Shake Indifference

Dolores1

DR1
May 3, 2000
8,215
37
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www.
Shake off indifference
The country's largest private university, Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) graduated nearly 900 students last week. A communications major, Virginia Antares Rodriguez Grullon, gave a memorable valedictorian address. While the students and crowd paid dutiful attention to the preceding enlightening speeches by rector Monsignor Agripino Nunez and keynote address by long-time PUCMM graduate Eddy Martinez, director of the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD), the young journalist's words mesmerized the audience, which suddenly went silent and expressed its support with several rounds of applause.
In her talk, she urged her fellow classmates to shake off the rampant elitism and consumerism that has taken hold of a privileged minority of Dominican society and to become agents for change. "Indifference to conditions in which others live, sooner or later, will turn against us," she warned her graduating classmates. See the English translation and Spanish original text of the inspiring graduation speech at: http://dr1.com/news/2007/091707_valedictorian2007.shtml

I was inspired by the warm reaction of the graduating students to Virginia Antares Rodriguez Grullon's valedictorian speech at the PUCMM graduation. Thus, we have carried the speech in dr1 today.
 

Chip

Platinum
Jul 25, 2007
16,772
429
0
Santiago
Shake off indifference
The country's largest private university, Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) graduated nearly 900 students last week. A communications major, Virginia Antares Rodriguez Grullon, gave a memorable valedictorian address. While the students and crowd paid dutiful attention to the preceding enlightening speeches by rector Monsignor Agripino Nunez and keynote address by long-time PUCMM graduate Eddy Martinez, director of the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD), the young journalist's words mesmerized the audience, which suddenly went silent and expressed its support with several rounds of applause.
In her talk, she urged her fellow classmates to shake off the rampant elitism and consumerism that has taken hold of a privileged minority of Dominican society and to become agents for change. "Indifference to conditions in which others live, sooner or later, will turn against us," she warned her graduating classmates. See the English translation and Spanish original text of the inspiring graduation speech at: DR1

I was inspired by the warm reaction of the graduating students to Virginia Antares Rodriguez Grullon's valedictorian speech at the PUCMM graduation. Thus, we have carried the speech in dr1 today.

This is what I have been waiting for - an example of the youth of this country feeling a duty to make changes for the better. Hopefully, this attitude will take hold and spread. If so it won't be long(in the next generation) that we could see some real changes in the Dominican goverment that will actually benefit the people, not just a selected few.
 

DRob

Gold
Aug 15, 2007
8,234
594
113
Very inspiring words, indeed.

This should be as well read as the postings in the Sankie forum. Any possibility of making it a sticky so as to raise its profile for a time?
 

Chirimoya

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2002
17,850
982
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We had a pretty vigorous discussion inspired by a Dominican blogger who wrote about the "jeepetocracia" some months back, touching on many of these issues.

It is great to see yet another Dominican saying all these things, questioning individualism, and excessive materialism, consumption and ostentation. Her assessment of what's wrong and what needs to change is so incisive - few could have said this better.

Virginia for president!
 

Berzin

Banned
Nov 17, 2004
5,898
550
113
The ruling class will not grow a conscience. They will not give up their privileges just because it is good for the have-nots.

The have-nots will have to cultivate leaders that are willing to fight for them to make their voices heard.

And this speech was definitely a turn in the right direction.
 

Chirimoya

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2002
17,850
982
113
I don't know what this particular young woman's background is, but PUCMM students tend to be from the more privileged end of the social spectrum, so she is not necessarily a have-not.
 

Maddy156

New member
Sep 5, 2007
6
0
0
Privileged or not...she has a concious and is willing to make a difference.

I think is wonderful how younger generations are becoming more aware of the problems that are faced today. And is great that they want to take action in changing society for the better.
 

CFA123

Silver
May 29, 2004
3,512
413
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Virginia Antares Rodriguez Grullon For President!
An amazing speech from a young lady.