At the Furman University graduation on May 31, I learned firsthand that the vast majority of people, at least in that arena, are respectful of the Office of the President of the United States of America. It was refreshing and invigorating and added a dimension of national pride to the personal accomplishments of the graduates.

The protesters were so small in number that they were hardly noticeable, and according to protocol, they were kept well away from the venue. The 12 professors who insisted on putting themselves above the graduates simply looked silly standing there in their white T-shirts with "We Object" written across them.

They received no attention from the crowd, but when the motorcade approached the stadium, the stands erupted in applause, a standing ovation honoring the arrival of President Bush. His speech was folksy and focused on many of the same points he addresses at other commencements. It was a unique privilege that he was in our midst that evening.

Free speech is certainly one of the rights that we enjoy in our country, and I will never deny anyone’s right to express their opinion. Healthy debate on issues is vital to our republic, and I expect we will hear quite a bit of that in the coming months.

Free speech, however, also involves the human capacity to know when it’s appropriate to keep your opinions to yourself. There are times when a person’s voice pales in comparison to a greater cause or event. There are times when people need to recognize that freedom of speech includes knowing when to be quiet.

Some people have forgotten that. In this "me first" culture, too many people are so clearly focused on self that they forget there is anyone else in the world or that there could be something just a tad bit more important than their opinion.

Furman English department chairman and professor Stanley Crowe said in an article prior to Bush’s speech, "There’s a part of me that wants to be there for the students. I want to be there for the institution, for what it stands for. And what it stands for is the opposite of what George Bush stands for."

I don’t know Mr. Crowe. I don’t know that Furman University stands for the opposite of what George Bush represents. I think that Mr. Crowe is opposed to what President Bush stands for; and he chose to put his own feelings above that of his students. Listen to his words again, "There’s a part of me that wants to be there for the students. I want to be there for the institution….."

Mr. Crowe gave in to a lesser part of himself by pushing aside the greater good of doing just what he expressed – being there for his students ... being there for the institution. It would not have hurt Mr. Crowe or diminished his personal political opinions to sit in respect for the President of the United States and for his students at their college graduation ceremony. Instead, he chose to give in to the "me first" culture and make a minor spectacle of himself. How petty.

President Bush talked a great deal about putting others first. Students in the "me first" generation need to hear these words again and again. Some have learned these lessons in their homes; others have learned them through service activities in school and community groups.

Nonetheless, it cannot be said enough that putting others first leads to a very fulfilling life. It also cannot be exemplified enough by adults who lead, educate, influence and encourage these young adults. What a shame that Professor Crowe and the associates who stood with him could not, indeed, put others first on a special night of celebration.

Harris Murray is director of library services at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. She can be reached by e-mail at writeharris55@yahoo.com.

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