Jeffrey P. STONEking
Good Afternoon.
It is a humbling honour to stand before my fellow graduates, the class of 2012, and our support system comprised of family and loved ones here in this grande venue on this very significant day. Antioch is an awareness.
We live in a time when we can connect with everyone on the planet, yet we've never been lonelier. It is a time when people ask machines for the truth, and the Spirit each of us is comprised of is entirely disregarded.
Social networks and the devices to connect to them are the new gods.
There is documented proof that you become what you put in your personal space. If you are devoting and allowing your valuable time to be hypnotized and desensitized by the vile nature of Hollywood and the Internet's violent and profane imagery, you are magnetizing it to your existence.
Mahatma Gandhi said, "Harbour impurity of mind and body and you have untruth and violence in you."
As we stand on the threshold of prophecy fulfillment, be prepared for that which is to come. Let us cast aside the corporate charmers with their stopwatch hearts, and never bow down to the corrupt United States federal government and its deplorable elected officials.
Our current President and Commander-in-chief, who is seeking re-election, recently appointed the vice-president of Monsanto as Senior advisor to the FDA. Let us remember that Monsanto is the manufacturer of Agent Orange, along with the GMOs plaguing our food supply.
In the classrooms of Antioch, we discuss current circumstances, some which echo the horrors of science fiction.
Are you noticing the uncommon positions of the sun and the moon?
Will you receive a cancer-causing micro-chip implant under your skin for identification purposes, and allow an unknown official or agency to monitor you?
Do you believe everything the media and elected officials want you to believe? Or do you seek truth?
The goal of education is to bring forth that which is already within, and by studying history, as we do at Antioch, that knowledge and wisdom is enhanced to allow for a greater and more fulfilling future. History also reveals answers to life-long questions worth pondering.
For example, in ancient China, along the Silk Road, a harlot had a very popular caravan tent. Her name was two words, and I'll spell it, P-o-o S-e-e. Poo See.
Our rich, local history reveals the words of The Great Shawnee Warrior, Tecumseh, who said,
"Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about his religion.
Respect others in their views and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and of service to your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
or even a stranger, if in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people, but grovel to none.
When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light,
for your life, for your strength.
Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.
Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools
and robs the spirit of its vision."
Every one of us here, regardless of gender or ethnicity, has the opportunity to make life a positive and rewarding human experience. I encourage everyone to make your life an inspiring message worth sharing.
The quote from Antioch's founding father, Horace Mann, bears a stronger message now more than ever, "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity".
As Antioch graduates, we must also ask ourselves, will we follow in the footsteps of our noted alumni?
Will you harness and implement the ingenuity of our former president, Arthur E. Morgan?
Or take a stance against the evils of racism, as Coretta Scott King did?
Like Leonard Nimoy, will you boldly go where no man has gone before?
Perhaps you will unlock Rod Serling's door with the key of imagination, and discover another dimension of sight, sound, and mind, and a land of both shadow and substance of things and ideas!
Finally, a Great-Grandson of Chief Little Turtle, who is also an Antioch University graduate, and is here in attendance today, said, and I quote, "Even though Antioch can be frustrating, so is life. When all is said and done, it was a great experience in tolerance, patience, fortitude, ingenuity, pride, dedication, and growth."
With that, I am Walking Proof.
Carry On!
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