Inspire graduates with storytelling

Culture Matters

Dara E Healy

“Never give up on your dreams.” “You can achieve anything you put your mind to.” “Life is not a destination, it’s a journey.” “Find someone you trust to guide you.” “This is not the end, it’s just the beginning.”

I LOOKED around at the hall filled with students in uniform and parents or guardians dressed in a range of wear ­– from jeans to home clothes and wedding-worthy sparkle. The graduation speech was packed with the clichés above and dozens more. Not surprisingly, many of the students were scrolling aimlessly on their phones. Parents listened politely, while sinking deeper into their seats. I know all of this because I too had stopped listening. Given the realities that young people face, how can we inspire them with a speech?

Graduation is a ritual we devised to honour one period in our life before moving to the next phase. The handing out of prizes, speeches, music, dance and singing are part of celebrating the accomplishments of the young people. But the occasion is also time for reflection and acknowledging mistakes made, or opportunities lost. We are living through another volatile period in global history, so graduation speeches should be realistic about the world that young people are about to step into; a world they are probably already experiencing.

The value of storytelling is now recognised in business, political and other spheres. As a technique for imparting difficult messages, it is as ancient as the griots of Africa, the town criers of Europe or the tales of overcoming adversity from the Nepuyo, Warao and other indigenous peoples. This oral way of communicating is effective because it has a clear structure, incorporating humour, drama and other devices.

The most impactful stories for graduating classes usually focus on overcoming adversity, simply because such stories hold lessons about determination, never giving up and finding coping mechanisms for challenging situations. In our family, there are stories about elders studying by candlelight, toiling on cocoa estates or achieving goals even after being forced to leave primary school.

Inspirational stories about overcoming hardship are everywhere. Have you ever sat in the same class with someone in their 70s or 80s who was deprived of an education? What motivated that person to continue their learning path? There are people who graduated from the university they worked in as a cleaner.

Stories are important, but a central theme makes them even more powerful. In 1962 Dr Eric Williams delivered an impassioned independence speech centred on democracy, human rights and the role of citizens in upholding the values of our constitution. I never really gave any thought to why the prime minister would select these themes; they just seemed appropriate to me.

However, on closer examination of the world at the time, his passion and urgency become clearer. The discovery of Russian missiles in Cuba sparked an international furore known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. White police in South Africa were photographed beating women who were protesting being harassed by police for brewing beer at home, an important income earner in impoverished townships. Photography and videography brought the Vietnam War to the world, a conflict which it is said was started to preserve democracy.

For me, the concepts of civic duty and national pride should be included in any conversation with a graduating class. Civic responsibility goes beyond voting. It involves a sense of responsibility for one’s country, being willing to volunteer, mentor and engage with the community. Such ideas are key to nation building and can help young people to see themselves as integral to the future of their country.

Human rights is another important theme. Too many young people already face some form of discrimination based on their colour, hair, sexual orientation and even disability. Graduation speakers have an opportunity to share critical lessons on these thought-provoking subjects, in a creative and non-preachy way.

It is not an exaggeration to say that being a teenager today is often an act of survival. Life at home may be difficult, school – a minefield. Your mission, as the person delivering the speech on graduation day, is to share stories that will lift them from such realities and inspire them to excel. And, on behalf of parents and guardians who find the resources to make this time special and sit for hours in graduation ceremonies, we also look forward to the inspiration. So please, “think outside the box.”

Dara E Healy is a performance artist and founder of the Indigenous Creative Arts Network – ICAN