In a recent report by Campus Reform, a curious phenomenon has been brought to light: the rise of "affinity graduations." These unique ceremonies, designed for small groups of graduates who share a particular identity or background, have apparently set off alarm bells among a certain political group in the United States. According to Campus Reform, these right-wing conservatives view affinity graduations as a threat to the dominant culture and a harbinger of the downfall of Western society itself.
It's worth noting that Campus Reform is itself a project of the Leadership Institute, a non-profit organization that is unabashedly conservative in its outlook. The Institute's mission is to train and support individuals who promote "conservative solutions to today's public policy problems" and to place them in positions of power in politics, government, and media. In other words, they are fighting tooth and nail for the hearts and minds of young people on college campuses across America.
As someone who has participated in an affinity graduation, however, I can attest to the value of these intimate ceremonies. For me, the large and noisy main commencement was simply too overwhelming, given my sensory issues. I was grateful that my college provided a space where I could celebrate my accomplishments with others who understood my perspective. I hope that this trend continues to grow, so that more individuals like myself - including those who identify as autistic - can feel included and celebrated on their big day. Who knows? Perhaps affinity graduations could even serve as a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and harmonious society.
What's wrong with "affinity graduations?"
What's wrong with "affinity graduations?"
What's wrong with "affinity graduations?"
In a recent report by Campus Reform, a curious phenomenon has been brought to light: the rise of "affinity graduations." These unique ceremonies, designed for small groups of graduates who share a particular identity or background, have apparently set off alarm bells among a certain political group in the United States. According to Campus Reform, these right-wing conservatives view affinity graduations as a threat to the dominant culture and a harbinger of the downfall of Western society itself.
It's worth noting that Campus Reform is itself a project of the Leadership Institute, a non-profit organization that is unabashedly conservative in its outlook. The Institute's mission is to train and support individuals who promote "conservative solutions to today's public policy problems" and to place them in positions of power in politics, government, and media. In other words, they are fighting tooth and nail for the hearts and minds of young people on college campuses across America.
As someone who has participated in an affinity graduation, however, I can attest to the value of these intimate ceremonies. For me, the large and noisy main commencement was simply too overwhelming, given my sensory issues. I was grateful that my college provided a space where I could celebrate my accomplishments with others who understood my perspective. I hope that this trend continues to grow, so that more individuals like myself - including those who identify as autistic - can feel included and celebrated on their big day. Who knows? Perhaps affinity graduations could even serve as a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and harmonious society.