作为留学生，在毕业典礼上受校长邀请，当着全校师生做毕业演讲，这本应是一件十分荣耀的事情，我们所有的中国留学生都应该为他们骄傲。
然而近日，马里兰大学的毕业典礼上，中国留学生Yang Shuping的毕业演讲却让台下的中国同学们感到无比尴尬。
她的演讲全程围绕两个要点：
中国的空气肮脏不堪，而美国“fresh and sweet”的空气竟然好到令她无比惊讶。
中国没有democracy, 只有在美国她才体会到什么是democracy和自由，在美国她可以想说啥说啥，想做啥做啥。
然而，这些不都是美国人天天在街边小报上看到的中国吗？
但她，却在全校师生面前为这些小报背书，把美国人对中国的成见再一次放大。
没错，中国的确有空气污染，美国的空气就真的很好吗？那请问纽约每天空气中弥漫的尿骚味也能美好到让你深深吸上一口气？
图片来源：spoiled NYC
美国的确是很讲究democracy，讲究到一条地铁线路就能商讨个一百多年……
在这位学生口中，美国就是大同社会，一切都可以用商议民主来自动运转，而中国就像美国人天天看到的洗脑文一样，处处肮脏，社会制度就跟朝鲜一样，而她，就是逃到美国的脱北者。
作为留学生，我们应该深知，自己在美国，学习是任务之一，而另一个很重要的任务就是文化交流。
图片来源：南华早报
何为文化交流？就是破除一切对中国的刻板印象，难道我们还想听到美国人问我们“为什么不留辫子”？“中国人是不是还吃不起肉？”“你在中国没见过汽车吧？”
我们的留学前辈们通过一代又一代的努力，终于让美国人对中国有了一定的了解，让他们知道原来中国是个现代化的国家。我们因为他们的努力，现在在美国学习、生活才有了基本的尊严。
我们不愿意看到自己的尊严被再一次踩在脚下！
以下是Yang Shuping在马里兰大学毕业典礼演讲的全文：
回复“演讲”可以观看演讲的视频
Good afternoon faculty students parents and friends.
I am truly honored and grateful to speak at the commencement for the University of Maryland, Class of 2017.
People often ask me: Why did you come to the University of Maryland?
I always answer: Fresh air.
Five years ago, as I step off the plane from China, and left the terminal at Dallas Airport. I was ready to put on one of my five face masks, but when I took my first breath of American air. I put my mask away.
The air was so sweet and fresh, and oddly luxurious.
I was surprised by this. I grew up in a city in China, where I had to wear a face mask every time I went outside, otherwise, I might get sick.
However, the moment I inhaled and exhaled outside the airport.
I felt free.
No more fog on my glasses, no more difficult breathing, no more suppression.
Every breath was a delight. As I stand here today, I cannot help, but recall that feeling of freedom.
At the University of Maryland, I assume feel another kind of fresh air for which I will be forever grateful — the fresh air of free speech.
Before I came to United States, I learned in history class about the Declaration of Independence, but these words had no meaning to me— Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness.
I was merely memorizing the words to get good grades.
These words sounded so strange, so abstract and so foreign to me, until I came to University of Maryland.
I have leaned the right to freely express oneself is sacred in American.
Each day in Maryland, I was encouraged to express my opinions on controversial issues.
I could challenge a statement made by my instructor. I could even rate my professors online.
But nothing prepared me for the culture shock I experienced when I watched a university production of the play— Twilight: Los Angeles.
Twilight is a play by Anna Deavere Smith about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots
The riots followed acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers in the videotaped arrest and beating of Rodney King.
For six days, the city was in chaos as citizens took to the streets.
In Twilight, the student actors were openly talking about racism, sexism and politics.
I was shocked, I never saw such topic could be discussed openly.
The play was my first taste of political storytelling, one that makes the audience think critically.
I have always had a burning desire to tell these kinds of stories, but I was convinced that only authorities on the narrative, only authorities could define the truth.
However, the opportunity to immerse myself in the diverse community at the University of Maryland exposed me to various, many different perspectives on truth.
I soon realized that here I have the opportunity to speak freely.
My voice matters.
Your voice matters.
Our voices matter.
Civil engagement is not a task just for politicians. I have witnessed this when I saw my fellow students marching in Washington DC, voting in the presidential election and raising money for support various causes.
I have seen that everyone has a right to participate and advocate for change.
I used to believe that one individual participation could not make a difference, but here we are, United Terps.
Together, we can push our society to be more just open and peaceful.
Class of 2017, we are graduating from a university that embraces a liberal arts education that nurtures us to think critically, and also to care and feel for humanity.
We are equipped with the knowledge of various disciplines and we are ready to face to the challenges of our society.
Some of us may go to graduate school, some us may step into professions and some of us may begin a journey of exploration.
But no matter what we do, remember, democracy and free speech should not be taken for granted.
Democracy and freedom are the fresh air that is worth fighting for.
Freedom is oxygen. Freedom is passion. Freedom is love.
And as a French philosopher Jean Paul Sartre once said: freedom is a choice, our future is dependent on the choices we make today and tomorrow.
We are all playwrights of the next chapters of our lives. Together, we right the human history.
My friends, enjoy the fresh air and never let it go.
Thank you.
