TOMAHAWK, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — Like many other high schools Tomahawk has a tradition of allowing the Valedictorian of the graduating class to say a few words before the diplomas are handed out.
That wasn’t the case for the class of 2018 after Cait Christenson was told she needed to rewrite her speech because she focused on social movements like #MeToo and NeverAgain instead of reflecting on the 12 year journey that her and her classmates were minutes away from completing.
WAOW TV reports that when Christenson refused to comply with the orders, her speech was removed by school administrators. She said there were no hard feelings, but she felt if she rewrote it the message would be lost. “As someone who is very passionate about what I was talking about, I didn’t want to rewrite and conform,” she said. “And the big thing to me was just sharing my original message.”
Christenson’s full speech was as follows:
Good Afternoon. Thank you all for attending our Class of 2018’s graduation commencement, and the continued educational support throughout the past 13 years of our lives. I think it’s appropriate to reflect on some of things I have learned, but also, open a conversation about issues that are bigger than ourselves as individuals.
Early in our elementary education, we began discussing the history of slavery and discrimination in our country. As a seven year old, I was very saddened to know that kids, people like me, were being treated so poorly. The reconstruction amendments were only the beginning of a revolution towards equal rights. Tremendous progress was made during the civil rights movement, yet today, prejudice and discrimination still exist against minority races in America.
Over America’s nearly 250 year existence, women’s rights have progressed from non-voting, housewife members of society to influential voting, workplace powerhouses. That all began with the women’s suffrage movement and 19th amendment. I am so proud to be among six female valedictorians, the most THS has had in decades, and they’re all strong female leaders. As a young woman, I feel extremely empowered by this progress, yet today, women can’t seem to break through the glass ceiling that promotes wage gaps and the male bureaucracy. When women are harassed, feel violated, and aren’t encouraged to stick up for themselves- the blame falls on them, which takes away the most basic right of having a voice, making them feel foreign in their own bodies.
Over the past 9 months, we have seen heartbreaking stories in the news of school shootings that have left innocent students and teachers with their life in someone else’s hands. This issue has gained national attention over the past few months, yet today, as a nation, we are reluctant to confront mental illness and bullying, which has resulted in more deaths than deaths in combat zones in 2018 so far. Students are fearful for their right of an education safely; sadly denied from the power of knowledge.
There are many problems today in society that some people are too afraid to address in fear of sparking controversy and in fear of encouraging acceptance of other’s ideas. We all may be individuals headed on separate paths after turning our tassels this afternoon, but together, as the Class of 2018 nationwide, we can make up entire movements, advocating for change. The Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter, Women’s Suffrage to #metoo, the Columbine Effect to NeverAgain. There are hundreds of problems in the world that we can complain, worry, and be scared over, although there are endless solutions that we, as an innovative, driven team, can accomplish to make the world a happier place. As a divided nation, we can put aside our differences and all come together to uplift and accept and respect each other’s opinions. Instead of avoiding the problem; instead of remaining ignorant; instead of encouraging negative stereotypes and passing slurs throughout our society; instead of punishing the victims; instead of telling others how they should live and express themselves- put yourself in their shoes before passing judgment, incriminating, and disrespecting others. It’s the golden rule we’ve been hearing since kindergarten. We all have the power to treat everyone with kindness and stand up for the people who need it the most. Don’t be fearful of expressing what you believe in, and don’t be in fear of talking about social taboos we’re too afraid to admit too. We can make changes in our nation and even around the world, just by promoting positivity, acceptance, and equity?
School leaders did issue an apology, saying they were concerned about the judgement she would receive or that others in the audience would feel attacked.
Leaders in the school district say they will re-evaluate their stance on having students speak at the ceremony.
