If there’s nothing else you take away from this talk, take away this quote, which I attribute to myself: “Submission is often stupid; Authority is often undeserved; and Respect is often un-respected; but the mix of these all, in sizable amount, is the basis of a lawful society.”
I’m very unorthodox and won’t reveal the virtue of the week immediately, but I invite you to guess it. I’ll begin with a story—one
about myself. In Junior Secondary School (JSS2), I was often compared to my sister, Maryjane Emeh, especially for our differences in behavior. After her graduation in 2021, I looked forward to being at school alone, but I made a mistake. I brought contraband back to school after the holidays, thinking I could hide it. When it was found, I earned my first in-school suspension. Had I respected the order of things and obeyed the rules, that would never have happened.
This week’s lesson is more than just being caught with contraband in the school—it’s about embracing the structure that surrounds us. It calls us to follow the rhythm of the world around us, especially here at the JMC campus. That rhythm shapes our days, whether it’s attending Mass punctually or going to the dining hall even when the meal isn’t to our taste. Adhering to these routines teaches us discipline, punctuality, and respect.
But following these structures isn’t about blind submission. It’s about recognizing the value in the frameworks that guide us. There’s a deeper sense of commitment when we align ourselves with the processes in place, knowing they exist for a reason. From there, we create firm foundations upon which our personal growth and systems can flourish.
Think about the U.S. electoral process. It’s not without flaws, but the basic understanding that it exists to maintain democracy allows society to trust it. Citizens cast their votes, not just because it’s a rule, but because they believe in the stability that the structure offers. In the same way, we align ourselves with established guidelines, knowing that they exist for our good and create a balance that allows both personal and communal development.
In life, especially in spaces like medicine or professional environments, some steps simply can’t be skipped. Whether it’s following protocol in surgery, respecting hierarchy in the workplace, or even the sun rising and setting like clockwork every day, these processes ensure order and progression – they form bases upon which our own journeys take shape, helping us build our own systems of discipline and success.
If nothing else, take this with you: while submission, authority, and respect may seem complicated, it’s our willingness to align with the greater order around us that leads to a lawful and functioning world. My name is Emeh Upright, and I present the virtue of the week: Trusting the System.
Upright EMEH
Class of 2025
Delivered during School Assembly on Monday 23 September 2024