Our Image Library does not have the Brandeis University seal among its images, and I am very cautious about the images I use here. There are two portraits of Mr. Burns, but they date from 2006 and I’m not sure they’ve been “vetted” in the interim. So we will go with a trenchant and relevant quote from the Supreme Court Justice for whom the university is named, as an antidote to recent news items about personages named Thomas and Alito.
Below in its entirety, courtesy of the Brandeis University YouTube channel, is the commencement speech given this year by Ken Burns. If you open the video in YouTube, you can click below it to display a transcript that accompanies his speech. It’s not well formatted for copying and pasting, and I am doing this right now when I should be elsewhere, so please forgive me for cutting this corner. I have, however, taken an excerpt, the “money quote” if you will, to share here.
The presumptive Republican nominee is the opioid of all opioids, an easy cure or what some believe is the solution to our myriad pains and problems.
When in fact with him, you end up re-enslaved with an even bigger problem, a worse affliction and addiction, "a bigger delusion", James Baldwin would say, the author and finisher of our national existence, our national suicide as Mr. Lincoln prophesies.
Do not be seduced by easy equalization. There is nothing equal about this equation. We are at an existential crossroads in our political and civic lives.
This is a choice that could not be clearer.
I am no fan of commencement speeches, but this is one for the history books. I have always admired Mr. Burns, and this speech has only intensified that. And I have never been more proud of my graduate alma mater.
I won’t be caretaking this extensively, unfortunately I have a packed couple of days ahead of me, but I’ll pop in later in the day, likely in the evening.
Edit in: considering the times, and Mr. Burns’ body of work, this belongs here.
Quick update between errands: Many thanks to Bakeneko for this link Undergraduate Commencement Address by Ken Burns and to NoMoJoe for letting us know it existed.
Also thanks to all, I see this is on Trending. I’ve tried to rec everyone who commented and will try to give a TY or :-) to at least a few of you before I run away again.
As a side note, I see that Mr. Burns is wearing Doctor’s bars. Thus, Dr. Burns should be imputed in all instances ;-). Whether honorary or pre-career, he wears them well.