It often seems an era is defined by its most influential
leaders. But as UCLA students descend from Bruin Walk one last time
against the backdrop of a sun-drenched Powell Library and charge
forward in a renewed pursuit of happiness, it will be the absence
of these influential leaders that will move them.
The last four years have marked the physical end of a golden
American generation.
In 2001, the world parted with one if its greatest authors, John
Knowles. His most admired work, the novel “A Separate
Peace,” is a poignant coming-of-age narrative. The leading
character of the story, Gene Forrester, illustrates the pain and
distress that graduating seniors must now face.
It is the pain of final maturation, the irreversible plunge into
life. The book also discusses the effects of war, which had
disturbed the peace of the Devon River similar to how war now
disrupts the lives of millions worldwide. Knowles gave to us an
inspired understanding of human emotion and growth.
In 2002, the United States mourned the passing of Ted Williams,
a baseball giant. Though he was a Triple Crown winner and a Hall of
Fame inductee, his appeal was in his abilities, not in his
accolades.
His remarkable career in the sport was interrupted by World War
II and the Korean War ““ Williams served as a bomber pilot in
both. But when he returned home, Williams was able to pick up his
game again as if nothing had happened. His career reflected the
history of the United States. In times of happiness, he gave
America a cause for celebration; in times of anguish, he gave
hope.
In 2003, the moral hero of Hollywood, Gregory Peck, passed on.
He is survived by Atticus Finch of “To Kill a
Mockingbird,” in which he exemplified his defining career
role ““ the principled and determined hero who finds injustice
and seeks to correct it. Peck gave a whole generation of Americans
the power and moral courage to stand up for their ideals, whatever
the social costs may be.
What Peck idealized on the silver screen, Ronald Reagan embodied
in real life. As the 40th president of the United States, Reagan
told Americans to be optimistic and patriotic. Through some of his
successful economic programs, he proved there was reason for
optimism. Through his ideological war with the Soviet Union, he
proved there was reason for patriotism.
Last Thursday, the world lost legendary soul singer Ray Charles,
who made Americans cry with “Say No More,” smile with
“Hit The Road, Jack,” and rejoice with “America,
the Beautiful.”
Blind in the eyes but with vision in his soul, Charles sang all
of life’s pain and longing, its survival and celebration. His
life might have been molded by the heritage of the skin he did not
see, but he was nonetheless liberated through hope and
achievement.
As UCLA graduates leave the university and enter the universe,
they must remember these heroes ““ these immortal Americans
““ who taught each of us the value of human accomplishment and
the possibilities of a life without end.
Hovannisian is a Daily Bruin columnist. E-mail him at
ghovannisian@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to
viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.