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I could challenge a statement made by my instructor. I couldeven rate my professors online.

我可以质疑导师的意见，我也可以在线上给老师评分。

But nothing prepared me for the culture shock I experienced whenI watched a university production of the play— Twilight: Los Angeles.

不过这些都不能和我第一次看到校内演出的戏剧《黄昏：洛杉矶》(Twilight: Los Angeles)时感受到的文化冲击相比。

Twilight is a play by Anna Deavere Smith about the 1992 LosAngeles Riots

这是Anna Deavere Smith撰写的关于1992年洛杉矶暴乱的一部剧。

The riots followed acquittal of four Los Angeles police officersin the videotaped arrest and beating of Rodney King.

那次暴动的导火线为当地陪审团宣判四名被控“使用过当武力”殴打Rodney King的警察无罪释放。

For six days, the city was in chaos as citizens took to thestreets.

6天内，人们走上街头抗议，城市陷入混乱。

In Twilight, the student actors were openly talking aboutracism, sexism and politics.

在这部剧里，学生演员公开地讨论种族歧视，性别歧视和政治话题。

I was shocked, I never saw such topic could be discussed openly.

我很惊讶，我从来不曾想过这样的话题可以被公开讨论。

The play was my first taste of political storytelling, one thatmakes the audience think critically.

这部剧是我第一次接触和政治有关的戏剧内容，它让观众辩证地思考。

I have always had a burning desire to tell these kinds ofstories, but I was convinced that only authorities on the narrative, onlyauthorities could define the truth.

一直以来，我都很渴望去讲述这样的故事，不过我曾相信只有权威的人才有资格讲述，只有权威部门才能界定事实。

However, the opportunity to immerse myself in the diversecommunity at the University of Maryland exposed me to various, many differentperspectives on truth.

但是，沉浸在马里兰大学这种多远的文化中让我有机会能够接触不同的、多样的视角，去看待事实。

I soon realized that here I have the opportunity to speakfreely.

我很快意识到了在这里我有自由发声的机会。

My voice matters.

Your voice matters.

Our voices matter.

我的声音很重要。

你的声音很重要。

我们的声音都很重要。

Civil engagement is not a task just for politicians.

公民参与不仅仅是政治家的任务。

I have witnessed this when I saw my fellow students marching inWashington DC, voting in the presidential election and raising money forsupport various causes.

我亲眼见到了我的同学们参与在华盛顿特区的游行，参与总统投票，为了各种各样的原因募集资金。

I have seen that everyone has a right to participate andadvocate for change.

我见证了每个人都有参与、推进改革的权利。

I used to believe that one individual participation could notmake a difference, but here we are, United Terps.

我曾以为一个人的能力也许不能做成什么，但是我们在这片土地上，美国。

Together, we can push our society to be more just open andpeaceful.

在一起，我们能推进我们的社会，让它变得更开明和平和。

Class of 2017, we are graduating from a university that embracesa liberal arts education that nurtures us to think critically, and also to careand feel for humanity.

2017届的同学们，我们从一所拥抱人文教育、重视思辨能力、关注人道的大学毕业了。

We are equipped with the knowledge of various disciplines and weare ready to face to the challenges of our society.

我们具备了不同学科的知识，并准备好面对社会的挑战。

Some of us may go to graduate school, some us may step intoprofessions and some of us may begin a journey of exploration.

我们中的有些人也许会继续读研究生，有的人会开启自己的职业生涯，有些人会开始求索的历程。

But no matter what we do, remember, democracy and free speechshould not be taken for granted.

不过无论我们做什么，记住，民主和言论自由不是简简单单就得到的。

Democracy and freedom are the fresh air that is worth fighting for.

民主与自由是值得我们为之奋斗的、至关重要的新鲜空气。

Freedom is oxygen. Freedom is passion. Freedom is love.

自由就是氧气，自由是热情，自由是爱。

And as a French philosopher Jean Paul Sartre once said: freedomis a choice, our future is dependent on the choices we make today and tomorrow.

就像法国哲学家萨特曾经说的：自由是一种选择，我们的未来就取决于我们在今天做的选择。

We are all playwrights of the next chapters of our lives.Together, we right the human history.

我们为自己的人生写下下一篇章，我们一起，写下人类的历史。

My friends, enjoy the fresh air and never let it go.

我的朋友们，享受这里的新鲜空气，不要放手。

Thank you.

谢谢。

附录二：马里兰大学声明

The University of Maryland, like all public universities, is amarketplace of ideas. It is a place founded on academic freedom, the freedom ofexpression, and the right of every individual to share their thoughts and viewsin a welcoming and nurturing academic environment.

马里兰大学与所有公立大学一样，是思想的市集。它建立在学术自由、表达自由的基础上，这里的学术环境欢迎并支持每个人分享自己的看法与观点。

As a top student, Shuping Yang was selected by committee todeliver remarks during our university's commencement exercises on Sunday, May21. She expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to study in the UnitedStates at the University of Maryland and shared her views on aspects of thatexperience.

Yang Shuping是我校尖子生，委员会选她于5月21日(星期日)在学校毕业典礼上发言。她对有机会在美国马里兰大学求学表达了感激之情，并基于自身经历分享了一些感悟。

The University believes that to be an informed global citizen itis critical to hear different viewpoints, to embrace diversity, and demonstratetolerance when faced with views with which we may disagree. Listening to andrespectfully engaging with those whom we disagree are essential skills, bothwithin university walls and beyond.

校方认为，我们要成为见多识广的全球公民，至关重要的一点是学会倾听不同观点，拥抱多样性，并包容自己不认可的见解。对持有不同意见者给予聆听和尊重，是大学求学和未来社会生活中的重要技能。

The University proudly supports Shuping's right to share herviews and her unique perspectives and we commend her on lending her voice onthis joyous occasion.

校方骄傲地支持Shuping分享观点和独特见解的权利，并对她在庆典上发声表示赞许。