Kalle Oakes, in his column June 16 about the EL graduation, picked up on the analogy of bodily functions, but clearly missed the analogous. This metaphor was a device through which we praised EL and introduced positive lessons learned.

I’ll remind him that I used digestion and defecation as a way to describe life as a feast, where you have to digest the good and the bad. My colleague used flatulence to represent free expression and individuality.

Our challenge was to use these taboos to bring out positive lessons, thus disarming them of their negative connotation. In regards to the “jaw dropping to chest, [and] hands flying through the air to cover a child’s ears,” our graduation speeches contained nothing that couldn’t be in a G-rated film. Indeed, the majority of the language used to describe the bodily functions was intentionally erudite, such as “defecation” and “flatulence,” words which an average child is unfamiliar with.

And if anyone was greatly offended by the few utterances of the words “fart” and “poop,” then I fear how low your jaw will drop the next time you sit down to watch those Saturday morning cartoons with your kid.

We chose the theme bodily functions because it provided a challenge and a break from the mundane. It is unfortunate that some only want to remember the analogy and not the meat of our speeches. To these few, I am sorry for the indigestion, but you need to chew before you swallow.

Peter Westcott, salutatorian, EL Class of 2004, Auburn

Copy the Story Link