Graduating high school seniors that have even the slightest hint of the reality of what is happening in the world around them are few and far between. At least one, Erica Goldson, valedictorian of Coxsackie-Athens High School, has figured it out.
This speech is worth listening to, and especially in the company of your children if you have any. This should be required Youtube watching for all American teenagers (and adults, for that matter).
Between these cinder block walls we are all expected to be the same. We are trained to ace every standardized test. And, those who deviate and see light through a different lens, are worthless to the scheme of public education, and therefore viewed with contempt.
…
I am now enlightened, but my mind still feels disabled. I must retrain myself and constantly remember how insane this ostensibly sane place really is.
And now here I am in a world guided by fear, a world suppressing the uniqueness that lies inside each of us, a world where we can either acquiesce to the inhuman nonsense of corporatism and materialism or insist on change. We are not enlivened by an educational system that clandestinely sets us up for jobs that could be automated, for work that need not be done, for enslavement without fervency for meaningful achievement.
We have no choices in life when money is our motivational force. Our motivational force ought to be passion, but this is lost from the moment we step into a system that trains us, rather than inspires us.
We are more than robotic bookshelves, conditioned to blurt out facts we were taught in school. We are all very special, every human on this planet is so special, so aren’t we all deserving of something better, of using our minds for innovation, rather than memorization, for creativity, rather than futile activity, for rumination rather than stagnation? We are not here to get a degree, to then get a job, so we can consume industry-approved placation after placation. There is more, and more still.
The saddest part is that the majority of students don’t have the opportunity to reflect as I did. The majority of students are put through the same brainwashing techniques in order to create a complacent labor force working in the interests of large corporations and secretive government, and worst of all, they are completely unaware of it. I will never be able to turn back these 18 years. I can’t run away to another country with an education system meant to enlighten rather than condition.
This part of my life is over, and I want to make sure that no other child will have his or her potential suppressed by powers meant to exploit and control. We are human beings. We are thinkers, dreamers, explorers, artists, writers, engineers. We are anything we want to be – but only if we have an educational system that supports us rather than holds us down. A tree can grow, but only if its roots are given a healthy foundation.
Excerpted from graduation address by Erica Goldson – June 25, 2010
Transcript Sourced via Lew Rockwell
Hat tip Zero Hedge
Pretty Awesome – great critical thinking and wise beyond her years. You can bet Homeland Security (the alphabet agency) will be all over her.
The sad thing is, I bet you’re right. Hope she doesn’t run into any snags while trying to get student loans from Uncle Sucker.
Oh, they are! I’ve been following this chick for a year. She and NetRanger are fairly well acquainted.
You should see the crap she has to endure on her web site. People claiming she’s a slacker. People saying she’s not paying her fair share, etc, etc.
Her web site is http://americaviaerica.blogspot.com
Stop in and tell her Hello! …and that NetRanger sent you.
I am glad that she is attractive.., if not, this might not got any attention.
Very impressed with her speech, WELL SAID!!!!!
I am also WORTHLESS and held in CONTEMPT.
I will do that – those of us thinking out of the box need to nurture and support the next future generation. I’ll tell her you sent me.
Wow, so young and yet so mature, so informed and someone who takes the time to think on their own and not fall for the “how to think” system that is in place.
One less sheeple in this world.
If her generation can see the light, then this country can be great once again in a few short decades.
The sad thing is that her comments on the current educational system will be completely lost on most of those listening. Her teachers were taught in soclialist programs that were designed to retrain the teacher so they can retrain our kids. It is a fact that the current teacher training in universities was set up by socialists that had a view of changing this nation by quietly retraining our kids. And it is being supported by the Federal Dept of Ed with the same agenda. Texas has tried to keep our text books more centrist and less socialist but Calif has gone to the dark side and they are the 2 largest states. Our text books are determined by their needs.
im surprised she didnt get hauled off the stage and put under arrest.
She probably would have if the drones in charge of the school had been listening. If they were the ones behind her, they were talking through the whole thing.
Very nicely put, I myself having graduated two years ago, i can say I felt the same way throughout school. It takes some major cajones to actually say a speech like that to everyone. She gets it.
It gives me more hope for my generation. People have to learn that you have a choice as well. If you don’t like it, change it. A good way to make enemies, but nothing worth doing is ever easy. A+ for making people realize what’s going on.
Didn’t know anarchist reproduced…..j/k
The problem with intelligent, idealistic people is they oftem end up living under bridges.
They “middle” Keys on your own island with a boat in the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic, depending on which side of your island you slip under 7 mile bridge. Insurance is tuff, if you play that game but there’s always corp. flood insurance. Mile marker…
j/k : Wake up ! Your missing IT..! RNR..
That’s a good one lol
look at the audience no one was listening to her they are all sheep..too bad her message fell on such deaf ears
More like “dead ears”. Sleeping people have the possibility of waking up. Most sheeple are “dead men walking”.
Sadly, most people won’t wake up until the “brown shirts” start knocking down their doors.
Those “dead ears” were exactly whom she was addressing.
and THAT my friends is the sign of good parenting (lol)
Somebody pointed her in the right direction to think for herself.
Sieg Heil! This kind of thinking is Verboten! This child will be arrested by the Thought Police (Homeland Security).
I give her MUCH credit for being brave amongst Sheep!
In a nation of sheep one brave person forms the majority.
Niiiice!
Reread her fourth paragraph. She (just like obama) is not actually saying anything specific. I believe you are reading something into what she is saying that you want to hear.
I didn’t know she was the president, but I did stay at the holiday inn last night.
Cimerian, looks like you are selectively reading into things. PERCEPTIONS ARE REALITY.. this fits into the whole story, so don’t rely on paragragh.
Respectfully.
If obama had given this speech you would be just as outraged as you are now overjoyed.
The printed part of this speech is 7 paragraphs. She says “I” 7 times.
She claims to be a victim several times claiming only her uniqueness saves her from being one of “you”, the poor wretched masses.
She sounds like a NWO liberal elite in training.
Didn’t enough people fall for this drivle when it poured from obamas mouth during the campain?
Indeed, you are right.
If she went against the school policy, she wouldn’t be a valedictorian to begin with!
So, she co-opted with the system to start with. Given a little more training by the right people, she will be in a very secure road to the Congress.
What Congress? Theres not gonna be a Congress.
And, those who deviate and see light through a different lens, are worthless to the scheme of public education, and therefore viewed with contempt. ~ As many of here can confirm, it doesn’t change after one leaves ‘school’……
+1 I am also in contempt.
Bravo, Erica. THEY CAN BE TAUGHT!
Simian…I mean cimerian,
I read the passage above, and I don’t get why you think she’s an elitist. What she said is true; we all do have the capacity for greatness (at least, I know I do. I don’t know about you). We are being supressed by TPTB. So, what did I miss?
The root cause of our corrupt education and political system is the bankers—-solve that problem you solve the republics problem.
Here is an excellent video that sums up the criminal bankers and their current situation quite nicely.
http://dont-tread-on.me/can-you-feel-it-coming/
All it take is one shining light to stand against the odds. It’s contagious…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OibqdwHyZxk
+10000, whenever someone is complaining about being free to be artists, dreamers, etc, it is usually a red flag for liberalese. Society cannot survive if everyone just writes poetry, makes sculptures, etc, etc. n even the most simple societies, most people have to WORK to survive, without hunting, gathering, clothes making, wood gathering, etc on a daily basis, poof……….
Anonymous says: you wrote:
“whenever someone is complaining about being free to be artists, dreamers, etc, it is usually a red flag for liberalese. Society cannot survive if everyone just writes poetry, makes sculptures, etc, etc. n even the most simple societies, most people have to WORK to survive, without hunting, gathering, clothes making, wood gathering, etc on a daily basis, poof………”
That is very true, HOWEVER, the problem we have now is taht nobody is free to pursue ANYTHING. If I want to start a small business, I have to compete against public corporations that can deliberately lose money on the backs of their shareholders and debt holders (a.k.a. Amazon). If I want to invest in real estate, I have to compete against the corrupt REITS (financed by the banks) that can lose money on the backs of their shareholders and debt. I could go on and on, but the reality is it is NOT JUST THE lefties that have been destroyed by our corrupt banking system—-left or right, we are all affected and the greed has not political theology other than money and power.
The whole left vs right is mainly manufactured by the corrupt oligarch to keep us fighting amongst ourselves while they loot and enslave us.
Another know it all self proclaimed “genius” …ws, you should be comfortable here with the likes of dk, etc.
Yeah, yeah, we are all stifled by gov…no shit!!! But she is not including capitalism positively in her thought process, she is blaming it, I guarantee it
And no there is a left and right, the oligarch (and the minions who support it in lieu of freedom for the illusion of security) ARE the left. They have created the perfect system for unproductive artist,s dreamers, etc.
This young lady may have the best of intentions, but she is still a product the “liberal” (collectivist) education system and it shows in her rhetoric. She is blaming “capitalism”. (Codeword bakers)without prejudice I.e. crony capitalism is the problem, not free market capitalism. That is the majic trick the lefties, as defined above, always use to fool people, they call for pitchforks,
I agree, a child must learn to sweep the garage before they drive the car, if left to choose the child will certainly wreck the car. Balance, her speech, just like our political views too one sided. Have to admit though, enjoyed the speech.
If I were a CIA operative or so, I would approach her, train her, and make her an excellent operative. Such kind o f dedicated youngster make the best defenders of the system.
BRILLIANT…SIMPLY BRILLIANT!!!!
A small voice shouting in the wilderness. Heard by many, understood by so few.
PO’dpatriot,
Very good!! I am impressed.
Erica, you ROCK!
Wow! Mac, the shills are getting bad. But, they’re easy to spot so I guess it doesn’t matter. Their Kung-Fu is weak. I love the way they try to discredit her by twisting her words and, in turn, your thoughts.
I laugh at thee, shills.
Anyway, Erica is cool. I’ve been watching her blog on and off now for a year or so. She’s impressive. She’s very mature in some ways but still 20 something in many other ways. She has found her footing and does understand the corporate government and how it has screwed the population. It was her that gave me some of my final clue as to how it all works.
She’s amazing.
…and she’s done our society a great favor, much to the shagrin of TPTB.
I stop in on her blog at times just to type, “Go Erica! Go!” just to let her know I’m still watching and praying for her.
She’s the full embodiment of the America Spirit. I hope she survives whats coming.
-NR
Come on Erica! Give us a comment! I know you’re reading…
Its your old buddy NetRanger. Go Erica! Go!
😉
-NR
NR: I love to see that you are cheering her on! What an amazing young lady!
While BO promises more, (half truths) more, the shills vote for more, spends more, inflates more, then wants the corporations taxed more. See anything here, connect the dots. Double courtesy flush at the fund raiser tonight.
I’m absolutely blown away! I will prayer that this talented young women will achieve every goal. Did anyone catch the body language of the students and the audience?
My precious daughter will graduate this year from college. She’s extremely intelligent and a great thinker! (She did not inherit this from me):)
She is aware. She knows that after struggling to graduate that she may not find a job. I pray that she will find a job. She has worked at Arby’s for seven working thru high school and college. She told me that hopefully she will never have to say.. …”you want curly fries with that order”.
I am proud of Erica!!
what is more amazing is that her school counselor/mentor actually let her give the speech as she wrote it. in most schools these days her senior advisor has to look it over and approve it…usually days to weeks prior to graduation. so maybe that school still has a chance..a small one, but a chance nevertheless.
George Carlin:”They want obedient workers. Obedient workers, people who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork. And just dumb enough to passively accept all these increasingly shitty jobs with the lower pay, the longer hours, the reduced benefits, the end of overtime and vanishing pension that disappears the minute you go to collect it,” Rough language in link!!
http://shoqvalue.com/george-carlin-on-the-american-dream-with-transcript
Public high school education is designed to provide individuals a basic competence in reading, writing, math, history, science, and social skills to navigate life in a dynamic society. HS, or college for that matter isn’t designed or intended to unleash human potential.
That is the responsibility of the individual.
Each individual must develop themselves to release their human potential. Its a life long process. It doesn’t stop with high school, university, community college, or trade school.
I have two degrees, and had four professional licenses, yet I pursued more than 1,000 hours of classes and seminars beyond that, prior to an early retirement.
If some topic, subject, field, or specialty sparks your interest or curiosity, good for you; follow your passion. If not, no need to blame a bad educational system for any personal failings.
Life happens and one must learn to grow, to succeed, to achieve their dreams. No one can be taught that doesn’t desire to learn.
Lincoln had a bad public school system by any standard. It didn’t hold him back. Quit blaming the schools, (yes they are bad), quit blaming the corp (yes it is invasive and oppressive), and quit blaing others. If you do not succeed, try again and again and again.
Life will yield to the resolute and determined spirit.
My dad was an optometrist until he was 65 and retired. He got bored quickly, went back to school for the next 6 years and got his doctorate when he was 73. He took one continuing education course per year until 3 months before he passed a way at the age of 85.
It’s never too late!
Daisy: Obviously your dad was a man of vision and set his sights high! 🙂
Durango Kidd you got it on the money.
truly one in a thousand…..
I can tell you right now that the corp won’t like this. They won’t like it one bit. The corp doesn’t want thinkers, the corp wants slaves. The corp will weave their web of lies and get her into the corporation where she will think corporate thoughts that deal with the corp. The corp will find her. Corporatize her and make her part of the corp. She has thought beyond the corp and the corp can’t have that now can they? The corp will get all corpy on her and make her do the will of the corp.
That darn corp!
Go read her blog. She is well nestled in the corp policy and group think.
Read the above speech again. Money should not be our motivation, but instead passion? Nobody starts a business for passion. People start a business to make money doing something they are passionate about or that they can provide that others want. More likely it’s about the money.
Is she in Harvard or Yale ?
Neither. There are 20K+ Valedictorians each year in the U.S. She’s clearly too conformist, and frankly, not smart enough to make it into Stanford or Harvard.
Well the corp may not like it but there are alot of this young ladies kind out there…people from all walks of life and all age groups…square pegs in round holes…rebels,outlaws,mockers of the system and its overlords…we will not be silenced we will not go away quietly into the night,we will not acquiece to the darkness,we will not surrender or shut up….and there are more of us than they want to acknowledge,otherwise they wouldnt take the time to insult us…no institution,no religion,no government,no corporation NO-ONE can crush this spirit…it will prevail! Kudos to this young woman!
“…whenever someone tells me anything: you must go to college, you must buy a home, of course the Revolutionary War was necessary, XYZ religion is the only path to true happiness, I always question it and consider the opposite and the real reasons people are telling me these things.” …
http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/09/nine-ways-to-break-all-the-rules/
Nobody is ever going to take someone seriously who gives a speech wearing a pastrycook’s hat and a slaughterhouse apron. A picture is worth a thousand words. “So what do you want to do with your life now you’ve left kindergarten ?”
“You’ve got two choices.”
Excellent!
“The majority of students are put through the same brainwashing techniques in order to create a complacent labor force working in the interests of large corporations and secretive government, and worst of all, they are completely unaware of it.”
That’s completely idiotic.
I quite enjoyed watching the staff squirm in their seats!
I have to say I was impressed with this speech until I finished it. It’s like BK fries; tasty while you eat them, but they leave a bad taste in your mouth. I must disagree with the young lady on a few points. We are NOT all special. If we are all special, then nobody is special. Get it? Capitalism is a fine system. People rarely start businesses (which can become -horrors!- large CORPORATIONS if they are built as successful models) because of passions. When I opened a business, I did it to make money. Yes, the public school system is a training camp for socialists and programs us to take tests. That is not the problem on which this young lady is building her platform. Reread this. She is crying woe is me just as loudly as every other entitled youth whether newly graduated from a pricey college or suckled lifelong at the welfare teat. She portrays herself as a victim. I’m not buying it.
See how many meals and dresses you can buy with passion as you besmirch the free market system, Dearie. Complain to me of the ills of Capitalist America in ten years when you’re either swilling a Starbucks in your new Audi because you matured, or living in a box behind the Starbucks because you held fast to your I’m-a-victim-of-Corporate-America ideal.
There is something to be said for reaching graduation and having the sack to vocalize dismay at not receiving the classical education one had anticipated at the outset. But put the blame squarely where it lies. Capitalism and Corporate America did not do this to Institutional Education. It was their bastard stepchildren, Cronyism, Socialism, Welfare and Political Correctness that did it. It is incumbent upon each of us as citizens to fix the mess of public education, starting from the ground up, as we are all guilty of complacency, laziness, and feeding the Big Government machine. Of paramount importance is sacrificing the second car and bigger house, and maintaining committed relationships so we can protect and educate our own children, rather than foisting them upon underqualified, overworked, automaton teachers more concerned with their pay and PC than they are with their students. That would correct much of the problem in one generation so we could get back on track more quickly. (And yes, I homeschool because I received a subpar public education from hippies and socialists.) Next, we must educate our fellow Americans so we never again vote in a”community organizer” to make a mockery of patriotism to our very faces as he bleeds our coffers dry, shreds our Constitution and weakens our nation while keeping his voters on the dole. Let’s hope that we can constructively apply our outrage so that soon, no other young ladies will graduate with regret and a distaste for their own country.
Yes, and I love her minimalist approach to noncomformity. The only slightly hairy underarms exude an air of sophistication, and yet still forces one to ask, “Does that mean she isn’t hot?” To which one is replies, “It depends if the curtains are like similar to the drapes”
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSFVfzDZq-g/TnAsxUmZv9I/AAAAAAAAANY/ijUOLAEEtUc/s1600/Wings.jpg
This is not new with this girl. All bright students have experienced similar sentiments, but the really bright make sure they are getting from their schooling what they need to be meaningfully productive. She envisions herself as a breakthrough thinker who will lead lead contemporaries into the brave new world of enlightened umbilical rumination to achieve one’s “special potential” (apparently doodling when you are supposed to be learning). Ask this girl who made her graduation gown, her “darling” white pumps, makeup, hair refurbishments, lip gloss, the auto in which she arrived to the ceremony, etc. If you are in school, get an education that makes you meaningly productive, demand quality education, expunge the deadwood teachers and pay good teacher more. Don’t whine smugly and self-righteously from a podium erected by the pathetic masses not as bright as she imagines herself. Any company who ever contemplates hiring this girl, should watch this first.