SMU’s Class of 2012 passes through Dallas Hall prior to Opening Convocation, participating in one of SMU’s traditions. The students will walk through Dallas Hall again when they graduate. (Lindsey Perkins)
What if Thomas Jefferson’s original Declaration of Indepence had been signed? What would have occurred if European settlers had treated the Native Americans differently? What if the Mexican and other Central American governments had made more enlightened choices?
Jefferson’s original document contained a paragraph that banned slavery. The arrival of European explorers and settlers created war and conquest. Poverty and the chance for the American dream have led to illegal immigration.
Cordelia Chávez Candelaria, dean of Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, believes that the answers to the “What Ifs” can help answer the question of “What Now?”
“History is not an inevitable past,” Candelaria said. “It is a legacy that results from bad choices that were made. We must face facts of history in order to look forward and answer “now what?”
Candelaria spoke to SMU students, faculty and staff about choices and their consequences during the 94th Opening Convocation ceremony on Sunday.
Before taking the role as new dean of Dedman College in July, Candelaria taught at Arizona State University in Temple in both the English and of Transborder Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies Departments. She earned a B.A. degree with honors in English and French from Fort Lewis College, a Master’s degree in English from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in American literature and linguistics from Notre Dame.
Candelaria notes that slavery wouldn’t have happened if the founding fathers had signed Jefferson’s original document, saying that instead of racism, it would be tolerance that defined all of our history. Also, a peaceful coexistance between European settlers and Native Americans would have led to tolerance, peace and a better environment, according to Candelaria.
To answer “What Now?”, Candelaria urged the audience to apply their answers from “What If” and become active in citizenship.
“Make smart choices,” Candelaria said. “Or make more smart choices than foolish ones.”
