Gordon Forgey

Most county schools are sending off their seniors this week.

It is an auspicious time, kids are venturing into the adult world. They will face more challenges, more responsibilities and more independence. They will also face new experiences.

As important, they will face new ideas.

It is a big occasion. The graduation ceremony is an important part of the transition.

Recently, a trend has developed in graduation speeches. Students at some schools, particularly universities, have protested scheduled commencement speakers.

Schools and universities should be where the expression of ideas is encouraged and nurtured. Instead, what is occurring now is a form of intolerance to differing ideas. It can stifle free speech and limit the expression of ideas.

An intolerance to differing views can also lead to an intolerance of the very people with those views.

New ideas or differing opinions should not be arbitrarily discounted. Even if they are different than one’s own, an effort needs to be made to at least understand them. So should an effort be made to understand those holding different ideas.

Valid differences of opinion can be respected just as the people holding them can be respected. That does not mean accepting them.

The real world is not homogeneous, but it need not be constantly confrontational.

Look at the ineffectiveness of our government for what intolerance of differing views can bring.

Graduation should be a time for embracing possibilities and widening one’s horizon, not for breeding intolerance.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher