Erica Goldson Speech

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Below is the v ideo and transcript of the Cox sackie-Athens HS Class of 201 0 v aledictory speech that went v iral
on the web, thus proclaiming me as the 'v aledictorian who spoke out against schooling.'
Here I Stand
Erica Goldson
June 25, 201 0
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There is a story of a y oung, but earnest Zen student who approached his teacher, and asked the Master, "If
I work v ery hard and diligently , how long will it take for me to find Zen? The Master thought about this, then
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replied, "Ten y ears." The student then said, "But what if I work v ery , v ery hard and really apply my self to
learn fast - How long then?" Replied the Master, "Well, twenty y ears." "But, if Ireally, really work at it, how long
then?" asked the student. "Thirty y ears," replied the Master. "But, I do not understand," said the disappointed
student. "At each time that I say I will work harder, y ou say it will take me longer. Why do y ou say that?"
Replied the Master, "When y ou hav e one ey e on the goal, y ou only hav e one ey e on the path."
This is the dilemma I'v e faced within the American education sy stem. We are so focused on a goal,
whether it be passing a test, or graduating as first in the class. Howev er, in this way , we do not really learn. We
do whatev er it takes to achiev e our original objectiv e.
Some of y ou may be thinking, Well, if y ou pass a test, or become v aledictorian, didn't y ou learn
something? Well, y es, y ou learned something, but not all that y ou could hav e. Perhaps, y ou only learned how
to memorize names, places, and dates to later on forget in order to clear y our mind for the nex t test. School is
not all that it can be. Right now, it is a place for most people to determine that their goal is to get out as soon
as possible.
I am now accomplishing that goal. I am graduating. I should look at this as a positiv e ex perience,
especially being at the top of my class. Howev er, in retrospect, I cannot say that I am any more intelligent
than my peers. I can attest that I am only the best at doing what I am told and working the sy stem. Y et, here I
stand, and I am supposed to be proud that I hav e completed this period of indoctrination. I will leav e in the
fall to go on to the nex t phase ex pected of me, in order to receiv e a paper document that certifies that I am
capable of work. But I contest that I am a human being, a thinker, an adv enturer not a worker. A worker is
someone who is trapped within repetition a slav e of the sy stem set up before him. But now, I hav e
successfully shown that I was the best slav e. I did what I was told to the ex treme. While others sat in class and
doodled to later become great artists, I sat in class to take notes and become a great test-taker. While others
would come to class without their homework done because they were reading about an interest of theirs, I
nev er missed an assignment. While others were creating music and writing ly rics, I decided to do ex tra credit,
ev en though I nev er needed it. So, I wonder, why did I ev en want this position? Sure, I earned it, but what will
come of it? When I leav e educational institutionalism, will I be successful or forev er lost? I hav e no clue about
what I want to do with my life; I hav e no interests because I saw ev ery subject of study as work, and I ex celled
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at ev ery subject just for the purpose of ex celling, not learning. And quite frankly , now I'm scared.
John Tay lor Gatto, a retired school teacher and activ ist critical of compulsory schooling, asserts, We
could encourage the best qualities of y outhfulness curiosity , adv enture, resilience, the capacity for
surprising insight simply by being more flex ible about time, tex ts, and tests, by introducing kids into truly
competent adults, and by giv ing each student what autonomy he or she needs in order to take a risk ev ery
now and then. But we don't do that. Between these cinderblock walls, we are all ex pected to be the same. We
are trained to ace ev ery standardized test, and those who dev iate and see light through a different lens are
worthless to the scheme of public education, and therefore v iewed with contempt.
H. L. Mencken wrote in The American Mercury for April 1 924 that the aim of public education is not
to fill the y oung of the species with knowledge and awaken their intelligence. ...
Nothing could be further from the truth. The aim ... is simply to reduce as many
indiv iduals as possible to the same safe lev el, to breed and train a standardized
citizenry , to put down dissent and originality . That is its aim in the United States.
(Gatto)
To illustrate this idea, doesn't it perturb y ou to learn about the notion of critical thinking. Is there really
such a thing as uncritically thinking? To think is to process information in order to form an opinion. But if we
are not critical when processing this information, are we really thinking? Or are we mindlessly accepting other
opinions as truth?
This was happening to me, and if it wasn't for the rare occurrence of an av ant-garde tenth grade English
teacher, Donna Bry an, who allowed me to open my mind and ask questions before accepting tex tbook
doctrine, I would hav e been doomed. I am now enlightened, but my mind still feels disabled. I must retrain
my self and constantly remember how insane this ostensibly sane place really is.
And now here I am in a world guided by fear, a world suppressing the uniqueness that lies inside each of
us, a world where we can either acquiesce to the inhuman nonsense of corporatism and materialism or insist
on change. We are not enliv ened by an educational sy stem that clandestinely sets us up for jobs that could be
automated, for work that need not be done, for enslav ement without ferv ency for meaningful achiev ement.
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We hav e no choices in life when money is our motiv ational force. Our motiv ational force ought to be passion,
but this is lost from the moment we step into a sy stem that trains us, rather than inspires us.
We are more than robotic bookshelv es, conditioned to blurt out facts we were taught in school. We are all
v ery special, ev ery human on this planet is so special, so aren't we all deserv ing of something better, of using
our minds for innov ation, rather than memorization, for creativ ity , rather than futile activ ity , for rumination
rather than stagnation? We are not here to get a degree, to then get a job, so we can consume industry approv ed placation after placation. There is more, and more still.
The saddest part is that the majority of students don't hav e the opportunity to reflect as I did. The
majority of students are put through the same brainwashing techniques in order to create a complacent labor
force working in the interests of large corporations and secretiv e gov ernment, and worst of all, they are
completely unaware of it. I will nev er be able to turn back these 1 8 y ears. I can't run away to another country
with an education sy stem meant to enlighten rather than condition. This part of my life is ov er, and I want to
make sure that no other child will hav e his or her potential suppressed by powers meant to ex ploit and
control. We are human beings. We are thinkers, dreamers, ex plorers, artists, writers, engineers. We are
any thing we want to be - but only if we hav e an educational sy stem that supports us rather than holds us
down. A tree can grow, but only if its roots are giv en a healthy foundation.
For those of y ou out there that must continue to sit in desks and y ield to the authoritarian ideologies of
instructors, do not be disheartened. Y ou still hav e the opportunity to stand up, ask questions, be critical, and
create y our own perspectiv e. Demand a setting that will prov ide y ou with intellectual capabilities that allow
y ou to ex pand y our mind instead of directing it. Demand that y ou be interested in class. Demand that the
ex cuse, Y ou hav e to learn this for the test is not good enough for y ou. Education is an ex cellent tool, if used
properly , but focus more on learning rather than getting good grades.
For those of y ou that work within the sy stem that I am condemning, I do not mean to insult; I intend to
motiv ate. Y ou hav e the power to change the incompetencies of this sy stem. I know that y ou did not become a
teacher or administrator to see y our students bored. Y ou cannot accept the authority of the gov erning bodies
that tell y ou what to teach, how to teach it, and that y ou will be punished if y ou do not comply . Our potential
is at stake.
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For those of y ou that are now leav ing this establishment, I say , do not forget what went on in these
classrooms. Do not abandon those that come after y ou. We are the new future and we are not going to let
tradition stand. We will break down the walls of corruption to let a garden of knowledge grow throughout
America. Once educated properly , we will hav e the power to do any thing, and best of all, we will only use that
power for good, for we will be cultiv ated and wise. We will not accept any thing at face v alue. We will ask
questions, and we will demand truth.
So, here I stand. I am not standing here as v aledictorian by my self. I was molded by my env ironment, by
all of my peers who are sitting here watching me. I couldn't hav e accomplished this without all of y ou. It was
all of y ou who truly made me the person I am today . It was all of y ou who were my competition, y et my
backbone. In that way , we are all v aledictorians.
I am now supposed to say farewell to this institution, those who maintain it, and those who stand with me
and behind me, but I hope this farewell is more of a see y ou later when we are all working together to rear a
pedagogic mov ement. But first, let's go get those pieces of paper that tell us that we're smart enough to do so!
+150 Recommend this on Google
143 comments:
Venus as a boy June 24, 2011 at 1:28 PM
THANK YOU!
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Anonymous July 5, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Good for you for speaking the truth. I'm surprised they let you finish.
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Anonymous December 6, 2013 at 6:14 PM
Same here!
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Bob Francis July 9, 2011 at 4:29 PM
Excellent! A++ My advice for you is to find that goal the Zen master talked about Everyday! Finding your goal is not as easy as one may think, due in large part
because we are not trained to think "outside of the box", as you know. Let your
heart decide what you truly want - you may need, nay, you will need to train your
mind (read: Think and Grow Rich - not necessarily to get rich, but to open your
understanding mind and to train your sub-conscious what and how to think. Your
goal may well be to help the school systems change the way our children are
taught; maybe to have them fully aware of the "real world". I do know that I
wish my kids were more aware, because now that they are in their twenties, they
are wondering what they want to do with their lives.
Blessings and Peace and Love and Joy to you and yours.
Oh PS. - Congratulations on your achievements:)
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Oh PS. - Congratulations on your achievements:)

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Unknown July 11, 2011 at 8:46 PM
I truly believe and feel that this speech has just altered my live in ways that I
cannot fathom right now but hope to discover soon. Absolutely amazing!
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tiberius016 July 16, 2011 at 9:25 PM
You have a privileged place on my tumblr blog (escapethamatrix.tumblr.com)

I'm with you. Let's create a better system of education, economics, and the rest.
Check out this speech by Salman Khan: http://youtu.be/gM95HHI4gLk. Exciting
stuff!!
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Nicole July 19, 2011 at 3:18 AM
As an educator, mother, and human being, I thank you for saying the truth. I am
currently working on my doctorate in Educational Leadership, simply for the
paper that says I'm "smart enough" for people to listen to me. I think like you
think and will be vehemently working on creating a better future for future
generations.
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Kelly Hogaboom July 22, 2011 at 2:10 AM
Thank you so much - you are brave and wiser than many. I could have spoken
these words about my character and accomplishments when I graduated but I
was still busy feeling the only thing important about me was my good-girl testtaker record. Today after many trials and much suffering I'm a happy person
raising (unschooled) kiddos - kids far more self-validated, intelligent, caring, and
brave than I ever was. When I see young people such as yourself speaking out
this way I feel so excited for the new generation. Wonderful stuff.
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Jennifer S. August 15, 2011 at 7:15 AM
I watched your video just now and reposted it a few times. CLEARLY TOTALLY
AWESOME ERICA!!! That was great! I'm very happy you spoke truth. You are
truly very smart to speak up to make people aware. Fucking awesome! I went
through college working the whole time and taking honors classes and when I got
out all that praise didn't mean anything because I suddenly became and
indentured servant who had to work off her $30,000 school loans.
I have had to work shitty office jobs making advertising propaganda for shitty
money-centered non-humanistic people all so I can just get to what I love which
is art. I'm so glad there are people your age smart enough to wake other people
up so this system gets reorganized. Education should be FREE for anybody who
wants to learn and it should be structured differently to bring out people's real
true talents.
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Jennifer S. August 15, 2011 at 8:11 AM
When I hear the quote, "FREEDOM isn't FREE" it kinda makes me wonder... Then
what is it actually? Isn't "freedom" actually a self-defining adjective? This is
like saying "the state of being FREE, COSTS." Well, if something costs, then why
even call it FREE and then tell me it costs?
This is the kind of bullshit that brainwashes stupid people. This is why young
people like you are awesome to make people truly realize they are conditioned
drones until they wake themselves up with self-honesty like you did.
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Anonymous April 17, 2012 at 4:10 PM
Jennifer, The phrase "Freedom isn't free" refers to this country and the
"freedoms" we have compaired to other countries that don't have the
privilages we do. And to keep these freedoms from being taken away
from us by other jelous countries, we have to pay a price. The price being
lives lost keeping the ill intentioned parties, be it whole countries or
bands of thugs, at bay and not on our soil. The price can be high at times
as it has in the past. Granted, some wars, declaired or undeclaired
(unlawful) are started with ulterior motives by certain powerful
global financiers. But our freedom to live the way we desire is slowly
disentergrating under the current government system which has grown
beyond the powers originally intended by our founding fathers. I'm
getting off tract but our freedom does come at a cost.
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Anonymous August 17, 2011 at 10:07 AM
This speech is simply amazing and wonderful...I feel hope when I read
something like this....
The most important thing is being grateful for what/who takes us to the point
where we are now...& the choice to break free from a system that takes away
from the truth & our potential.
THANK YOU
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nice font
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Brenda August 17, 2011 at 3:11 PM
Wonderful speech Erica. I have shared it with many of my home educating

friends. I have been home educating all of my children for many years now
because of the horrible condition of the public schools. My children range in age
of 31 down to 13 now.
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Anonymous August 31, 2011 at 10:09 PM
I'm just a random guy that you will probably never know nor meet. Your speech
was amazing and touching. Thank you.
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deeanyo September 5, 2011 at 5:34 AM
I always thought the same way as you but you actually had the courage to
speak up. The rules of the system is simple, complied with it and you'll have
security whether it be job/family/area you live in. I used to learn and now I
complied because I couldn't find a job without a title. I will still remain the
slave of this system until the system gives me a title that tells me I'm worthy.
Tell me how everything turns out for you after college.
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bimbim September 11, 2011 at 10:16 AM
i found a transcript of your speech last year and posted it on my Notes on

Facebook. i just wanna say thank you for saying what you said. keep doing what
you do.
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The Marxist Farmer September 14, 2011 at 10:53 PM
I herd about your speech at the HS i went to 30 miles west of Albany. Im

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I herd about your speech at the HS i went to 30 miles west of Albany. Im

graduated but i plan to disrupt next years HS gradution at my HS. Any ideas on
how to disrupt a public event?
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Nyrere Steven Norfleet September 16, 2011 at 1:38 PM
You are what I expect of the future. You have instilled so much hope in me that
you cannot fathom. Why? because now I know that I am not the only one who
feels as you feel about the realities of our education system. I always felt that
this world did not fit what it is to be normal,especially considering how we all
begin our lives via the education system. It is a flawed construct that must be
completely revised. Erica, you are a hero in my eyes and don't let anyone else tell
you otherwise. You are a true light bringer. Let your illumination shine on all. I
honor you and may god bless you.
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Anonymous September 17, 2011 at 12:50 PM
As a long time middle school wage-slave, I was thrilled to find that your avantgarde English teacher challenged you to question the point of playing the 'grade
game' in assembly-line schooling. There is a growing understanding among
educators that students, rather than teachers, are best qualified to determine
what they should study and how. My son is 'unschooled' and it is with great pity
and respect for my students that I continuously redirect learning in my
classroom to critical and constructive thinking and collaboration. You have given
us all hope for a future of free thinking and compassionate friends. Thank you.
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I must say that speech blew me away.

A true free thinker.
No matter which road you take you are a winner.
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Erica,
You had the courage to speak the truth, hats off to you.
Come over to zerohedge.com and join in the worldwide informed. We are the
resistance.
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Powerful words... FANTASTIC SPEECH, and a FANTASTIC brain. The

courage it took to call out the establishment is all that is required to truly
succeed.
Good luck to you,
Stranger in Phoenix
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Erica,
I have felt the same way since I was a teenager back in the early seventies. I
have tried my whole life to stay far away from the center of the matrix yet
participate and and carry my own weight in society. The main ways that I have
done this is hold tight to my convictions and own my own business. It is
wonderful and hope inspiring to here one as young and smart as you fearlessly
speak the truth. You have shown me that enlightenment is just barely being swept
under the carpet and may come bursting out at any time. As young as you are, you
are light years ahead of Hilary Clinton and I nominate you as her replacement
effective immediately. Thank you and all the best to you.
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Edward Metz September 18, 2011 at 4:17 PM
Your speech is a dead-on accurate assessment of the Amerikan educational

institution. It is a crying shame that the sheeple have no idea that TPTB has set
the goal of serfdom for all but the elite.
Your
speech
made
it
into
the
ZeroHedge
blog:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/student-loans-hit-all-time-record-one-high-schoolvaledictorian-gets-it
Reply

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Thanks for you wonderful and thoughtful speech! It delivered a little glimmer
of hope on an otherwise stormy day. Good luck on your future endeavors, and keep
on thinking.
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May you always keep this flame lit up inside, and may God bless you in many,
many ways.
Thank you for being truthful to your essence.
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bflowers1 September 18, 2011 at 5:12 PM
Your eyes are open, you must of Swallowed the Red pill! Welcome to the Matrix!
Question Everything! You will wake some up, but there is a sea of Lost out there..
Very good Job on your Speech.. I'm sure most that listened to it, didn't get it
though. It is sad to say, you were speaking over their brain washed minds !
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melo September 18, 2011 at 5:15 PM
wow! erica you totally rock! thanks for telling it exactly as it is, respect, kudos,
and yes love for such a spirited, aware speech. great comments too!
awesome...
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awesome...
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Bleakheart September 18, 2011 at 5:19 PM
I appreciate your speech and agree with much of the unrest about the current
problems.
So I am of an opinion that it is possible to do anything that would help everyone.
But it is not easy and needs to be done in a way everyone can accept and be happy
about.
However, I have heard that those funding acorn or acorn projects have done
rather ill fated projects that have been less than legit. One such example is voter
fraud that was done in town. They were paying people to vote a particular way,
as a quick way to make money. (This was told to me by a trusted friend, and
their word I wouldn't question on such a matter.) So, no I've not first hand but
still. There are things out there that I don't trust about it.
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If only I had heard this speech before spending 23 years in education getting a
PhD !
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Rottenclam September 18, 2011 at 8:04 PM
Right on, Erica! I followed this link from zerohedge.com and gained an even
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Right on, Erica! I followed this link from zerohedge.com and gained an even
deeper appreciation for your speech by being able to read it.
It is really rare for those in your age-group to be questioning (openly) what
many of us older Americans have known for years. The fact that you used your
graduation platform to deliver the message and express those thoughts was
really courageous. Kudos.
I hope a fulfilling future unfolds for you, and that you find yourself in an
occupation that is enjoyable.
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I love you.
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thank you for having the courage & insight to speak your words :)
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Well said and brave in so many ways.
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Do not worry about your own missed opportunities.

You've awoken in plenty of time to listen, discover and enjoy your passions.
Good journey.
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You've got big brass ones, my dear! Outstanding. The fact that you've figured this
out at such a young age, and had the GUTS to say it...I'm speechless.
I'm 39. I look at most teens these days and I'm convinced we're all doomed. You
just made me question that assumption.
You freakin GO girl!
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merizobeach September 19, 2011 at 12:21 AM
PS... Here's the link to you on ZH: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/student-loanshit-all-time-record-one-high-school-valedictorian-gets-it

Three and a half million monthly readers just saw your speech. Well, so far, 20
thousand. :-)
As an aside, ZH permits an unmoderated discussion, and many posters there are
highly disgruntled; please understand that reader comments are sometimes
vicious in a manner that may seem unprovoked or unwarranted, and sometimes
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vicious in a manner that may seem unprovoked or unwarranted, and sometimes

there are unserious cruelties just for the sake of a laugh. If somebody calls you
a 'valley girl', brush it off. Or bite them in the neck.
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Giordano Bruno September 19, 2011 at 8:43 AM
I am grateful to zero hedge for our introduction. Hi and thank you for many
things but especially for sharing your gifts. As a father of three, the daily
struggle to awaken my "comatose" children is raging. A light like yours is both
uplifting and reassuring that there can be more than a world of "iPurchase,
therefore i am".
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A time not too distant in the past, I was a valedictorian as well. You've
performed a speech that I've only ruminated about in my head during my younger
times. As you know, being intelligent and young, the world often has a way of
defying logic.
I tend to think those who are able see the sea of possibilities standing on the
docks of reality often experience a deep disconnect. The more you understand of
the world, you will see that change happens, much like the sea. To the naked eye
and one sparkling with intensity, it is maddeningly slow. But to the weathered
gaze, it is powerful as it is vast.
Here's the thing: for many, there will always be a disconnect, as well there
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Here's the thing: for many, there will always be a disconnect, as well there
should be. As the world shifts in its own reality, so will the ideals of
possibilities. The trick is to not become burdened at the perceived gap, but to look
at with hope of what could be. This trick often goes by another name, which is
that of patience.
I wish you the best with your future and especially in dancing.
I leave you with this last bit, a commencement speech by David Foster Wallace:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5THXa_H_N8
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I showed this speech to my father and all he said was "just another jewish girl
reading a speech written by her father"... I was speechless...
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I have posted your comments on facebook and passed it around to so many of my

friends and family and so too have they. Everyone is inspired by your speech. Many
people seem afraid that our youth have lost their way in this labyrinth of a world
we have created but you give us great hope that some of our youth are in fact
"waking up" to their true potential. There are many of us who support what you
said and we wish you great success and happiness in your future in addition to
what you want for the world around you.
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Anonymous September 21, 2011 at 4:22 AM

Brava, brave one!
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allan portman September 21, 2011 at 7:46 AM
I am so lucky that a friend posted this enlightened speech on my Facebook Profile

page! This is the perfect outlook for a young woman or man and gives me a sliver
of hope for mankind. If all young people are thinking you do Erica, and they are
really waking from the slumber of our failing system, the United States will
become a better place to live. The education system may be flawed, but seems to
have taught you very well. Give your parent or parents or whomever raised you
an A++, too. They/him/her probably had a major impact bringing you out of the
darkness and into the light, but that one English teacher who you said enlightened
you, give her the credit for the success you're going to certainly find in a social
world. I believe when going into college, you'll escape the matrix even more so,
there's a lot more enlightenment in front of you, you're one of the few who have
both eyes open. Use your knowledge for the good of mankind, and I promise, you
can only receive blessings so GIANORMOUS, that you'll constantly be looking for
ways to continue kindness.
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Yes! The youth of our great NATION IS ALIVE! Beautiful words young lady!
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Yes! The youth of our great NATION IS ALIVE! Beautiful words young lady!
We are awake....
Ask questions, demand answers! Love it!
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Mary G. September 23, 2011 at 2:44 PM
I have printed this speech out and saved it to my pc. I want my daughter and son
to read these inspiring words sometime in the future when they can comprehend
the full meaning behind this! I was never validictorian nor would I ever have
been because your thoughts have been my thoughts while I was growing up.
However this made me rebellious in my teenage years and didn't want to and was
not interested in school anymore. When I dropped out I was on the honor roll my
junior year of high school. What was really a disappointment is when I actually
did put some effort into my work I did fantastic and a teacher actually gave be
a B- and wrote the comment on the top of my paper "Who wrote this???" meaning she
didn't believe I had the potential to write a paper like that myself and I
remember it to this day it was a paper on Beowulf. After such incidents kept my
motivation down I said enough of this. I went and got my GED which I passed
with flying colors just to get out of that wretched enviroment called school! I
praise you for your courage, wisdom and knowledge. Being able to speak your
mind even when you know you will be criticized is one of the hardest things a
person can do! God Bless and I wish you a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment!
You have made a difference in this world!
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Mirri October 25, 2011 at 6:12 PM

I Loved it. Great!! Rock on!
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Ian_Kirk November 5, 2011 at 4:44 AM
At the age of 31 I discovered that many of the philosophies that I was taught in
our public schooling system where about creating worker bee's not free thinkers.
It is amazing to me to see a young lady be so aware that she discovered in in half
the time. I have a new saying to tell people now when they ask me what I do, I
can respond, "I'm unschooling myself"
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Maybe Meme November 8, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Internet helped liberate me from the confines of the system as well.

My father had me online in 1994 when I was 11. By the time I was 16 I had begun
learning my interests almost exclusively online in my schools library via the
addition of broadband internet.
As a result of skipping my English class for two weeks, to attend films at the
cinema which had greater importance to me, I was let go from the class. I was
re-positioned more appropriately into another English class with a socialist
leaning mentor, who liked to show films in class. I don't ever remember being
consulted about this move, or my parents ever being called by the school.
However, I suspect that somebody worked in my interest to place me there, as
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However, I suspect that somebody worked in my interest to place me there, as

when I arrived I encountered the privilege to do what I wanted, and to discuss
with other thoughtful learners our interests.
Political Economy, Nutrition, IT (web dev and networking) mostly.
I still showed up to my psychology class (the only interesting one I had, thanks
in a large part to the mentor at the front of it), and went to history class once in
a while to debate my teacher on the merits of American Imperialism.
In so doing, I became the only friend of an Iranian boy named Mohammad, who
I am friends with today (even though he was deported to Iran after 9/11)
Mohammad was more studious in class than I, aiming to please his parents who
were more strict than I. Although, he did skip class with me a few times to
learn alongside me in the library, where I could usually be found mon-fri from
9am-6pm, long after everyone else had gone home. Mohammad and I skipped class
one time to attend a lecture at SFU by one of the humanitarian co-ordinators of
Iraq as well.
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Maybe Meme November 8, 2011 at 11:51 PM
It was as though those learners who couldn't be led with a carrot and stick,
were amalgamated into thus one class. One day I arrived at class, to discover a
film being shown which had a BIG impact on me at the time. It was the Julia
Roberts film about the story of Erin Brockovich, who led and won the largest
class action law suit in American history, for the cover up by PG&E of the cancer
causing chemical contamination of the drinking water of a rural California
community.
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After being graduated without completing 3/4's of my classes by a high school

councilor who simply gave me a "standing grant" in the areas I had no completed,
I went onto work in IT while learning on the job, as a courier of organic
groceries where for a year while listening to auido-books and university lectures
from the teaching company. I got into personal development, NLP, and sales at
this time as well. I landed a job a in IT again, while also working as a
commissioned sales person utilizing the skills in interpersonal communications
(NLP) I pulled from the internet. I sold 90% of the dept's software, and was
promoted to sales. There I met the executive assistant to the CEO of the company
who was 4 years older than myself. We began dating, and eventually I adopted
her son, who had significant challenges as a result of abuse they suffered in the
past.
Her son expressed that he was not happy with school. At the time I was living
with the founder of selfdesign.com's son, in his co-operative home he set up when
he was 20. He himself was adopted, and the relationship he had with his father I
modeled whilst contracting with the Self Design program as a means of income
and learning.
I further mentored with the founder from the age of 24-27. We also placed our
son in his learning program and I have been home learning with him up and until a
few days ago, when he decided to try public school again.
He's now in a happy loving relationship with his mother, curious and motivated and
passionate about several interest: marine biology, engineering, acrobatics, etc.
Part of his desire to join, were the new changes to the public system in BC that
we heard about two weeks ago...bcedplan . ca
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Isaac Asimov, one of my cherished mentors, long ago said this day would come...
the day when we the entire planet would have their own personal learning
machine.... youtube dot com /watch?v=CJAIERgWhZQ
My mentor Joel Bellenson, facebook dot com/equalwatts ) whose company first
annotated and sequenced the human genome, pointed out a while ago to me that
personal learning is a phenomena that works well currently for the wealthy. But
also, has found an exponential historical trend in solar power, whereby the price
has been dropping 75% / decade, since ~1940. Extrapolating out, this means the entire
planet will be solar by 2030 and exceeding 400% of our current energy consumption
globally. As we sit currently, Moore's law is bringing us computer power
doublings every 18 months, and solar cost reduction and growth is pumping right
alongside of it. Africa is being wired, both by wired and wireless internet. A NA
1995 internet moment is beginning on the continent, and soon the globe will be one
machine programmed and operated by US.
youtube dot com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE
wired dot co dot uk/news/archive/2011-11/04/get-rich-move-to-africa
It's an excting time to be alive.
But let us not forget, that the global south/China are still far less developed, and
only by advocating for an Equal Watt's revolution globally, will we provide the
material conditions necessary for global personal learning mediated by internet,
let alone pull the planet out of cyclical generational economic crises and war.
The biggest question I never got a satisfactory answer to in school. Was why did
the great depression happen, and could it again?
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the great depression happen, and could it again?

Reply
Anonymous November 15, 2011 at 4:20 PM

I agree, with what you said...
Reply

I didnt get it but it was cool
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lol
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I hope that you also inspire school administrations to change things for future
generations :)
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julian December 1, 2011 at 7:09 PM

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julian December 1, 2011 at 7:09 PM
the best of my public school education, as i remember it, was the affirmation of
my intermittent dissent by those on the margins of the school (who stood against
the common denominator). for brief moments, i subjectivized and reclaimed my
education as a result of this dialectical movement. what will happen if this vision
materializes or comes to any sort of systemic fruition? will a monolith of open
minded folk stride forth across the earth hand in hand, empowering creativity and
crushing epistemological oppression?
those who are now empowering us (the youth) from the blurred and
disenfranchised margins of the school (like her avant garde teacher) might very
well become the oppressors, forcing themselves and their subjective vision (once
the subjective vision of the underdog, now the objective, common denominator) upon
the youth.
i am a cynic where process is concerned in the application of the principles
necessary for the coming-into-being of this vision, respectfully, erica, although i
do cheer for your brazenness and courage.. i would NOT have had it in me to do
this!!! dissent is potent when it comes from the fringes.. (like this speech).
when it is institutionalized, standardized, and diffused, i believe it may lose its
potency. :)
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Nikki W March 4, 2012 at 2:35 PM
I just saw this on a friend's facebook page today. Way to go girl! I wish I had
known this before feeling like a giant failure for not wanting to go to college
after high school. Even though I never got a college or university degree my
learning never stopped. I am constantly teaching myself about things that
interest me and now, as a mother, will be homeschooling my daughter.
Reply
Gabriel March 20, 2012 at 10:27 PM
Erica, I hope one day you come back to this blog to see what seeds have sprouted.
It seems your speech is making some rounds lately, it popped up on my FB feed
so I was inclined to check it out. It reminds me of a farewell speech I made
over the PA on my last senior day, though I was just cracking at the surface of
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over the PA on my last senior day, though I was just cracking at the surface of
what was wrong with our system. It'd take me a solid year to figure out the
problem extends to the very root of elementary. I've taken a few years off from
school and I've decided to return to an engineering course of study, though I
dipped my toe in economics with the intention of studying education and history as
well. I realized that I can accomplish that outside of school while learning
engineering, something I'm truly gifted and interested in. I have some projects in
mind and if you ever meander this way I'd love to bounce some ideas off of you.
They're along the lines of economic rejuvenation, fostering creativity, and
networking ideas. It's minds like yours, that have been freed from a contagious
apathy, that are instrumental in steering the direction of our new systems. You
have an invaluable perception. I'll check back.
Reply
Elisabeth (Bee) Drachenberg March 28, 2012 at 12:20 AM
Thank you SO much for sharing this with the world. The education system is in
MUCH need of transformation, all over North America, and your message is VERY
timely! I am a homeschool mom of four brilliant kids and very, very proud to be!
Your speech was full of wisdom and grace and, well, it took guts girl! You GO! :)
Reply
Anonymous March 30, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Very well said....and sooo true. I am angry and annoyed that this is what has
become of education. It is a complete misuse of the word!! The word "education"
means "to draw out"...not fill with useless facts and information just to be tested
on it later. Educators need to seek what is inside of each student and help them
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on it later. Educators need to seek what is inside of each student and help them
use their passion to find meaning in their own lives...ahh, that would be nice!!
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Wow. You have balls, girl.
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you speak the truth! Sadly the system has nearly destroyed that creative and
adventurous mind i hold so dear but I'll be graduating high school in a month and
then I can start anew!
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kacruiser May 2, 2012 at 12:06 AM

Wonderful speech!
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Magenta May 6, 2012 at 8:51 PM

Bravo!!!! you go girl!
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Anonymous May 7, 2012 at 12:41 PM
A very true statement about global educational system not only in America but
worldwide. I had exactly the same feeling while leaving the university with a
diploma in my hand.
I have become a teacher thanks to my chosen path at the university. Now I don't
want to do it anymore because 90% of what I teach is a complete rubish a waste
of time of everybody present.
Wake up people school is not everything, in fact your mind will better of without
the indoctrination of the education system.
We need to know about our heritage as human species, about our place in the
universe not about all the silly wars that we fought between each other.
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Brainwashed5150 May 12, 2012 at 3:31 AM
I can only hope that you in all of your insight have continued to learn more of
what matters and have found a path in the ideals of Dr. Paul. If not, well,
"Ideas spread, you can't stop them. An idea whose time has come cannot be
stopped by any army or any government!"~Dr.Paul
Dr. Paul knows of the problems in the education system and believes that the
Department of education is part of the problem. He wants to get rid of the Dept.
of Ed. and get America's schools back on track.
Of course there are many other ideas that will help restore America, please look
them up, if you haven't already.
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Bookmom June 1, 2012 at 6:52 PM
You're right on the mark, and you said it very well. I know it's a year later now.
I couldn't wait for the system to be fixed, so I chose to homeschool my kids.
They are freeform learners who question everything!
I wish I had the answers for how to reform the education system. There is so
much money at stake, and the teacher's union really doesn't want it changed.
Reply
Anonymous June 8, 2012 at 3:15 PM

Yes! Perfectly said!
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Andrew Gatt August 26, 2012 at 10:25 PM
I enjoyed your speech. I think you might under-value much of what you have
learned during your time at C-A. Yes, some classes surely placed too much
emphasis on memorizing facts that would soon be forgotten, but you could not
have done so well if you hadn't also been able to learn some skills that will be
useful to you later on. I bet you can read a complicated passage and determine
what is truly important. I bet you can look over a classmate's lab report and
figure out where he/she went wrong. I'm sure there are many other skills that
you have sharpened during your endless hours at school, but there is one minor
skill that you obviously haven't learned. That skill is the selection of readable
fonts. Yes, the script font looks cute, but it is such a chore trying to read the
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fonts. Yes, the script font looks cute, but it is such a chore trying to read the
comments that others have left above. Perhaps the school system has failed you
after all...
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^^^YES!
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Bowen Ng February 13, 2013 at 5:49 PM
"But now, I have successfully shown that I was the best slave. I did what I
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"But now, I have successfully shown that I was the best slave. I did what I
was told to the extreme. While others sat in class and doodled to later become
great artists, I sat in class to take notes and become a great test-taker. While
others would come to class without their homework done because they were
reading about an interest of theirs, I never missed an assignment. While others
were creating music and writing lyrics, I decided to do extra credit, even though
I never needed it."
You're way to humble. Even though you were a slave, you were still hardworking.
And the other people who didn't work hard in school most likely were goofing off
rather than composing music or learning things on their own. Of course a few
may have done those things, but not many. Better to be a hardworking slave than to
be a lazy freeman.
Reply
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Krepta March 9, 2013 at 3:32 PM
I totally loved your awesome speech, I think you are So Right! I was the round
peg that never fit into the square hole at school, no matter how hard they banged
away at me. I'm autistic, and my particular place on the spectrum means I'm
high functioning with Asperger's, but that doesn't mean the school was an
environment in which I could ever have excelled. Far from it. I loved learning,
but hated school. If only they had fostered my genuine love of learning and
helped me, rather than try to beat me into the shape they wanted.
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Mani Sheriar April 3, 2013 at 12:18 PM
You are an INSPIRATION! I thank you deeply for your courage to speak out
and the beauty with which you did so. I am a mom who unschools her teenage son
and I am so grateful for your speech. It was uplifting and filled me with
HOPE!
Thank you!!!
Reply
Anonymous April 20, 2013 at 9:11 AM

thank u.. thank u...
Reply
Aldilah Ap April 20, 2013 at 9:27 PM

I have to share it. thank you!
Reply

Anyone feels the irony?
The rotten education system she condemned was the one that made her capable of
writing this beautiful speech and critical thinking. By the standard of this
'indoctrination' a critical student like her is a valedictorian.
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'indoctrination' a critical student like her is a valedictorian.

Reply
Replies
Douglas Griffin July 15, 2013 at 10:44 PM
No irony in my book. Sure, she may have learned some writing skills and
wide vocabulary. But those things on their own don't lead to joy in
success. There are plenty of people out their who have many skills, but
do nothing with them.
They are sad, angry, depressed, hopeless. Why? Possibly, because they
were never challenged or allowed to discover how to find joy in life.
Anyone, at any stage or status of life, can wake up and realize that the
state they are in is not the state they want to be in--that they are not
happy. They can realize that they have been led along, instead of receiving
guidance and encouragement to chart their own course, to make mistakes
and learn from them, to discover themselves and what drives them and
gives them joy.
Education should not be all facts and figures. It should also provide an
individual with a tangible sense of self worth, empowerment, and the
knowledge that they can find joy in anything that they choose to do, and
that those things can make a difference. This was her message.
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thanks for inspiring me :)
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Patrick May 13, 2013 at 6:48 AM
Amazing courage! I read this speech every few months and am continually
struck by it. I wish I had heard stuff like this when I was having the life
sucked out of me during my "12 year prison sentence" known as public education.
It's funny, I couldn't tell you the topic of any graduation speech I ever
attended, and that includes the rants of several well-known (and highly paid)
personalities, but I'll remember this speech forever. I hope you are doing well
and wish you the best.
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Ellie Walsh May 13, 2013 at 4:37 PM
Bravo to You! For being the valedictorian? No ... For being true to who you are! For
standing up for what you believe in! You are 100% correct about the purpose of
education .... I am hoping you will go on to teach this so your generation can
indeed make the changes that are necessary!
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A very, very good speech from such a young woman. I am so glad that the public
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A very, very good speech from such a young woman. I am so glad that the public
school system hasn't deceived everyone of it's students. You mentioned some key
points about (Corporations) (Secretive government) and also the end result of the
public school system to create servants of the system rather than critical and
creative thinkers. I would like to encourage you to learn more about the
(Corpratocracy) by reading a book called (CONFESSIONS OF AN ECONOMIC
HIT MAN)by John Perkins and about the (secretive government) AKA "One World
Government" or "The New World Order" if you Google those you will find tons of
evidence. The reason why I tell you this is because it will bring to light the
driving force behind all the things that are happening in the education, financial,
political, medical and even the false religious systems of the world. I would
also like to encourage you to discover the reality of Christian faith in the Bible. I
have been studying it for over 13 years now, and can tell you that most of the
prophesies in it have been fulfilled and only a few left to be fulfilled. Here is a
website of bible related archaeology that proves the Bible is true
wyattmuseum.com and world history also proves that it is accurate to the letter.
The truth in all of this I pray will lead you and others to eternal salvation in
the Kingdom of Heaven, and the fact that the one and only GOD that created all
things Loves You and wants to have a relationship with you now, and in life
everlasting!!! In closing you will find that this world is run by corrupt and
godless men that have no good intent for you or I, their plans are from the enemy
himself, BUT God and His children (believers) win in the end and live forever in
paradise with Him,,,Learn about Gods saving plan for your life in serving Him, and
in the Life to come, and His son JESUS CHRIST that paid the price for our sins
Past Present and future. May God Bless you as you move on in life!!!
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Anonymous July 11, 2013 at 11:17 PM

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Thank you for open my mind...

you just regain the lost spirit for me. and I'm sure there are so many other out
there get what I've got from your wonderful speech. Thank you
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Thank you. You just said everything I felt my entire life in school. I was
fortunate enough to have the teacher you described in 1st and 2nd grade. She
taught us to think, not memorize. By the time I reached high school I could have
taught every class I took. It was the same BS as the year before with a little
extra added in and it was disheartening to the point that I gave up. I chose to
take in all of life had to offer those four years instead of mindless memorization
and regurgitation and had the best four years of my life. I am now 40 and regret
not molding to the institutionalization of the education system simply because of
the benefits that would have came along with it (better paying jobs...etc). But I
will never regret having truly lived like I never will be able to again. Bless you
for having the guts to stand up and say this. I wish more young people like you
would stand for what they believe just as you have called for them to do.
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Let's go for it!
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meow in a hat
July 16, 2013 at 2:45 AM
Thank you for voicing it out for us (or me at least). Till this very day, I'm still
lost.
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WOW!!
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Just
so
you
know,
someone
created
a
comic
http://zenpencils.com/comic/123-erica-goldson-graduation-speech/
out
of
this:
Reply
Laura July 16, 2013 at 8:55 AM
As an educator, I cannot applaud this enough. This is basically what a lot of

schools have reduced students to, without even realizing it.
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Annie Purple July 16, 2013 at 11:41 AM

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Annie Purple July 16, 2013 at 11:41 AM
Please tell your graphic designer that the comments font is very, very difficult
to read.
I definitely agree with the speech to a large extent but not completely. When I
was 15, I had the same thoughts, especially being in IB and having to cram my
high school courses alongside first year university courses, then passing two sets
of standardized tests (one provincial and one international). Life felt quite bleak
and pointless. But we're young, and the world is an exciting place. Yes, the world
may put rules around you to try to coop you in, to try to restrain you, so it is our
job to break free of these boundaries. We're all the same on the inside. Don't feel
like you're more enlightened than anyone else. You might be the one to put it into
words, and it resonated immensely within everybody because it's something we all
feel.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that institution does NOT control you life. You
control your life. You may choose to have it clip your wings or you can become a
bystander. Experience the restraint in order to fly out and seek new freedoms.
You're your own person now. The world is a big place, there are lots to see, lots
to experience, and lots to do.
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I too am an educator and I couldn't agree more with this speech and assessment
of public school. I do what I can with the students I have to encourage them to
explore and follow their passion rather than be obedient drones. But I hope
everyone understands that it is NOT the teachers union that is promoting the
mindless drivel, the teach to the test mentality, the school is about getting a job
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mindless drivel, the teach to the test mentality, the school is about getting a job
perspective. This is coming from the federal governement via corporate giants
who are funding the privitization of public schools. There have always been
teachers whose efforts have been focused on drawing out what is in each child.
We are being forced to test kids to death or get out of the profession. Truly
heartbreaking stuff. I have chosen so far to be the rogue teacher that supports
my students over the system.....but who knows how long they will let me continue?
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Da Lavida July 18, 2013 at 12:27 AM
I watch your speech is great, but in indonesia if anyone want to speech like that,
the teacher will be angry, hihihi, serious.
So, I want to know how US student study, I hear in USA people have good
education system, really? please answer
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Hator July 19, 2013 at 10:50 AM
Congratulations!! I wish I could leave my thoughts in spanish, but I will try to

express myself in English. I am from Mexico City, I studied for many years and
then my carrer was for Interior Design, all my life have being working with the
airlines, and now that I am 54 I know I could had been a great journalist.
Well...I have a son and a daughter, I really believe that all my suffering (
economical) has been because of their expensive schools, I dont understand why
we need to be at school for so many years learning something that we are not
going to use and always talking about world wars. Is enough. Why they dont
teach us: 1. How to love better and . 2 How to save and invest money and make
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teach us: 1. How to love better and . 2 How to save and invest money and make
business. 3. Languages 4. Meditation 5. How to be happy 6. Everything brelating to
the death . 7. How to eat well , nutrition. etc.
I really agree with everything that in this video its said. Congratulations and if
ever I can help to make a change..please contact me. my e mail
mariliavillarreal@yahoo.com.mx
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Rima August 1, 2013 at 1:39 PM
Inspiring. Impressive. Implementable.

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Rabbi Yonason Goldson August 2, 2013 at 2:44 PM

Dear Erica,
I came across this blog by chance while searching for an old article of my own - Goldson is not a common name. As a high school teacher of twenty years, I
wonder if your teachers are as impressed with you as I would be if you were
my student. Clearly, you were fortunate to have a teacher like Donna Bryan who
encouraged you to think critically... sadly, there are too many teachers afraid
being challenged by students who think.
However, do not assume that your years of diligence and discipline were wasted.
The best rock musicians were classically trained; the greatest writers and
artists spent years of painstaking effort developing their techniques. Academic
discipline is the foundation of authentic intellectual creativity -- the problem
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discipline is the foundation of authentic intellectual creativity -- the problem

comes from never departing from the mundane and reaching for the supernal.
Daniel Patrick Moynahan famously said, "You are entitled to your own opinion; you
are not entitled to your own facts." Nevertheless, most people today place more
values on feelings than on facts. If you can take your talents, your training, and
your inspiration and combine them with vision and determination, you can truly
accomplish all that you hope to achieve.
May you have great success in all your efforts.
Rabbi Yonason Goldson
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wonderful speech!!
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This font sucks ass
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I assume that you are going to go into education in order to make a change?
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I assume that you are going to go into education in order to make a change?
Otherwise you are just a critic, yet one who is very poetic due to the very people
you are criticizing.
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Replies
Daniel F.C. October 30, 2013 at 11:18 PM
I guess she is just calling stuff by its name, and you have to criticize the
current state of things right now cause the US is not doing really good,
not only in education. She doesnt have to become a teacher to make a
change, she already inspired hundreds of people with her words! its up to
the listeners as well and not only up to the speaker to act. Its like this
guy said: hear the truth, from whoever speaks it.
Reply
Kumar Ayush August 15, 2013 at 7:33 AM
I am from India, in Grade 12! Yeah, your speech fits our education equally well.
It's not just America which is clutched in this dilemma. With what I have seen
and people I have met, it's just the whole world.
Reply
Defaulted student loans August 21, 2013 at 9:34 AM

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Defaulted student loans August 21, 2013 at 9:34 AM
I ran across this online journal by chance while looking for an old article of my
own - Goldson is not a regular name. As a secondary teacher of twenty years, I
doubt that your educators are as inspired with you as I might be whether you
were my learner. Obviously, you were favored to have an instructor like Donna
Bryan who swayed you to think basically... unfortunately, there are an excessive
amount of educators perplexed being tested by understudies who consider.
Reply
Ramesh chauhan August 26, 2013 at 6:22 AM
his is my first time i visit here. I found so many entertaining stuff in your blog,
especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I
am not the only one having all the leisure here! Keep up the excellent work
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Thank you so much :)
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This speech is truly perfect. I have always felt that the education system was
flawed and dismissal. Hopefully, Erica's speech will be able to introduce a new
era where students actually look forward to school, rather than dread coming
into an environment where creativity and individuality are suppressed.
Reply
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It is more important that you love what you do rather than to do what you love
to do.
You are what you think you are. If you think you are a slave, you are that.
Perfection in action calls for doing what you are supposed to do ( what your
heart tells you to do) and then do not bother about the results. Be rest in peace.
You must find the peace ion the battle field of life.
What the Zen Master referred is that you can not attain Zen by just hard work only
and working like a slave. You must perform work with love, with out selfishness
and with out sense that "I am doing the work". To find the Zen, you will put your
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and with out sense that "I am doing the work". To find the Zen, you will put your
100 % effort ( that will be equal to 25% of the total work ) your Master will put
in 25
% of the work and God's Grace will do the rest of 50% of the work. It is to prove
to you that you will not attain by your efforts ONLY, that the Zen Master has told
that story.
Best wishes,
Reply
Teci Pulido October 5, 2013 at 2:14 PM
Powerful speech, and how timely to read it on World Teachers' Day. :) I've been
teaching undergrad physics to engineers for five years and counting. The
coursework is rigid in content and in execution, but there's still enough room to
inspire students: encouraging alternative solutions to a problem, reminding why
they need this for their work in the future, showing fun applications and even
analogies to current events or life in general. Teachers need to remind the class
*why* something needs to be learned, so we ourselves need to be convinced of the
significance of each topic. Every now and then we have "joke time" to keep things
light, and I always start the class by writing a verse from the Bible.
I've always been an outlier, anti-establishment student, so now I am working
*against* the flaws of the system but working from within. I'm happy to say that
many students respond to my approach without compromising the standards of
the school (and ultimately the companies who will hire them).
Of course, the issue of which subjects to teach would be up to the schools and
local government. And parents/families should also reclaim their responsibility
as the primary educators and role models of their children.
Thank you for this video. God bless and be with you more!
Reply
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Reply
Ahmad Saleh October 22, 2013 at 1:39 PM
thank you , really I appreciate your brave attitude . It`s essential problem
which must be solved . I have faced the same when I was studying at collage .
Reply
Daniel F.C. October 30, 2013 at 8:01 PM

Dear Erica,
U know, I will graduate in about 2 weeks and now that it is over I feel the same
way u did with respect to the fact that the past is long gone. I wasted a lot of
my fucking time and mind in stupid prerequisites to go into the faculty of
business. Thank god I am not you and I did like shit in said prerequisites so I
did not get in. I instead had to go with my original plan, go study economics!! that
subject I always felt attracted to. Yeah I do like econ, but I enjoy history more
than economics, and cooking and music and fucking fancy photographs (tho I cant
take a decent one). I noticed that almost at the end of my degree and it was a
little late for me, tho I made my last months worth a lot. Well, if you did go to
university you should be close to getting your certificate of 'fit for employment',
well good luck with that shit b/c in this economy you cannot even get a decent job,
the system you criticized is not even able to enslave us fucking decently. You
know, I was gonna give u some advice for the remainder of your schooling period,
but what can I tell to the girl that when finished high school came to the same
realizations I came to when finishing college?? (and worded them way better),
maybe just this: fucking enjoy your last years of schooling, it is the last time in
time when LEARNING is so constant (tho sometimes youll be learning shit) and
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time when LEARNING is so constant (tho sometimes youll be learning shit) and
truly last year of college is pretty damn good.
ps: change your font for god's sake, you can barely read the comments!
best wishes,
DFC
Reply
Anonymous November 25, 2013 at 1:49 AM
ape kek kenen coment2 ni..
Reply
tam nguyen December 29, 2013 at 5:53 AM
So great speech!!! I can't agree with you more. I've been translated to
Vietnamese. Thank you for your speech! You will change the world!
Reply
Anonymous February 20, 2014 at 10:34 AM

That was amazing.
Reply
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Teguh Gw March 26, 2014 at 5:45 AM
Thanks, that I finally found this original speech. I've heard this since long time
ago but I just found the translation. Now I have to tell my colleagues to say
good bye to America's educational system. As I found this transcript, I shared
it in fb.
Thanks, Erica. You've just open our eyes. Congratulations!
Reply
Anonymous March 27, 2014 at 6:58 PM
This has actually made me think a lot, well done!

Reply

cool
Reply
Huy Profile April 14, 2014 at 11:16 PM
awesome!
I Like it
Reply
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Andrew Tezzla May 21, 2014 at 1:45 PM
You're an inspiration, and know that there are more out there like you.
Reply
Anonymous May 27, 2014 at 7:24 PM
She couldn't manage to do well in school and develop interests at the same time?
This is not the norm. Christ, I hate rich white girls.
Reply

Absolutely inspiring.
My experiencing in public school was a lot more positive: quite a few of my

teachers made it a point to focus on making sure students LEARNED, and didn't
just study for state tests, but I'm acutely aware I got lucky.
Reply

Amazing. Thank you.
Reply
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Clipping Path Service June 19, 2014 at 2:43 AM
A real informative blog like this is an exceptionally cool helping resource for a
needy information seeker like me! Thanks a lot for sharing.
Reply
vanz73 June 19, 2014 at 4:03 PM
As a dyslexic I struggled hugely with grade school--a "B" grade was a great
grade for me. However, that rote learning process helped me uncover my most
important lesson in school--specifically how to cope with learning with my
different mind. College was challenging, but less so as I took more advanced
classes. My masters program, in finance, was very challenging and ridiculously
rewarding--my final GPA was 3.6 (undergrad was 2.6). My point is that there is
truth in your words but not as much as most would ascribe. While many will be
drawn to your call to action to overturn the current program, I don't believe it
is as broken as you describe. And the uncollege movement is driven in part by our
country's obsession with everyone getting a college degree. That's just not the
best path for everyone. However getting a degree, in any subject, helps many
people think more effectively, understand how to break down problems and
create solutions, sometimes innovative ones. For every Mark Zuckerberg who
made his billions dropping out of college there are tens of thousands who didn't
but still dropped out of college. I admire your spirit and I expect you'll
accomplish great things. However I also expect your views will moderate over
time, particularly if you become a parent.
Reply
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Are you aware that you're mentioned in David Icke's book, "The Perception
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Sara Matthews May 11, 2015 at 11:56 AM
Extraordinary insight and the courage to share it - publicly and at a pivotal

moment when your audience was likely expecting something else entirely...
Most valedictorian's speeches stroke the system - one more compliant essay
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Admin June 18, 2015 at 10:46 PM
Amazing speech! Thank you for having the courage to do this. I know I'm a little
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Like your way of seeing things! Still you may do some things to expand on it.
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Endang Sulistiowati August 13, 2015 at 2:04 AM

I wish indonesia just like this :(
But it's rlly different x.x
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Rohmad Hadi Santoso August 13, 2015 at 8:56 AM

I wish indonesia just like this :
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hudi August 13, 2015 at 7:58 PM
speech to waking up educators for being better, good luck erica

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Abolutely you are right, I am very respect on your speech. congratulation to

find your self.
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Winterz August 16, 2015 at 12:29 AM

Nice speech.
Reply
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Erica Goldson Speech

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Anonymous July 5, 2011 at 10:05 AM

Bob Francis July 9, 2011 at 4:29 PM

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Oh PS. - Congratulations on your achievements:)

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Brenda August 17, 2011 at 3:11 PM

Wonderful speech Erica. I have shared it with many of my home educating

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Anonymous August 31, 2011 at 10:09 PM

deeanyo September 5, 2011 at 5:34 AM

bimbim September 11, 2011 at 10:16 AM

i found a transcript of your speech last year and posted it on my Notes on

The Marxist Farmer September 14, 2011 at 10:53 PM

I herd about your speech at the HS i went to 30 miles west of Albany. Im

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I herd about your speech at the HS i went to 30 miles west of Albany. Im

Nyrere Steven Norfleet September 16, 2011 at 1:38 PM

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Anonymous September 18, 2011 at 3:35 PM

I must say that speech blew me away.

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Anonymous September 18, 2011 at 4:01 PM

Powerful words... FANTASTIC SPEECH, and a FANTASTIC brain. The

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Edward Metz September 18, 2011 at 4:17 PM

Your speech is a dead-on accurate assessment of the Amerikan educational

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