I have reached the conclusion, and not only because of old age, that we are all one people, be we so-called black, white, brown, or yellow; whether our hair is nonexistent, kinky, straight, or dancing with curls; whether our eyes are black, brown, blue, or green; whether we are Jews, Christian, Muslims, Buddhists, agnostics, Sikhs, holy rollers, Quakers, sanctifiers, snake dancers, or whatever we call ourselves when we in various ways and rituals acknowledge the presence of a power beyond our imagination.

. . . As human beings supposedly blessed we certainly have a most horrendous record. Thus subconsciously we look as always to a new generation of leaders, thinkers, and doers. We need to strengthen the institutions that have served us well, because democracy does not care for itself, it needs tending to. We need to care about it and stop talking and bragging about it, because the history is there to refute a great deal we are told to be thankful for. And what is good, what is verifiable, we must hold on to, more than ever. That now will be your job.

John A. Williams, novelist, essayist, and poet, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (College ceremony)