Double Penalty
I recall graduating from college at the University of Iowa. I was the first of my family to graduate, so we all made a big deal of it…attending the massive commencement ceremony, then the convocation for the College of Liberal Arts. Lots of folks skip the big ceremonies these days; some colleges even don’t bother with it, instead holding those college-based events.
It was a bit underwhelming, given the length of both events. But it was an important family moment, and I’m still glad we did it nearly 40 years ago.
Four years ago, high school students around the country were denied their proper commencement ceremony due to COVID. Those are special events you never can replace, and although schools did their best, it was obviously not the same.
Now, college seniors at Columbia, Southern California, and I’m afraid an increasing number of places will miss out on their commencement for fear of pro-Hamas protestors disrupting things. For many, this means they will miss both their high school and college graduation ceremonies…important rites of passage and accomplishment.
I’m not saying we should have had high school ceremonies four years ago, or that this year’s college events would not be marred by instability and perhaps physical harm to attendees. But the reality is that it’s at least a shame, and given the lack of leadership by many on campus, it’s a situation that did not need to happen.
We’re only now beginning to see the adverse impact of COVID lockdowns on the development of young people. Taking away these important milestones may seem fine now, but could have a permanent adverse impact on this generation of future leaders. Not enough is being said on that topic, likely because no one knows what to do about it.
How many parents have dreamed of these graduation days, as well…only to have what they worked and saved for pulled from them.
On top of it, the value of those high-priced diplomas is cratering, as employers are publicly stating they won’t hire graduates from certain schools because of the anti-Israel protests.
We must figure out “how we got here” and soon…before even more foundational societal aspects that we count on are destroyed.
