CR’s March 21, 2025 Times Standard Article—Interesting Times
Mar 17 2025“May you live in interesting times.” Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) attributed the phrase to an old Chinese curse in his Ripple of Hope speech at the University of Cape Town in June 1966. In the speech, RFK drew parallels between the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa and the Civil Rights movement in the United States, saying:
“Like it or not, we live in interesting times. They are times of danger and uncertainty; but they are also the most creative of any time in the history of mankind.”
While there is no evidence that such a phrase exists in Chinese tradition; the framing of it as a curse is important – “interesting times” are rarely easy or enviable.
Higher education is certainly facing very interesting and challenging times, having been in the political crosshairs of lawmakers and the public for several years. I can recall Vice President JD Vance going as far as calling college and university instructors the “enemy.”
The debate over the role of the federal government in controlling what our professors include in their curriculum and the words we use in our policies, organizational documents, and websites has increased over the past several months. The New York Times published an article on March 7th titled These Words Are Disappearing in the New Trump Administration. The article lists hundreds of words that federal agencies, and some colleges and universities, are searching for, and in some cases removing, from websites and documents as they try to adhere to the new administration’s mandates on DEI. I encourage you to read the article to see just how broad and comprehensive the list is.
It is important to mention that the issue over DEI did not start with the President Trump; rather, it has been a point of contention for years, particularly as conservatives have rallied against what they call the spread of 'critical race theory' in education. Trump is simply following through on his campaign promise to reclaim universities and colleges from what he calls the “radical left.” His anti-DEI actions, including his aspiration to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy at Department of Education, will pose challenges for higher education. However, thinking back on Kennedy’s assertion that interesting times can also be creative ones, these aggressive efforts can also provide us the opportunity to review our mission and reaffirm CR’s core values
The confrontational political rhetoric and hardened positions we find ourselves mired in today serve as reminders of the critical role that higher education can and should play in protecting the fundamental democratic tenets of freedom of speech (even speech that we don’t agree with), adhering to the rule of law, and creating a space where the exchange of ideas is sacrosanct. At CR, we are committed to this mission – ensuring that, from basic literacy to transfer and career education, we provide an academic and civic foundation upon which dreams are built, and futures are shaped regardless of academic preparation or background.
As Kennedy also noted in his speech:
“Everything that makes man's life worthwhile – family, work, education, a place to rear one's children and a place to rest one's head – all this depends on the decisions of government… Therefore, the essential humanity of man can be protected and preserved only where the government must answer – not just to the wealthy; not just to those of a particular religion, not just to those of a particular race; but to all of the people.”
RFK’s speech serves as a model of courageous and compassionate leadership—something some would argue is lacking in our body politic today. I feel that our Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff exhibit the leadership exemplified by RFK every day.
Our actions demonstrate a belief that education is not just one of the worthwhile pilers of life. Rather, as Kennedy suggests, it is the foundation that makes all the others possible. At CR, we are proud of the fact that, every day, our faculty encourage students to embrace curiosity, explore new perspectives, and engage in genuine dialogue with people who may be different from themselves. We believe in the transformative power of knowledge to unlock the potential in every student and teach them to collaborate in a heterogenous society.
At our core, CR is a college community committed to opening educational doors, connecting cultures, and providing a pathway for a society and world where empowered minds lead us to a more just and sustainable future. I have seen first-hand, in my own life and the lives of countless CR students, how higher education can serve as a beacon of hope.
I encourage you to read or listen to RFK’s Ripple of Hope speech. You can find it here: Bobby Kennedy's 'Ripple of Hope' Speech.