At Hamilton's 192nd Commencement on Sunday, May 23 the Salutatorian and James Soper Merrill Prize winner was Mary Beatrice Dias. Her speech follows:
Good Morning!
During my four years at Hamilton my ideas about education and knowledge have changed radically. And today, I would like to share with you the story of my intellectual journey at Hamilton. When I started here four years ago my sole task was to get good grades, and succeed in the classroom. Excelling in academia was dependent only on my individual success in the classroom. However, during my time here I have learned the important connections between learning that takes place outside of the classroom setting as well as inside. What I now value most about education and knowledge did not come to me only in the classroom, but in those spaces outside the classroom where I was able to put what I've learned into social practice. This practice that I speak of is what theorists call "critical consciousness," that is, the pursuit of knowledge that can help us transform the world that we share to be more equitable, more inclusive, more just, and more humane. This new awareness has enabled me to understand better my social location in the locality of my home country Sri Lanka, but also in the context of the world outside of Sri Lanka. I have made the transition from being a Sri Lankan, to understanding the complexities of my position as a global citizen.
I am a third world, immigrant, bisexual, bilingual, working class, woman of color in the sciences. As such, the way I view and "know" the world is unique from that which is established as the status quo, or the norm. My work and involvement at Hamilton have provided me with the platform upon which to construct connections with people from different social locations: I have used an awareness of my social identity to build solidarity with people across race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and nationality, and in solidarity with others, I have fought to break the silence around violence and injustice. For, as African American scholar, Audre Lorde once said, "It is not difference that immobilizes us, but silence." I have found my voice here; in particular, through my work and leadership in the Womyn's Center, the Inter-Cultural Womyn's Empowerment Series and the Coalition for Social Justice.
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| Mary Beatrice Dias gets a congratulatory hug from President Stewart |
I was a Student Director of the Inter-Cultural Womyn's Empowerment Series, which strives for intellectual research and political solidarity among Hamilton women students from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds. In working in solidarity, we were able to learn from and challenge each other to understand how the privileges and disadvantages of our own social locations are intimately connected to those of others.
My work with the recently formed Coalition for Social Justice is informed by what I believe to be the moral function of education or, in other words, the idea that education should serve the intellectual needs and capitalize on the intellectual resources of all students, not just the most privileged. Within the coalition, students, faculty, staff and administration come together as citizens of this community, to propose democratizing changes to this college that emanate from its most marginalized sectors.
Within each of these organizations, I have applied the theories I learned in the classroom to challenge this institution to incorporate more centrally, principles of social justice into our curriculum, policies and procedures, so that knowledge and education become more democratic and inclusive.
In my four years here, I have seen Hamilton take on many issues such as alcohol, student life, and the academic code of conduct. Judging by their comments at a meeting with the Coalition for Social Justice, I am sure that President Stewart and Dean Paris will agree with me that the next plan of action for Hamilton should be to work closely with the coalition in order to combat the repeated injustices that occur on this campus, such as hate speech and hate crimes, and to create a safe living, working and learning environment for every student in this community.
The James Soper Merrill Prize is awarded to the member of the graduating class "who, in character and influence has typified the highest ideals of the College." I am a radical third world feminist, who embraces ideals of social justice and equity. So, it is my hope that this award may be a first indication of a revolutionary change at Hamilton.
Apart from the support I received from being a part of various organizations on campus, I have also had the continuous encouragement and assistance from many people along the way. My family has been my support structure for all my life; with their love I am able to achieve more than I set out to do; so I dedicate this moment in my life to them. Professor Susan Sánchez-Casal, my mentor and teacher, along with Professor Chandra Mohanty, have been instrumental in my intellectual growth here at Hamilton. Joan Clair, Pinny and George Kuckel, Professors Barbara Gold and Carl Rubino, have assisted me in numerous ways as friends and host parents. Danielle Roper, my girlfriend, has radicalized and truly enriched my Hamilton experience in many ways. Daisy Mera, my best friend here, has been the ally and companion who always gave me strength when I needed it. And to all my professors, advisors, friends, and allies who have touched my life in some way, I am grateful for your presence in my life.
So, today, I leave my fellow graduates with the message of critical consciousness. I encourage you to envision a world where social justice prevails, and to fight for that vision to come into fruition. Don't close your eyes to the injustices you see, whether it be in Iraq, Palestine, Cuba, or in your own neighborhood. Understand that your education here and the knowledge you have gained from it, should have an impact outside of your own life.
I leave Hamilton with the knowledge to always ask critical questions, to challenge institutionalized norms and to be courageous in my struggle for social justice; and I hope to see you all with me some day on the front lines.
Thank you.
--by Mary Beatrice Dias '04
