The following are words of wisdom from celebrated author, Susan Sontag (1933-2004), spoken at VassarCollege in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. in May 2003, upon receiving an honorary degree…These highlights were sent in by Micky.
Despise violence. Despise national vanity and self-love. Protect the territory of conscience.
Try to imagine at least once a day that you are not an American. Go even further: try to imagine at least once a day that you belong to the vast, the overwhelming majority of people on this planet who don't have passports, don't live in dwellings equipped with both refrigerators and telephones, who have never even once flown in a plane.
Be extremely skeptical of all claims made by your government. Remember, it may not be the best thing for America or for the world for the President of the United States to be the President of The Planet.
Be just as skeptical of other governments, too.
It's hard not to be afraid. Be less afraid.
It's good to laugh a lot, as long as it doesn't mean you're trying to kill your feelings.
Don't allow yourself to be patronized, condescended to -- which, if you are a woman, happens, and will continue to happen, all the time.
Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration's shove or society's kiss on your forehead.
Pay attention. It's all about paying attention. It's all about taking in as much of what's out there as you can, and not letting the excuses and the dreariness of some of the obligations you'll soon be incurring narrow your lives. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.
You'll notice that I haven't talked about love. Or about happiness. I've talked about becoming -- or remaining --the person who can be happy, a lot of the time…
There are no comments for this entry.
[Add Comment]