truly learning for the love of learning and the experience that comes with that learning?
This was a really great speech. I love everything he said.
It just does not match the American educational system and how it teaches kids with a punishment and reward system.
He said learn and work because you love to do it, not for the trophy, or the social status or the end result....WTF IS Highschool!? Or, school in general? It is possible for the teachers to steer students in the right direction without all these gold stars and grades.
This is why I'm loving the Montessori method more everyday.
I agree with the others who say this should be a speech given at many more ceremonies....maybe even the boards of different schools.....