This May 19th marked the Commencement of the Tufts graduating class of 2013.
Looking back at my graduation photos, my favorite detail was the white lotus stole I wore against my black cap and gown. Birthed of student initiative, this was the first year Tufts students of the Asian Diaspora celebrated their ethnic roots and academic achievements through this tradition. I was excited about the way the stylish blue on white design adorned my outfit, but also reflected on the meaning of the stole.
Our commencement speaker this year was Stanford School of Education Dean and social psychologist Claude M. Steele. Dean Steele is most known for his work on the ‘Stereotype Threat’, a phenomenon in which one may feel pressured to behave a certain way to avoid confirming a negative stereotype about his or her group. His research is applicable to both majority and minority ethnic groups, especially in an academic setting. Learning about his work and hearing him speak made me think further about the significance of the lotus stoles. Though most of my peers embraced the initiative and complimented me on the beautiful stoles, I have also heard a few express doubt, or even criticism of ethnic stoles and ethnic graduation ceremonies in general. Some find it unnecessary, or even discriminatory. So why did I still choose to wear my stole?
I wore the lotus stole proudly because I believe it celebrates the inclusion rather than discrimination. Seeing the beautiful Hispanic Diaspora, African Diaspora stoles at graduation reminded me that creating opportunities for different peoples to succeed is something that makes America special. I wore the lotus stole because I wanted to fight the stereotype threat and announce my academic achievements in International Relations as a Chinese American, regardless of what stereotypes exist surrounding Asians and academic success. I wore the lotus stole because Dean Steele’s antidote to the Stereotype Threat was to “lean in” and “ask questions”—to actively engage and immerse oneself in the diverse society we live in so that we can understand and be understood, embrace and be embraced.
I hope that moving forward in my professional life, I can carry the same spirit of courage, resilience, and societal awareness represented by the white lotus stoles. A true congratulations to my fellow graduating class of 2013!