The Fletcher Community
Convocation Speech – 12 September 2002
Itamara Vanessa Lochard
Dean Bosworth, distinguished professors, members of the class of
1947, fellow students and staff, good evening and welcome to the
academic convocation of 2002.
I was truly honored when Dean Sheehan asked me to speak to you
tonight about Fletcher community. As many of you know, or as
those of you who are new will soon realize, there are not too
many things that can pry me out of what has become know as my
spot or my office on the couch facing the photo exhibit at Ginn
library…. But I truly believe that this topic, the Fletcher
community, is the key foundation of this school, and I continue
to be amazed at the talents I discover within it.
Actually, one of the first things I did after speaking with Dean
Sheehan was to contact about a dozen fellow students for their
input. Make no mistake, there is no dearth of information about
what is Fletcher and who comprises it…. In fact, a list of the
talents, diversity and complexity of who we are appear unending.
However, each of the students I contacted has contributed to this
school in their own distinct fashion, and I have grown to respect
and admire for them for their kindness, professionalism and sheer
dedication to humanity. I do not think that I could talk about
such a topic well without hearing their input; nor would I want
to. I hope that my words tonight are as much a reflection of
their thoughts as they are mine….
Both Webster and the American Heritage Dictionary define a
community as a group of people having common interests; a group
viewed as forming a distinct segment of society.
At first view, it would seem that Fletcher is anything but a
community:
This year’s incoming class alone represents 47 countries from 5
continents.
About half of Fletcher members are women.
We are atheists, Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Wiccans,
members of indigenous religions and agnostics.
We have lived in democracies, communism, totalitarian states,
modern industrialized cities, small towns, less developed
countries, remote tribes, inner cities and refugee camps.
We are Liberals, Realists and neo-realists; Exceptionalists and
Revisionists; and reflect all variations in between and beyond.
We represent every color and blend of the ethnic rainbow.
We are soldiers, artists and parents.
Our combined professional resume would cover every imaginable
field of work that exists.
So, what is it, exactly that unites us? What are our shared
values and goals? What is the definition of this apparent
oxymoron called the “Fletcher Community”?
As I thought about my experiences this past year, and listened to
the input of my peers on this subject, four themes continuously
arose that truly define us.
The first of these is passion.
I have yet to meet one person at Fletcher who is not in some way
completely dedicated to the notion of affecting a positive change
in the world. In fact, often times I think this leads us to
wrestle with choosing the right field, or class, or advisor, or
paper…. There would be no confusion if we were indifferent, and
if the end point did not matter.
The second theme is modesty.
There are plenty of very bright stars here at Fletcher, but I
have yet to hear one remind you of the dimensions of their halo.
And for some who excel in less observable ways, this may be
intimidating. To those who shine in a different way, let me take
this opportunity to inform you that there is an unstated
understanding that everyone has something worthy to contribute
equal to or better than our own thoughts.
But, remember that you can only be heard if you speak, and that
the community can only be richer with whatever talent you bring,
if you share it.
Cooperation is the third theme that defines the Fletcher
Community.
During my time here, I have seen tremendous acts of generosity
and kindness in sharing academic notes, helping others study and
reviewing each other’s work. There is one particular colonel who
has truly mastered this, in fact, you would never know his rank
if you had not read it somewhere.
I have also witnessed many who are genuinely pleased in seeing
their peers excel rather than feeling threatened or otherwise
minimized. There is an innate knowledge that blowing out
another’s candle will not make your own shine any brighter. How
could it, when each candle is so different in appearance, shape
and origin?
Lastly, there is a pervasive desire for balance in this
community.
I have witnessed the ability to laugh together, dance, eat,
support and share our artistic expressions through the variety of
Fletcher student organizations and events, despite, or perhaps
because of our diversity.
Though these things may seem like a distraction from academia, or
an excuse to indulge in free cheese and wine, they are actually
the seeds of a healthy lifestyle that blends intellectual
gymnastics with play.
They allow you to rejuvenate and talk to each other about
something more than this past week’s reading assignments.
Indeed, it was through listening to the fascinating stories of my
peers at such events that I started Fletcher Perspectives. One
man traveled to countries that fell on one latitudinal line
around the globe, just for the experience. Another State
Department fellow described how the making of beautiful Ukrainian
eggs taught her to appreciate the “fragility” of things in life.
A former intelligence officer shared his poetry on a regular
basis. Six others shared their personal visions of the life
through their photography.
I thought that such talents and experiences should not be buried
in an application folder somewhere in the admissions office.
No where else in the world have I found a society, organization,
work place or city that reflects such diversity. Even within the
most cosmopolitan of cities, it is rare that one has to live,
work and / or study among such different peers on a daily basis.
This unique quality of the Fletcher Community brings with it the
distinct opportunities I have mentioned, as well as challenges.
It is easy to forget that the war that you are calmly debating
intellectually in class may have killed the brother of the person
sitting next to you.
It is easy to misread the intentions of the man who does not look
at women in the eye because in his culture it reflects the desire
to engage in romantic relationships.
It is easy to forget that what you have always taken as
commonplace and right may be offensive to another.
Nevertheless, these four themes – passion, modesty, cooperation
and balance -- forge friendships among the most unlikely sets of
people who, recognizing such commonalities, can have intense and
educated, civil discourse over a variety of topics. For example,
I have witnessed a Jew invite a Palestinian to his home in times
of difficulties.
This community provides a tremendous opportunity to learn to be
empathetic, kind, open and tolerant through learning about other
people and most importantly about yourself.
The Fletcher Community shows its members how to listen, speak and
act as responsible leaders, both now and tomorrow.
I can only hope that we can all be here in 55 years to celebrate
our reunion, as the class of 1947 is doing this week.
I look forward to another wonderful year here with you. I would
like to thank
Steve Wright,
Scott Borgerson,
Maria Stephan,
Amal Jadou,
Susan Banki,
Omekongo Dibinga,
Ahsiya Posner,
Andrea Dew,
Ellen Kramer,
Heather Robert,
Esther Lee,
Martin Raible,
Claire Jellinek,
Obaida El Dandarawy,
and Julie Tritaki
for all their input both this past week, and throughout this past
year. |
