Afro-American courier. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1926-19??, 1937-05-01
WHITTIER GOETH THOU.
GRADUATE?
By
0. E. HICKS
O. E. HICKS

AS the month OF May wends along to close the
whole country is turned toward the graduation There
are those who are digging away books and papers with
the attempt of finding address for commencement
mere are the parents who have looked forward to the
graduation OF son or daughter the elimination of
a dream Then the friends who share the lows of
the graduate Finally the graduate himself steps into
the picture and TO- he is the most important after all
Through four of work he has been guided pro-
tected and nurtured Responsibility ah what that
IN the students life? Naught The of the world
nave been his least He has wresed the
rious school texts English bit of history trfe
OF mathematics little science incidentally and a
OF other branches of knowledge During those four
ne has acquired only smaterng of the variety of sub
Ject matter to which he has been merely introduced He
engaged in those activities which have in large
sure given him indescribabe pleasure His contacts
with students who broad and had varied experiences
have helped to make him. His association with professors
who cultured and refined has tended to nst in him
the attitudes which will be conductive to his appearing
we'll among the lntelligenta of his acquaintance.
Soon the line of march will form. myriad of grad
yates led by the dignfed president principal and
august faculty whose work with these young people is
ended To the strains of beautiful music the body stros
slowly down the aisles where they wait patiently for
the presentation of diploma diploma which stands
for achievement diploma which stands for years of
work, diploma which stands for the acquisition of
knowledge and the formation of habits. These habits
suit in patterns of conduct which prepare for living
tremendously with his fellows.
Now when all is the graduate is to be thrown
into world of which he knows very little. The question
which would ask him u.s. Whittier Goest Thou, Grad
uate? Has your training enabled to make the
sary adjustments to varying life situations? Have you
formed the habits of thrift of industry, Of patience
kindness and perseverance? Finally does your training
prepare you service among those who have been less
fortunate than you
know who defines education as, "the ability
to get out shower of RAIN, in word adjustment
The difficult problem of the graduate is
that his world has been too artificial The high school
or college has been ideal community with few no
problems There scarcely any problem of social ad
justment obligation, for everything has been made
comparatively perfect Now is all changed and world
of realities presents itself Will you cringe and fear the
responsibility will you allow the situation to be
aenge to the best that is in you? should ike to
think that graduate is going to face whatever stua
tion he may encounter circumstances? make circum
Stances" said Napoleon Will you make circumstances or
will you stand and wait till something turns up, like
Mcawber The latter step is the fatal for nothing
will up of its accord Dcept to one in thousand
people You can't afford to drift along listlessy waiting
for job to up Get out and make one There are IN
Vulnerable jobs in the world waiting for someone with
initiative begin work them. You are the person
upon whom the world depending will you dsappolnt
that horde of people whose faith is in YOU
The social status of the average community is be-
How that which the average graduate chooses TO Ve ILL.,
The economic status is partly the cause the religious
attitudes are not what want them to be. In fact the
general tone of the community is below that winch you
have known and in which you have lived Will the evils
and weaknesses correct themselves? No, they walt
ing for you person with superior training and ability
to correct them Will you live with those people, snare
their Joys and and lift them up to standard
Of which you and they will be proud? Graduate this is
YOUR indispensable duty 1t us place IN society," YOU
must mold it if it is to be nodded There are individuals