As the summer of 2024 approached, many were hoping that this would be a pleasant transition, finally escaping the long shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic that has disrupted our lives for years. College and high school seniors looked forward to celebrating their accomplishments with family and friends at graduation ceremonies. Instead, for many young people, this moment is filled with anguish, anger and activism over the recent tragic events of protests against racial injustice and the Gaza conflict.
The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated deep-rooted inequalities in our society. Low-income communities and people of color have suffered disproportionately from the virus itself and the resulting economic devastation. Arundhati Roy's work “The Pandemic as a Portal” highlights how the lockdown has led to a humanitarian crisis as millions of migrant workers have become unemployed and homeless, forced to walk hundreds of kilometers to their home villages. She contrasts the plight of these workers with the government's actions, which have downplayed the severity of the virus and focused on political maneuvering. Despite this grim situation, Roy sees the pandemic as a potential catalyst for change, describing it as a “portal” between one world and the next. She argues that the virus has exposed flaws in our current system and provides an opportunity to “rethink the doomsday machine we have created for ourselves.” The crisis was an opportunity to break with the past and imagine a new world in which we must be ready to fight and seize this moment of change.
And now, as a semblance of normality begins to return, we are once again faced with the conflict in Gaza. With many of the students being the first in their families to attend college, this would be a time of hard-earned celebration. They have endured online classes, quarantine, illness, loss of loved ones, financial struggles, and mental health challenges to reach the milestone of graduating from college. But now, their joy has turned to pain as they absorb the latest headlines and viral videos of black lives cut short and nationwide protests on college campuses. As the possibility of damage and confusion increases due to false information, it is of utmost importance to create a fair and equitable information environment. In her groundbreaking study, “Algorithms of Suppression,” Safiya Noble highlights how commercial interests shape outcomes and how the profit-driven nature of search companies influences what information is surfaced and prioritized, often at odds with accuracy, diversity, and social value. Emphasize whether you make sacrifices. responsibility. The potential for harm increases and misinformation creates high levels of confusion and uncertainty that impact the current graduating class.
On a pre-scheduled weekend, many of them were scheduled to walk across the stage in caps and gowns and march through the streets demanding justice and an end to violence in Gaza. The signs they carried named the lives that had been stolen, lives that mattered and should have been celebrated at graduation. The same strength and resilience that propelled our students through the pandemic is now powering their righteous demands for change. The late best-selling author Randall Robinson financial obligation, Advocacy and activism are key to achieving significant changes in justice, he suggested, which requires sustained pressure from social movements and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
It is very disappointing to see another generation once again risking their dreams and happiness to take on the burden of demanding the basic human rights and dignity they have been denied for far too long. Haven't they already had to grow up too quickly and endure trauma that no young person should ever experience? Now, instead of enjoying graduation, they must grapple with the grim reality of racism, confront their vulnerabilities, and fight for a fearless future. But amidst the grief, there is tremendous pride and hope. These young voices represent our future, where transformational change is possible. They have already demonstrated resilience, adaptability and commitment to their communities. The courage they have shown in the face of the global pandemic will serve them well in the long fight for justice.
Class of 2024, you have already overcome a lot. Even though your graduation day is shrouded in collective sadness, your accomplishments still shine brightly. You are powerful beyond measure. As you move forward, know that your teachers, family, and community celebrate you. This is not the graduation they deserve, but the beginning of the life's work to which they have been called. At this critical moment, we must decide what kind of nation we want to be. Our graduates are ready. The question is, do we?
Dr. Jerell Hill is Dean of the School of Human Development and Education at Pacific Oaks College.