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Focus, clarity and honesty are difficult things to come by from public figures. However, Sonoma State University found those qualities and a whole host more when they decided to invite Henry Rollins as this year's commencement speaker.
Known for his candid take on the world at large, Rollins will be addressing SSU seniors, faculty and guests at graduation on Sat., May 23.
While mainstream culture might know Rollins from his stint as lead singer of the influential punk band Black Flag, the 48- year- old Washington D.C. native has gone on to craft a successful and outspoken career for himself.
He also fronted the Henry Rollins Band, which remained fluidly active from 1987 to about 2003, in addition to releasing a series of spoken word albums that tackled issues of societal greed as well as the human condition.
Rollins has also appeared in numerous feature length films in addition to dabbling in radio and television. His most recent TV spots include hosting Independent Film Channel's "The Henry Rollins Show" as well as an upcoming role on FX's "Sons of Anarchy."
Taking time out of his busy schedule, Rollins addressed his role as commencement speaker, what he hopes to impart on graduates and how the university approached him with the idea.
"They picked me," said Rollins, seeming flattered by the acknowledgement. "I was speaking up in Santa Rosa and I guess someone from the university liked what I had to say. They talked to my manager and it got me really interested. I thought 'Cool, I'm sure I can say something appropriate for the occasion.'"
With a smooth register and carefully phrased observations, Rollins pointed out how seniors are not only entering the world at a time of great social flux, but how their university education has afforded them certain luxuries as well as social obligations.
"Apathy is off the table when you have these privileges," said Rollins. "It makes sense for a guy with a fourth grade education to not feel engaged, but not for someone who has tread the waters of academia and is aware of what the world faces. With educated people in the world, there is no excuse for classism, sexism or homophobia. Those with money and education should be the most generous and the most thoughtful."
"Young people are the new decision makers," he continued. "They'll be responsible for not only shaping the future of the country, but of the world. Yeah, these are challenging times, but they also provide a great opportunity. You can't bank on apathy; you're not allowed to have a lifestyle like that anymore."
Unlike most celebrities that use the public realm as a soap box, Rollins is conscious of the roll the younger generation has at the present. With wars, dwindling resources and financial instability looming on the horizon, Rollins hopes that his words will allow graduates the ability to gain perspective on the role they can play in tackling these issues.
"I'm hoping to give a sort of pep-talk," he said. "Graduates have a real shot here when they leave a university, and they need to save us with their enthusiasm, with their drive to fix the world. You don't have to be an environmentalist or a politician to make change," he continued. "Giving a damn about these issues gets you 99 percent there. I think wanting to be part of a solution can create a civic responsibility that motivates people."
Rollins seemed to recognize the need for personal investment in what the world faces, but was also careful to stress the sense of community that is needed to enact real change.
"The future has to be different," said Rollins. "We can't sustain the present and the world can't hang on for much longer."
He avoided political finger waving, and instead, focused on the idea of citizens keeping themselves and their leaders accountable for the decisions being made in their names.
"With Bush, you could tell he was just told to sign off on things," said Rollins, still critical of the 43rd president's time in the White House. "But Obama should know better. People need to be willing to ask, 'Mr. President, why are we going into Afghanistan?' when history shows us that never works. He's a Harvard graduate and we need to hold him accountable for his actions."
"People say 'Oh, I don't worry about it…' all the time," said Rollins. "Really? You should. I think it's important for not only this year of graduating seniors but for college grads in general to stay curious. By asking questions, maybe this is the generation that figures out that war is avoidable."
While he acknowledges that the current generation has a great many tasks facing it, Rollins continues to operate under the assumption that positive change will take hold if people want it badly enough. His words place responsibility as well as faith in the people he hopes to motivate.
All the while, Rollins remains conscious of his responsibility to speak to them, as well identifying the responsibilities that they must grow into.
"There's a lot of stuff going on right now," said Rollins. "But I'm not pessimistic about it, in fact I'm optimistic."
"Having an educated and privileged life affords you an escape from grueling labor," he continued. "People need to make good a promise to take advantage of that. They don't owe me anything, I'm nearly 50 years old and I've made my choices already, they owe it to themselves."
So whether it's his outspoken legacy or his receptive world view, Rollins has tailored his commencement speech at inspiring SSU graduates to take the skills they've crafted in college and effectively apply them to a world in need.
And while the road ahead seems like a treacherous path unpaved, Rollins hopes that his words will keep students and young folks enthusiastic about the lives set out before them, empowering them to take the reigns from an older generation and make choices on their own.
"Life really kicks in now for you guys," said Rollins. "Isn't that exciting?"
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