Loves (usually) wins out, but sometimes it takes a while. James B. Stewart (DePauw ’73) illustrates this powerfully in the video below of yesterday’s DePauw University commencement address.
(The relevant portion begins at 8:30. I recommend watching the entire speech.)
Jim graduated from DePauw in 1973, and was not out to his parents. In between then and yesterday’s speech, he became a lawyer, switched to journalism, won a Pulitzer Prize, edited Page One of the Wall Street Journal, wrote eleven best-selling books, was a founding editor of Smart Money magazine, and now writes for the New York Times.
He met a man, fell in love, and finally came out to his dad.
Who then firmly told Jim his partner would never be welcome in the home. Who didn’t come to the commitment ceremony.
But Jim decided to keep loving his father, unconditionally. On his deathbed, his dad . . . well, watch the speech to find out what can happen when you just keep loving.
Eric Edberg 