The Incomparable 임지언

Last night I heard one of the best valedictory addresses I’d ever heard. And this says a lot. Being a father, a youth pastor, and a college professor over the last 27 years I have attended dozens of graduations, and heard many great speeches. Of course, I am partial to this particular valedictorian because of her connection to my family.

Julia has been like a daughter to my sister, living with her for the last 3 years, coming all the way from South Korea to attend an English-speaking school. Her name is actually Jieon, but when southeast Asians come to Canada to study, many of them will take on an English name. It’s just easier that way, or so I’ve assumed.

Julia has always been bright and well spoken, so it was no surprise that her speech was so well done. But something in that speech struck me. It struck us all. Julia shared that as she crossed the Pacific Ocean for her first time studying abroad, among the many butterflies she had in stomach, one of the big ones was the possibility of experiencing racism. That wasn’t what struck us. It was the next statement. She followed up with something to the tune of, Unfortunately when I arrived my fears came true. She, and all of the other International students who had come here to New Brunswick to study, had all experienced discrimination, racism, prejudice.

At this point there was a quietness that settled over all of us. It was like we were all embarrassed. Not necessarily because we believed we were the ones who contributed to this, but that it even happens here. That and the fact that we usually avoid talking about it. We like to think that it’s just something that “some people out there” do. And if we do find ourselves saying something inappropriate, we are surprised at ourselves and sometimes offer weak excuses instead of a simple, “That was wrong of me. I shouldn’t have said/done that.”

It also should be noted that this was largely a conservative Christian crowd. I do not contend that Christians are more racist or discriminatory than others, though I realize many feel that way. I would admit, however, that… Well, put it this way: You know those people who act like racism isn’t all that prevalent? They tend to act like it doesn’t even exist. For some strange reason, the church somehow seems to attract those individuals. And they make it difficult to talk about. Again, we give in to silence because it’s easier that way.

Julia did thank the community of her school and the home families of her peers and herself for helping her when those situations took place. The Christian community was a loving one that was present in those times. But, she went on to share,

those events will always stay with us.

I was so proud of Julia. This subject has never been brought up at any graduation I have attended. And as much as I hate to admit it, I’ve hardly heard it even brought up in the thousands of church services I’ve attended either. I’m sure it has been, but I can’t remember it. Julia boldly represented her fellow international students and, perhaps even more boldly, chose to be vulnerable and open herself up to the rest of us. That moment was a powerful one and I believe the impact of it will remain with the hearers longer and more strongly than most of us who were there might realize. Thank you Julia. And congratulations. This is your year.

And,

Congratulations How the West Was Won. This is your week.

And the Oscar goes to…

Best Actress:

Anna Faris as Sam Sparks in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Best Actor: Lorne Greene as Commander Adama in Battlestar Galactica

Best Quote: “Borg? Sounds Swedish.” — Alfre Woodard as Lily Sloane in Star Trek: First Contact

Without fail. All those graduations I’ve sat through, every time I heard “Pomp and Circumstance,” including last evening, I whisper to someone next to me, “Hey! Macho Man!”

Every time.