• 歐洲之聲發刊詞 Eng
  • 關於我們 About us
  • 隱私條款 Privacy Policy
  • 提供新聞 Authors contributions
  • 連絡我們 Contact us
歐洲之聲 Sino Euro Voices
  • 首頁
  • 關注熱點

    ChatGPT其實沒有多厲害?圖靈獎得主為何說「現在的人工智慧還不如一隻貓」

    【田牧筆談】戰爭:兔年最大的憂慮與隱患

    台海會在2025年開戰嗎

    潘永忠:烏克蘭獲勝與否,事關維護與確保歐盟未來的和平發展環境

    【比爾曼自傳】第十九章 死之前還有日子好過呢(二)

    上一個 下一個
  • 政經論壇

    【香江寄語】:中國能否走出歷史的治亂怪圈——從周朝享有800年國祚談起

    人類共識的終極認同 一一《神諭聖經憲法揭秘》

    【田牧筆談】戰爭:兔年最大的憂慮與隱患

    台海會在2025年開戰嗎

    【老陳時評】:總理阿登的辭職與紐西蘭的政治文化

    上一個 下一個
  • 人權觀察

    樹上縊吊的不是胡鑫宇

    【老陳時評】:罪惡中的罪惡活摘器官何時了!

    秋後算帳範圍擴大 白紙運動示威者擔保人傳「被消失」

    反抗壓迫、新年除習

    北京疾控開慶功大會網怒:北京死幾十萬人屍骨未寒,喪盡天良!

    上一個 下一個
  • 人文天下

    人類共識的終極認同 一一《神諭聖經憲法揭秘》

    【老陳時評】:臺灣之舞

    【淇園漫步】走出聖經到「米兔」的蘇珊娜 ——記科隆瓦爾拉夫博物館特展

    我在等你

    有案在身的陳日君樞機獲教宗方濟各接見 讚賞陳探監不斷

    上一個 下一個
  • 歐洲風情

    【淇園漫步】走出聖經到「米兔」的蘇珊娜 ——記科隆瓦爾拉夫博物館特展

    「算香」義大利麵

    【淇園漫步】「猶太母豬」宣判無罪

    「永遠不會發生」 烏克蘭抨擊用土地換和平

    Internet Censorship 2022: A Global Map of Internet Restrictions

    上一個 下一個
  • 文學世界

    毛澤東和習近平在2015(警世話劇)

    【香江寄語】:毛澤東在成都的行宮金牛壩

    我在等你

    謝志偉的「和平蛋糕」

    家國之事不敢不問

    上一個 下一個
  • 視頻薈萃

    達賴喇嘛和屠圖宗師——《喜悅》紀錄片帶給人類什麼?

    他的謙遜和人性力量-STATEMENT on the 5th Anniversary of the Death of LIU Xiaobo

    永不熄滅的明燈——劉曉波逝世五周年倫敦紀念活動YouTube視屏

    與曉波討論西方的「綏靖政策」——劉曉波逝世5週年倫敦紀念會上的講話

    紀念劉曉波的重要而現實意義

    上一個 下一個
  • 專文
    • 田牧新著
    • 淇園漫步
    • 田牧筆談
    • 老陳時評
    • 胡平論政
    • 香江寄語
    • 北京觀察
    • 比爾曼自傳
    • 潤南文苑
    • 雪山下的火焰
  • 古典音樂

    精選舒伯特鋼琴古典音樂Ⅱ

    約翰斯特勞斯「春之聲」圓舞曲

    維瓦地古典音樂精選

    孟德爾松古典音樂

    布拉姆斯古典音樂精選

    上一個 下一個
  • English

    EU lines up 70 projects to rival China’s Belt and Road infrastructure spending

    無國界記者強烈要求當局釋放病痛纏身的調查記者黃琦RSF urges for release of ailing investigative journalist Huang Qi

    北京的影響力工程的目標與論述

    北京的全球媒體影響力:威權擴充和民主的復原力量Authoritarian Expansion and the Power of Democratic Resilience

    Beijing’s Global Media Influence 2022北京的全球媒體影響力

    上一個 下一個
  • 首頁
  • 關注熱點

    ChatGPT其實沒有多厲害?圖靈獎得主為何說「現在的人工智慧還不如一隻貓」

    【田牧筆談】戰爭:兔年最大的憂慮與隱患

    台海會在2025年開戰嗎

    潘永忠:烏克蘭獲勝與否,事關維護與確保歐盟未來的和平發展環境

    【比爾曼自傳】第十九章 死之前還有日子好過呢(二)

    上一個 下一個
  • 政經論壇

    【香江寄語】:中國能否走出歷史的治亂怪圈——從周朝享有800年國祚談起

    人類共識的終極認同 一一《神諭聖經憲法揭秘》

    【田牧筆談】戰爭:兔年最大的憂慮與隱患

    台海會在2025年開戰嗎

    【老陳時評】:總理阿登的辭職與紐西蘭的政治文化

    上一個 下一個
  • 人權觀察

    樹上縊吊的不是胡鑫宇

    【老陳時評】:罪惡中的罪惡活摘器官何時了!

    秋後算帳範圍擴大 白紙運動示威者擔保人傳「被消失」

    反抗壓迫、新年除習

    北京疾控開慶功大會網怒:北京死幾十萬人屍骨未寒,喪盡天良!

    上一個 下一個
  • 人文天下

    人類共識的終極認同 一一《神諭聖經憲法揭秘》

    【老陳時評】:臺灣之舞

    【淇園漫步】走出聖經到「米兔」的蘇珊娜 ——記科隆瓦爾拉夫博物館特展

    我在等你

    有案在身的陳日君樞機獲教宗方濟各接見 讚賞陳探監不斷

    上一個 下一個
  • 歐洲風情

    【淇園漫步】走出聖經到「米兔」的蘇珊娜 ——記科隆瓦爾拉夫博物館特展

    「算香」義大利麵

    【淇園漫步】「猶太母豬」宣判無罪

    「永遠不會發生」 烏克蘭抨擊用土地換和平

    Internet Censorship 2022: A Global Map of Internet Restrictions

    上一個 下一個
  • 文學世界

    毛澤東和習近平在2015(警世話劇)

    【香江寄語】:毛澤東在成都的行宮金牛壩

    我在等你

    謝志偉的「和平蛋糕」

    家國之事不敢不問

    上一個 下一個
  • 視頻薈萃

    達賴喇嘛和屠圖宗師——《喜悅》紀錄片帶給人類什麼?

    他的謙遜和人性力量-STATEMENT on the 5th Anniversary of the Death of LIU Xiaobo

    永不熄滅的明燈——劉曉波逝世五周年倫敦紀念活動YouTube視屏

    與曉波討論西方的「綏靖政策」——劉曉波逝世5週年倫敦紀念會上的講話

    紀念劉曉波的重要而現實意義

    上一個 下一個
  • 專文
    • 田牧新著
    • 淇園漫步
    • 田牧筆談
    • 老陳時評
    • 胡平論政
    • 香江寄語
    • 北京觀察
    • 比爾曼自傳
    • 潤南文苑
    • 雪山下的火焰
  • 古典音樂

    精選舒伯特鋼琴古典音樂Ⅱ

    約翰斯特勞斯「春之聲」圓舞曲

    維瓦地古典音樂精選

    孟德爾松古典音樂

    布拉姆斯古典音樂精選

    上一個 下一個
  • English

    EU lines up 70 projects to rival China’s Belt and Road infrastructure spending

    無國界記者強烈要求當局釋放病痛纏身的調查記者黃琦RSF urges for release of ailing investigative journalist Huang Qi

    北京的影響力工程的目標與論述

    北京的全球媒體影響力:威權擴充和民主的復原力量Authoritarian Expansion and the Power of Democratic Resilience

    Beijing’s Global Media Influence 2022北京的全球媒體影響力

    上一個 下一個
沒有結果
查看所有結果
歐洲之聲 Sino Euro Voices
沒有結果
查看所有結果
首頁 English

Break the Shell- Commencement Address at the PENN State Dickinson Law School

肖國珍文 /肖國珍
2021 年 5 月 18 日
在 English, 專文, 關注熱點
Break the Shell- Commencement Address at the PENN State Dickinson Law School

Xiao Guozhen received the graduate certificate at the PENN State Dickinson Law School on May 13. 2021.

转换简体
分享到 Facebook分享到 Twitter分享到 Line分享到 WeChat

(Editor’s note) The author of this article, Ms. Xiao Guozhen, is a human rights lawyer in China. She came to the United States a few years ago. In the beginning, without English knowledge she has to take any available job and worked hard in order to raise her two young daughters. In August last year, she entered the Penn State Dickinson Law School. In less than a year, she achieved excellent academic grades and received a master’s degree. As a graduate representative, she delivered a speech at the graduation ceremony on May 13, 2021. In the past, Xiao Guozhen also served as the secretary-general of the Independent Chinese PEN Center. She worked tirelessly and responsibly for the PEN. Recently, there is a worrisome phenomenon of hatred of Asians in American society. A diligent, courageous, and outstanding Asian woman like Ms. Xiao would be the most powerful denial to the ethnic prejudice. The following is Xiao Guozhen’s speech at the graduation ceremony of the Master’s and Doctoral Program of Law School.

推薦新聞

ChatGPT其實沒有多厲害?圖靈獎得主為何說「現在的人工智慧還不如一隻貓」

ChatGPT其實沒有多厲害?圖靈獎得主為何說「現在的人工智慧還不如一隻貓」

2023 年 2 月 3 日
【香江寄語】:中國能否走出歷史的治亂怪圈——從周朝享有800年國祚談起

【香江寄語】:中國能否走出歷史的治亂怪圈——從周朝享有800年國祚談起

2023 年 2 月 2 日

Commencement Address by Guozhen Xiao (May 13, 2021)

Congratulations, class of 2021!

We have been isolated by Covid-19 for such a long time, at last we gather together, right? We have been silent for such a long time, let’s make some noise!

We have borne enough this year, right? Thank God it’s graduation-day!

Think about the wonderful stories you can tell your grandkids. Start each story in this way, “Once upon a time, we were forced to wear masks at the law school. No one could see each other’s faces.” That’s why I took off my mask, I want to show the truth, even though truth is not necessarily beautiful, but truth is truth—even on graduation-day.

You may be wondering: why this Asian woman, who is the age of many classmates’ mothers, came to Dickinson Law from ten-thousand miles away—from another hemisphere?

The reason is simple: I want to break the shell!

Looking back on my life, it’s all a process of breaking the shell—one after another.

When I was young, I loved watching chickens hatch out of their shells. It was so amazing. All the birds in the world—even if they fly the highest—are born by breaking their shells.

I was an economist and considered “legal language” the most boring in the world. So, what made me break the shell and become a lawyer?

It was in the 1990’s, a relative was suspected of committing a crime but we were unable to afford an attorney. The solution was to become a lawyer. There were only 3 months for me to prepare for the Bar Exam, and the books to study had 6032 pages. I forced myself to read 200 pages a day. It was so stressful that I cried. I didn’t even have time to wipe my tears.

I know why I could pass the Bar on the first try—my desire to break the shell was so strong!

Upon hatching, first, I found that legal language is most charming. It is so concise, so beautiful, and should use not one word more, and not one word less.

Second, my thinking took a big leap: I began to understand that I did not know what I did not know, and I started to observe the world with “legal eyes”.

After a few years of practice, I loved this profession so much that I hoped to do it for the rest of my life.  So, I decided to break the shell again—to enter law school. (I’ll tell you a secret: when I passed the bar exam, I had not any legal education).  

Nineteen years ago, at the Law School in Beijing, I was the oldest among dozens of female classmates. Today, I may be the oldest student at Dickinson Law, without binary distinction.

During the three years at the Beijing law school, I created a masterpiece—my first daughter, Monica.  (She’s here with me today.) That left me two years to finish. And, I made it!

At that time, China enforced the One-child Policy, forbidding a second child. But, in four years, again, I decided to break the shell and had my second daughter, Julia—an “illegal” child in marriage.

China’s policy is like the moon and may be different on the 1st and 15th day of the month. Ten years after Julia hatched, China made the Two-child Policy. Government slogans stated, “the local official shall be in charge of assuring every woman in their village should have a second child.” Thanks be to God; I have had two children without the help of my local official.

In the novel “The Godfather,” the Don says, “A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns.” Making money certainly can make a person happy; but I heard the calling and I broke another shell. I started helping those who were hopeless and in need of an attorney. Such activity in the service of others brought me to leave China, and come to America, and then, to Dickinson Law.

Yes, all the way, I’ve been breaking the shell.

When I am not satisfied, I tell myself: break the shell!

When the status quo is good, I tell myself: Don’t be greedy for the easy life; break the shell!

Xiao Guozhen is delievering her speech at the commencement ceremony of the Penn State Dickinson Law School on May 13, 2021

In the USA, my heart echoed with “I have a dream;” The Statue of Liberty lit my way to learn the laws of the United States.  Now, English is my toughest shell. I am still struggling with speaking American. All the outstanding people here today have been helping me crack it.

When I was afraid that my English was not good enough and refrained from asking questions, Professor Mogill walked to my seat and said to me: “If you have any questions, please ask. No question is too small to ask.” I realized that Dickinson Law is the school that I dreamed of.

When Dean Dodge said at the orientation, “If you have any difficulties, please come to us—that’s why we are here. We don’t want any students to go to bed hungry.” I realized that Dickinson Law is the school that I dreamed of.

When incidents of hate toward Asians happen in this country, Dean Conway told me, “Guozhen—this is your name and your identity. Just keep your name. You should be proud of being Asian.” I realized that Dickinson Law is the school that I dreamed of.

When Professor Groome, Professor Cole and Dean Ax-Fultz said: “Even after you graduate, you can always find me, when you need help.” I realized that Dickinson Law is the school that I dreamed of.

Professor Morris, you probably have not counted but we have sent each other over 350 emails! You let me know, Dickinson Law is the school that I dreamed of.

When I asked for help from my classmates, no exception, everyone helped with all their enthusiasm—you let me know, Dickinson Law is the school that I dreamed of.              

Sometimes, the pressure has made me cry—not only you cried,  I cried too—like when I was preparing for the Bar Exam in China.

But this time is different—you are with me. I do not feel lonely. I’d like to thank all of you: our professors, all the staff, and my classmates, all of you who are here and who are online to watch us because you care about us. —— Dickinson Law has nourished us!

The days we have spent in law school are the “incubation period” of our lives. The high-flying bird can break its shell because it is nourished by calcium absorbed from the shell. Every class, every page of a book, and every interesting conversation has made me grow. I believe the same for you.

The little bird that hatches from its shell must continue to grow before it can fly high. We must now continue to grow, as lawyers and citizens.

The forest will not hinder the stream. The sky will not hinder the flying bird. No matter what challenge is in our future, we will find the way!

Our vision can reach where we have not yet walked; Our hearts can reach what we have not yet seen. Only when you want to fly, can you break the shell. When the shell is broken, there will be a pain; but if the shell is not broken, it will be painful for a lifetime. With each broken shell, we are reborn.

Don’t be afraid of the unknown outside the shell. Once you break it, you’ll be a bird beyond the clouds! 

Break the shell! — Even if it is whom you worship.

Break the shell! — Even if it was your whole world!

Break the shell! — If it is an outdated law.

Break the shell! — If it is an unjust system. 

Thank you!

標籤: Penn State Dickinson Law SchoolXiao Guozhen
分享Tweet分享分享
上一篇文章

這是一場只能贏不能輸的戰爭

下一篇文章

打破這殼!——賓州州立大學迪金森法學院畢業演講

肖國珍

肖國珍

相關文章

ChatGPT其實沒有多厲害?圖靈獎得主為何說「現在的人工智慧還不如一隻貓」
專文

ChatGPT其實沒有多厲害?圖靈獎得主為何說「現在的人工智慧還不如一隻貓」

2023 年 2 月 3 日
【香江寄語】:中國能否走出歷史的治亂怪圈——從周朝享有800年國祚談起
專文

【香江寄語】:中國能否走出歷史的治亂怪圈——從周朝享有800年國祚談起

2023 年 2 月 2 日
【田牧筆談】戰爭:兔年最大的憂慮與隱患
政經論壇

【田牧筆談】戰爭:兔年最大的憂慮與隱患

2023 年 2 月 1 日
台海會在2025年開戰嗎
政經論壇

台海會在2025年開戰嗎

2023 年 2 月 1 日
【老陳時評】:罪惡中的罪惡活摘器官何時了!
人權觀察

【老陳時評】:罪惡中的罪惡活摘器官何時了!

2023 年 2 月 1 日
【老陳時評】:總理阿登的辭職與紐西蘭的政治文化
專文

【老陳時評】:總理阿登的辭職與紐西蘭的政治文化

2023 年 1 月 31 日
下一篇文章
打破這殼!——賓州州立大學迪金森法學院畢業演講

打破這殼!——賓州州立大學迪金森法學院畢業演講

重寫歷史繡黃袍——中共招魂文革

重寫歷史繡黃袍——中共招魂文革

危險的信號:習版《中國共產黨簡史》或明或暗地爲文革翻案

危險的信號:習版《中國共產黨簡史》或明或暗地爲文革翻案

熱門文章

Break the Shell- Commencement Address at the PENN State Dickinson Law School

Break the Shell- Commencement Address at the PENN State Dickinson Law School

2021 年 5 月 18 日
彭帥成為全球新聞焦點(附錄:彭帥微博原文)

彭帥成為全球新聞焦點(附錄:彭帥微博原文)

2021 年 11 月 23 日
習近平的弱點-狂妄與偏執如何威脅中國的未來

習近平的弱點-狂妄與偏執如何威脅中國的未來

2022 年 9 月 7 日
堅決攔截新一輪病毒肆虐世界一一致世界各國政府的公開信

堅決攔截新一輪病毒肆虐世界一一致世界各國政府的公開信

2023 年 1 月 8 日
反抗壓迫、新年除習

反抗壓迫、新年除習

2023 年 1 月 22 日
【香江寄語】:毛澤東在成都的行宮金牛壩

【香江寄語】:毛澤東在成都的行宮金牛壩

2023 年 1 月 18 日
讚《千里江山圖》,且議《只此青綠》

讚《千里江山圖》,且議《只此青綠》

2022 年 2 月 14 日
歐洲之聲

歐洲之聲網站根植於歐陸,創刊於庚子年新冠疫情席捲全球之際。數據化時代早已來臨,面對浩瀚的知識和信息海洋,太容易迷失方向。作為長年的媒體工作者,本網刊願為華語世界的讀者傳送平實可靠的資訊,也為追求民主、自由、人權的有識之士及愛好文藝的友朋提供寫作發文的平台。祈望這裡成為志同道合者共同耕耘的園地。

分類

  • English
  • 人文天下
  • 人權觀察
  • 北京觀察
  • 古典音樂
  • 墨爾本夜語
  • 專文
  • 政經論壇
  • 文學世界
  • 未分類
  • 歐洲風情
  • 比爾曼自傳
  • 淇園漫步
  • 潤南文苑
  • 田牧新著
  • 田牧筆談
  • 老陳時評
  • 胡平論政
  • 視頻薈萃
  • 關注熱點
  • 雪山下的火焰
  • 香江寄語
  • 歐洲風情
【淇園漫步】走出聖經到「米兔」的蘇珊娜 ——記科隆瓦爾拉夫博物館特展

【淇園漫步】走出聖經到「米兔」的蘇珊娜 ——記科隆瓦爾拉夫博物館特展

2023 年 1 月 26 日
「算香」義大利麵

「算香」義大利麵

2023 年 1 月 8 日

適用電子郵件訂閱網站

輸入你的電子郵件地址訂閱網站的新文章,使用電子郵件接收新通知。

關注我們

沒有結果
查看所有結果
  • 首頁
  • 關注熱點
  • 政經論壇
  • 人權觀察
  • 人文天下
  • 歐洲風情
  • 文學世界
  • 視頻薈萃
  • 專文
    • 墨爾本夜語
    • 香江寄語
    • 胡平論政
    • 北京觀察
    • 潤南文苑
    • 淇園漫步
    • 老陳時評
    • 雪山下的火焰
  • English
  • 古典音樂
  • 田牧新著

© 2020 歐洲之聲 Sino Euro Voices.

歐洲之聲網站使用 cookie 為您提供更好的使用體驗, 請閱讀我們的 隱私權政策,通過使用表示您確認並同意我們的政策。