A major in punk, a minor in inspiration
Punk rocker, being honoured by Simon Fraser University, screams out words to live by
With most of the vehicle traffic gone ... you’re confronted by just how much space cities have committed to the least-efficient way of getting around and how useless that space is for everyone else. We can bring back our cities without bringing back all the traffic and the congestion and the pollution. Janette Sadik-Khan, former New York City transportation commissioner.
With many convocations postponed or cancelled, the Star asked some prominent people receiving honorary degrees to give the speech they would have given in the current climate.
Beth Allen, a.k.a. Bif Naked, is being honoured by Simon Fraser University with a doctor of fine arts degree for her music and writing and human and animal rights advocacy.
It is my highest privilege to have this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the prestigious Simon Fraser University’s 2020 graduates!
I congratulate and share my joy with you, and offer my friendship and gratitude to you all.
I can assure you that my own academic parents are very proud, since I had abandoned my university education in my freshman year at the University of Winnipeg, to go on a punk-rock van tour, where I stayed and worked for the past 30 years.
In fact, my own father, Dr. Kenneth Wesley Torbert, himself, has called SFU before! It was seven years ago, and he wanted to confirm whether I was actually receiving an honorary doctorate, having heard that rumour. It was true!
My father was told, of course, that I was not receiving any degrees from SFU, by the faithful and trustworthy SFU administrators, who were patiently trying to understand this little public health dentist calling them long-distance. (It was actually from UFV, the University of the Fraser Valley.)
To his great enjoyment, my dear old dad could accuse me of lying to him. A notorious prankster, my father loved to tease me about abandoning my studies, and in fact when I was Jay Leno’s guest on “The Tonight Show,” my father sent a telegram to tell Mr. Leno that despite being on his show, I was still a disappointment to my parents. But, today, I am redeemed. And, like you, I feel triumphant. Today is a victory. Possibly not your first (after all — you
BIF NAKED continued on IN3
were accepted into university long before you worked your butts off to graduate), but this victory, I promise, won’t be your last. You are moving forward — and in these dangerous and unprecedented times, through final exams and a pandemic, into The Real World, and out of the protective nest of your teachers and faculty mother birds, who have been dedicated to you, and committed to your higher learning.
They want to see you achieve your dreams as much as your parents do, as much as the world does, and as much as I do.
All you have learned in your lives has brought you to this glorious day. You are not only amazing, but your brains must be bigger by now. Esteemed graduates, I am here to suggest that your hearts are bigger, too.
You are not just a marvellous creation, a combination of cells, guts, wishes, hard work, fervent study and steadfast determination. You are a living victory. May you share this victory with others. May you keep learning all of your days, and share your knowledge with others. Life is an adventure no matter what it brings, and you must meet it with your very best self. You must be adaptable and flexible to whatever may happen, and right now, the global pandemic has changed everything.
This may, in fact, be your greatest teacher.
When we are faced with adversity and injustice, may we never back away, but run toward it. Never ask, “why me,” but always “why not me!” and fearlessly work, on behalf of others, then ourselves, with commitment. Show initiative and be the first to show up, volunteer, and participate in building a better world. Demonstrate skills with proficiency and compassion for others.
May our devotion to the greater good always lead what we do and work toward. For these are the tools we all need to develop to build a life with purpose and meaning. Life is not a test. Life is a gift. Every day is a victory. Your education is your armour, but your hearts and minds are full of more! May they be overflowing with, not only knowledge, but love and hope for a better world. Today you walk through that doorway toward your purpose, with your journey to greatness actually just beginning.
Every day, deliberate with optimism and be a peacekeeper, a hugger, and know you are a representation of the dreams of others, too. May you always know and remember this with each new day, and find these good thoughts as gifts on your doorstep every morning. Every new day is a new victory.
Though it may be hard to imagine a world after COVID-19, do not be disillusioned, but rather, let it embolden you to live more fully and work with a higher purpose and live a life with deeper meaning.
Now more than ever, you must never squander your education, your dreams, and most of all not a single day. We need you more than ever to be an example, a dreamer, and a leader.
For you are our future, and we celebrate the victory of your graduation with you. Now as you go forth, with degrees in your hands and promise in your hearts, have courage and never lose faith in yourself. If you should stumble, for even a step, always know that each person in this room will never lose faith in you.
We are your classmates, teachers, family and friends, and you are our beacon of light. You represent our dreams for the future, making the world bright and beautiful once again. You are the victory! Not just for yourselves, but for the whole world, for me — and my very proud father.