Graduation and Political Correctness

Back in the Dark Ages when I was awarded my PhD at MIT, it was in the old Gym, on a hot humid June day and the intent was to get through it fast. It after all was 1971 in the midst of the Vietnam War and protests, bombs, and tear gas was common. So the speaker was the Institute President, saying something clearly forgettable, and the PhDs went up, got their hood, and degree and then back and out. Finished, over, then off with the robes, into shorts, and then cook dinner for the parents in the small apartment ready to be emptied.

Now in 2018, nearly 50 years later there is a separate Doctoral Hooding ceremony with its own politically correct speaker at MIT! Yep, as they note:

The speaker selection process engages MIT faculty and doctoral students to identify an alum whose acumen and professional and personal experience will resonate with new PhDs and ScDs as they embark on their careers. ..... chancellor for academic advancement, chairs the Commencement Committee. “It is exciting to collaborate with our students and faculty, who continue to identify alumni from diverse disciplines and personal backgrounds and whose paths exemplify ways to use the MIT doctorate in rewarding pursuits,” he said. .... Born and raised in Vancouver, ... a member of the Tahltan Nation, an Indigenous people located in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a journalist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and CTV News. While at CTV, she was the original host and co-creator of "First Story," the first news and current affairs series on Indigenous issues to be broadcast nationally in Canada and later syndicated to the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).

 They have managed to get as many possible identity groups as possible! One must ask:

1. How many chancellors does MIT now have! At what cost?

2. Why a separate Hooding Ceremony, just walk up and get both. It is more efficient.

3. The objective that any new graduate should focus on is getting a job! One that is real and makes a difference. How about that for motivation.

4. What of the poor parents who get dragged into this lecture on correctness. Why not have say a successful grandparent give the talk. Like how to make a real difference.

It is amazing that these event proliferate. Oh well, I guess they can all go out to Facebook or Google.