On this Veteran's day of 2010, I want to thank all who have served. You deserve the pomp and circumstance!
What does that mean...pomp and circumstance? According to dictionary.com it means a "splendid celebration with ceremony and fuss; also, the title of several military marches played at ceremonies, such as graduations".
We completed our last class at Dr. Deal's house on Monday for the quarter with a discussion about how we began with symbol and ended with symbol. Yet I found it ironic that after class when I introduced Denise and Breanna to Dr. Faverty and Dr. Deal, they downplayed the title of Dr., introduced themselves as Patrick and Terry, and even joked about how impressed Denise and Breanna must be to be introduced to doctors.
I am not much into titles either, but I did begin to wonder about the symbolic meaning the title has. I found it ironic that the experts on symbolism were humbly downplaying it when it came to them. Dr. Deal, Dr. Faverty, I want to encourage you to accept the pomp and circumstance. The title Dr. is a daily reminder and celebration of the hard work you have put forth and the contribution you have made to education.
Another example of when pomp and circumstance is so important to me is why I won't attend the high school graduations at Lompoc High. During this what should be wonderful celebration of the graduation of hard working high school students, not only does their behavior offend me (beach balls, throwing panties, passing around a blow up sex doll, ...) but worse than that is how the ceremony is setup.
In addition to the stage, the graduates, and the band, there is a section of school board members who have been dressed with graduation robes and master's degree hoods....hoods that they have not necessarily earned. Then, sitting next to the graduates, teachers have been asked to sit and supervise, wearing a graduation robe, but not allowed to wear their master's degree hood if they have earned one.
I find it degrading to the ceremony to put a hood, a badge, a star, a stripe, or a medal on someone's uniform who has not earned it. I find it equally degrading to ask someone to not make another of lesser rank look bad by not wearing the hood, the badge, the star, the stripe, or the medal that they have earned. When I have completed my doctorate, will they begin dressing the board members in doctoral robes to show they are of higher rank than I?
On this Veteran's day 2010 I am reminded of my appreciation for sacrifice and service. For those of you who have earned hoods, robes, stars, stripes, badges, and medals, wear them proudly. You have earned them. And when anyone asks you to wear a lesser uniform than the one you represent, and the one you have earned, stand firm!
You have earned the pomp and circumstance. Receive it. Take it in. For when you do, you remind others of what they can too accomplish, and you provide them hope. Thank you for giving me hope. Thank you!
No comments:
Post a Comment