Reply to comment

Perhaps the message Freeman Hrabowski was trying to convey was that we each have some responsibility in who, or what, we become. To a certain degree, we must grow where we are planted, however we often have a choice in where we put our roots. While watching may be considered a negative, restrictive word, it really depends on who is watching and why the watching occurs. In a positive sense, if we desire some insight concerning our own lives, we may freely choose to watch ourselves. Our watching may lead us to a deeper understanding, and then perhaps we may make informed choices in our future that result in change. By watching and making these choices, we are assuming responsibility for ourselves. I see this as a positive view, because we are always free to choose to watch ourselves, or not. In a negative sense, I also see a danger if others were to watch over us to restrict our freedom to make choices for ourselves.

I believe it was Martin Luther who said, "You can't stop the birds flying over your head, but you can stop them [from] nesting in your hair!" The issue that resonates in me in the excerpt from Hrabowski's Haverford College 2007 Commencement ceremony oration seems to be, "Who will choose, and freely accept responsibility, for what happens to me?" From my experience, those who choose to refuse, but are able to accept responsibility for themselves often end up becoming the responsibility of someone else (or worse, the responsibility of some social program, institution, or agency). Therefore an individuals’ free choice to refuse responsibility often leads to a loss of freedom for that individual.

Without any other context or knowledge concerning Freeman Hrabowski's message, I choose to view his recommendation "to watch" in the positive light of encouraging others to accept responsibility for their lives, and therefore live in freedom.