On September 24th, 2010 Dr. Benjamin S. Carson made a beautiful speech for Howard University’s 143rd Convocation. To summarize the speech in a few words: he spoke about the purpose of a university, the amount of potential that lies within each Howard University student, and how we should measure success. He spoke about how we control our own destiny, and how we need to begin to think outside of the box. He asked us that if we do everything that’s already been done, how do we progress? He told us to take the talent God has given us and use it to elevate others. I found Mr. Carson to be very engaging. He weaved the purpose of his speech into a story that everyone could relate to. He told us how his nickname was “dummy,” and how he had a talent for getting other students kicked out of class. He spoke about he was never really the smart one, and how he didn’t like to listen during class. He made everyone smile and laugh (and I’m pretty sure he moved a couple of people onto the verge of tears).
He made the speech personal, and it was simply inspiring. There was an evident structure to his speech. It was almost like he wrote an outline for himself and tried to follow it as best he could. Nothing seemed rehearsed and yet everything seemed so prepared. He delivered his speech very effectively. Clear voice, decent eye contact, and he seemed so comfortable with himself. He even dropped a couple of papers in the middle of his speech and, without awkward silence, paused to pick them up. He then returned to talking like nothing had happened. I believe he adjusted to his audience around the very beginning of his speech when he said, “ it’s so hard to talk to a large group of people now-a-days without offending someone.” He told us how one time, in some conversation he was holding, he compared the brain of a human to that of a dog and someone responded to him with, “don’t talk about dogs like that!” He told us that his speech was not intended to offend and that if any one was offended in the process of his speech, it was just too bad. Again, he made people laugh. He went on to say it’s too bad if people are offended with what he has to say because too many people hold back what needs to be said. He talked about the amazing people who worked to have our generation be in the position we’re in. How we have a life of opportunities our ancestors did not, and how we need to take advantage of this new day.
My favorite part of his speech was when he began to tell the story of the twins attached by the head and how it was one of the most risky procedures he’d ever been faced with. He asked himself, why had they chosen him when there are plenty of other more deserving surgeons. The procedure was long and complicated. He wanted to delay anymore operation until a later time, that was until he was informed they would not be able to keep the twin babies alive for that long. And so he continued the operation, asking God how he was going to make this impossible situation possible. He then went onto say the operation was successful and that the two twins are now 7 years old and beginning the 3rd grade. All things through the Lord are possible, and that procedure was an example. Dr. Carson’s speech was one of the most inspiring speeches I’ve ever heard and I left the overflow auditorium thinking to myself, “I want to be just like this man.” All things through the Lord are possible and I control my own destiny…
Welcome to Howard University’s 143rd academic year.
Nicole McKinney
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