By Junior Aristide
Pride, the self-induced emotion that shows all and what you stand for was very evident on this commencement day.
Families from every corner of the world came to see their loved one complete a task that has proved long and humbling. I witnessed a unified front of young people from all backgrounds; take a leap towards life’s eminence.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) conferred upon its student’s degrees that not only stood for higher education, but for a greater purpose and responsibility to each other on Aug. 5.
Graduation speaker David J. Johns, the executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans explained in his speech the importance of this feat. Johns wanted the students to remember to always remain focused on their personal goals upon leaving the university. As students we sometimes get derailed from our passions and lose sight of what we really want. A constant pursuit of your dreams is what is needed now, and the ambition to never let anything stop you is the invaluable lesson FAMU teaches students.
Johns then elaborated on the younger ones, who are looking up to us. “Do something to support the younger black generation,” Johns said. Parents were moved to tears by his statement. It was now time for the new graduates to take on that responsibility.
With a sense of fulfillment and honor, the arena was filled with families that were overjoyed.
As I looked around the Al Lawson Center, I saw younger siblings in the stands and thought to myself how powerful it must be to pass the torch on to those behind you, and witness the success of the seed you’ve planted.
The speaker’s final point was to take care of each other. The world we face today may not always be forgiving, and as graduates of an historically black college or university it is important to look after one another and not only be there, but collectively support each other through oppression, adversity and hardships.
During her closing remarks President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D. stated that, “many of you would not be seated here today were it not for someone else.”
The entire arena resonated with this fact. These new graduates have now parted with a vital set of skills that can be found no where else, and as Mangum stated, “I’m counting on you and I know you’re up to the challenge”.
I personally have an adamant belief that there is no limitation that can stop a true Rattler from completing the goal at hand. Not only do we have some of the best students in the world, but also there is an underlying spirit that reigns with humanity, which to me embodies the head, heart, hand, and shield that represents FAMU entirely. The strike will never stop, it will never cease, and it will forever persevere. Be eternally prideful and unapologetic about the success that the world is about to see.