🅱︎🅴𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎 🆃🅷🅴𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 🅶🅾︎🅾︎🅳: 𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚝 🎓

A letter from Erin & Erika Ross,

As we’ve reached our “final” graduation day, our hearts are so full and we could not be more thankful, grateful, and blessed. Although this day, the day we have been dreaming of for years now is definitely much different than we pictured, nothing, not even a pandemic, can diminish our accomplishments.

Although these are not ideal circumstances for any senior / graduate anywhere around the world, we know that the class of 2020 will forever hold a unique place in the history of our country. Living through such unprecedented circumstances, it's important to remember that disruption often opens the door to unexpected opportunities. Although we deeply wish we could have come together with our classmates who we’ve developed incredible bonds with and our professors who have dedicated so much of their time and wisdom to educate, challenge, and nurture us throughout our time at Fordham University, the resilience shown by individuals from all over the world, fuels our optimism for the future of our profession and the positive change we seek to bring to the world.  

To seniors all over the world, or more specifically, to individuals graduating in the class of 2020, as you embark on this new chapter of your life, always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know. Today, if you happen to be reading this,  take a moment to congratulate yourself. You did it. You reached the “finish line,” utilizing a virtual format that no one has ever been forced to use before. For many of you, you were asked to go “home” and forced to leave the college or university that had become just that to you; a home. You were told that the day you’ve most likely been dreaming of for years was going to remain just that; a dream, a vision in your imagination, as walking across the stage to collect your diploma or degree in front of family and friends simply was prohibited. And although it seems as though you are the most “unlucky” class, the class that was unable to partake in that “memorable” graduation day, we just wanted to remind you that you actually are and will perhaps remain the most memorable class in history. The graduating class of 2020 won’t ever be forgotten, nor will their resilience and incredible strength. And as members of this class, we have taken pride in how far we’ve come and have so much faith in how far we can go. This is the beginning of anything we want. WE all ended up here today because of the immense courage we exemplified in order to continue moving forward when the world quite literally tried to make us stop. 

Although we cannot gather collectively with one another, we can work towards developing a collective understanding. Although we cannot shake hands with one another we can now practice empathy and be much more empathetic to those who cannot see their families and loved ones, as it’s comparable as it has ever been to what it must be like for immigrants and migrants and the struggles/ hardships they face. Although we are not all victims of missing our graduation day, we are all victims of the coronavirus. So Instead of thinking about all of the things we’ve missed as a result of this pandemic, why don’t we work towards maximizing all of the things we can gain. We are presented with a rare yet unique opportunity to create a new reality. One that can transcend into society, when we get back to socializing. A society that cherishes smiles, handshakes, the ability to go out to eat, drink, and celebrate things like graduations.  A society that stops focusing so much on individualism but more so on unity and togetherness. A society that embraces all individuals with unique differences rather than shaming those who are different. One that encapsulates trust & values honestly, rather than one that promotes hatred and fear. A society that inspires and motivates us, Instead of a society that represses us. One that empowers us without belittling us. This is our simple reminder that we are all in this together. The coronavirus knows no skin color, no politics, no religious affiliations, or values. It does not discriminate. So why don’t we use this time working to rebuild a society that does the same? 

So, to anyone reading this, members of the class of 2020 or not, this is our reminder that you, too,  have been living through this and that is an accomplishment in and of itself. The next chapter, a new chapter, is starting right now for some of us and will start soon for the rest for us, when this virus mitigates. Though it hasn't been written yet, please never forget that we all have a  pen in our hands. We have the power to write our future the way we want to and we can make it into anything we want. In the end because of this, because of the worst, we have the ability to be and do better! As social workers, we are entering a profession dedicated to making the world a better and brighter place for all of its inhabitants, not just a select few. We are dedicated to being a voice for those who continue to be unheard, ignored, and silenced. We plan to be a light to the darkness that lies at the core of much of the corruption entrenched into the way in which the world functions and we will be the fighting chance for those who have been wrongly suppressed and judged by the color of their skin, and not the content of their character.  In the end because of this, because of the worst, we have the ability to try and maximize our best. We ALL have the ability to be better.  More understanding. More empathetic. More kind. And better. As human beings, as a country, and as a nation,

Yours Trulee<3