Is It Always Right To Be Right? (Warren H. Schmidt, UCLA Commencement, June 18, 1970 There once was a land where men were always right. They knew it...and were proud of it. It was a land where a man was proud to say, "I am right" and "You are wrong." For these were words of conviction, of strength and of courage." No one was ever heard to say, "I may be wrong" or "You may be right." For these were words of weakness, uncertainty, and cowardice. When differences arose among the people of this land, they sought not to re-examine and expplore, But only to justify and persuade. When differences arose between the old and the young, the oder would say, "We have worked hard to build this great and prosperous land. We have produced cars and highways that permit us to move quickl;y from place to place. We fly planes that surpass the speed of sound. We have built computers that solve problems in milliseconds. We have even touched the moon. We expect those who inherit this good land to appreciate what we have accomplished and to build on the heritage we have given them." These older people were right, of course... And they knew it and were proud of it. But the younger people of the land would respond, "We see around us land that has been befouled and exploited. People starve where food is plentiful. Laws abd practices prevent some from having an equal chance to develop and to influence. Noble and moral words are matched by selfish and sordid deeds. Leaders urge us to fight wars to preserve peace -- and the fighting does not end. The whole scene is phony and polluted and inhuman and out of control. We want no part of this money-mad Establishment." These younger people were right, of course... And they knew it and were proud of it. And the gap between the generations grew wider. When differences arose between men of different races, those from the majority race would say, "We are working steadily to build a land of justice and equality for all our citizens. We have made considerable progress; but social progress does not come swiftly. No one listened. The quality of life declined. And grew more grim. People became more angry and afraid. Violence increased... Then... One day a strange new sound was heard in the land. Someone said, "I may be wrong...you may be right." The people were shocked that anyone could be so weak and confused. But the voice persisted. And some began to listen. It not seemed safe to listen to opposing -- and even "wrong" -- views. As they listened, they discovered common beliefs they had not known before. Thry even began to see signs of humanity and noble purpose in those whom they once only knew as adversaries. Here and there men expressed their common desire in deeds -- and bright examples of joint action were seen in the land. With each new effort, men's faith in one another grew. And their faith in the future And in their ability to shape their own destiny. They stated these beliefs in a Declaration of Interdependece which read in part "All men are created equal -- but each develops in a unique way. All men are endowed with certain inalienable rights -- but each must assume certain inevitable responsibilities. For the happiness and fulfillment of all depends on the commitment of each to accept equality abd uniqueness -- Rights and Responsibilities." In this land men had learned how two rights could make a costly wrong. That it may take less courage to point the finger of blame than to extend the hand of partnership and less wisdom to defend a narrow right than to seek a broader understanding. Most important of all, the people of this land had learned that the quest for truth is never over...that the challenge is always the same. To stop fighting long enough to listen To learn from those who differ To try new approaches To seek and test new relationships And to keep at a task that never ends.