The real world was junior high.

The real world was junior high.

by Paul Servelle on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 5:18am

This post was originally delivered by Tom Brokaw as a commencement address at St. Lawrence University on May 22, 2011.

The real world was junior high.

You'll be astonished by how much of the rest of your life will be consumed by the same petty jealousies you encountered in adolescence, the same irrational juvenile behavior, the cliques, the dumb jokes and hurt feelings.

Most of all, remember -- you cannot get through this world alone. You need each other -- and we need you to celebrate one another in a common cause of restoring economic justice and true value, advancing racial and religious tolerance, creating a healthier planet.

We do that by listening and reasoning not by shouting and fighting. Beware of ideological tyranny and uncompromising certainty. Do not become hostage to the orthodoxy of others.

This country was built on big, bold ideas that served the common welfare. We're a democratic republic, not a collection of fiefdoms changing the fundamental rules of governance with every election cycle.

No remarks of mine or parental advice will be adequate substitute for your own determination and commitment to excellence. We're not your GPS system; at best, as commentators and parents, we're road signs. You must find your own way and I have little doubt you will.

On these occasions in the past I've said, "It's easy to make a buck; it's tough to make difference." Then a parent suggested a re-wording: "It's tough to make a buck but if you make a lot of bucks, you can make a big difference." So for a time I offered both observations as a final word.

This year and these times required still another revision:

"It's a lot tougher to make a make a buck but making a difference has its own rich reward."

Go forth and make a difference.

God knows, we need your help.