楊舒平畢業演說全文（中英對照）

I am truly honored and grateful to speak at the commencement for the University of Maryland, Class of 2017.
能在馬里蘭大學2017屆畢業典禮上演講，我感到非常榮幸、也非常感激。

People often ask me: Why did you come to the University of Maryland? I always answer: Fresh air.

人們經常問我：你為什麼來馬里蘭大學？我總是回答：新鮮的空氣。

Five years ago, as I step off the plane from China, and left the terminal at Dallas Airport. I was ready to put on one of my five face masks, but when I took my first breath of American air. I put my mask away.
五年前，我搭飛機從中國來的時候，我準備了5個口罩。從飛機上下來，離開達拉斯機場航空站時，我正準備戴上其中一個，不過當我吸了在美國的第一口空氣，我將口罩收了起來。

The air was so sweet and fresh, and oddly luxurious. I was surprised by this. I grew up in a city in China, where I had to wear a 　face mask every time I went outside, otherwise, I might get sick. However, the moment I inhaled and exhaled outside the airport. I felt free.
這裡的空氣是那麼的清新甜美，顯得格外的奢侈。我深感意外。我在中國的一個城市長大，我在那裡出門一定得戴口罩，否則我就會生病。然而，當我呼吸到機場空氣的那一刻，我感受到了自由。

No more fog on my glasses, no more difficult breathing, no more suppression. Every breath was a delight. As I stand here today, I cannot help, but recall that feeling of freedom.
我的眼鏡上不再有霧霾，呼吸不再困難，也沒有了壓抑，每一口呼吸都是愉悅的。今天我站在這裡，仍然忍不住回想起那種自由的感覺。

At the University of Maryland, I assume feel another kind of fresh air for which I will be forever grateful — the fresh air of free speech.
在馬里蘭大學，另一種清新的空氣也令我感懷不已——言論自由的空氣。

Before I came to United States, I learned in history class about the Declaration of Independence, but these words had no meaning to me— Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness. I was merely memorizing the words to get good grades. These words sounded so strange, so abstract and so foreign to me, until I came to University of Maryland.　I have leaned the right to freely express oneself is sacred in American.
來美國之前，我在歷史課上學到了獨立宣言，但「生命、自由和追尋幸福」這些詞句對我而言毫無意義。我只是把這些詞背下來，好在考試中拿到好成績。這些詞句顯得那麼古怪、那麼抽象、那麼陌生，直到我來到馬里蘭大學。我終於明白，言論自由在美國是多麼神聖。

Each day in Maryland, I was encouraged to express my opinions on controversial issues. I could challenge a statement made by my instructor. I could even rate my professors online. But nothing prepared me for the culture shock I experienced when I watched a university production of the play— Twilight: Los Angeles.
在馬里蘭的每一天，我都被鼓勵在爭議問題上表達自己的觀點。我可以質疑自己導師的觀點。我甚至可以在網上給我的教授們打分。但最讓我震驚的是，當我看到話劇《暮光：洛杉磯》帶來的文化衝擊。

Twilight is a play by Anna Deavere Smith about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.　The riots followed acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers in the videotaped arrest and beating of Rodney King. For six days, the city was in chaos as citizens took to the streets.
《暮光》是Anna Deavere Smith導演的一個關於1992年洛杉磯暴動的話劇。四名洛杉磯警察被拍下毆打並逮捕Rodney King，卻被宣判無罪。暴動隨後開始了。在六天的時間裡，人們走上街頭，城市一片混亂。

In Twilight, the student actors were openly talking about racism, sexism and politics.　The play was my first taste of political storytelling, one that makes the audience think critically.
在這部劇裡，學生演員們公開談論種族主義、性別歧視以及政治問題。我震驚了，我從來沒見過這樣的話題可以公開討論。那個話劇是我第一次接觸到政治敘事，一個可以讓觀眾批判性思考的政治敘事。

I have always had a burning desire to tell these kinds of stories, but I was convinced that only authorities on the narrative, only authorities could define the truth.
我一直非常想說這類故事，但我曾深信只有政府部門才能談，只有政府部門才能界定真相。

However, the opportunity to immerse myself in the diverse community at the University of Maryland exposed me to various, many different perspectives on truth.　I soon realized that here I have the opportunity to speak freely.
然而，在馬里蘭大學融入到不同社群的機會，讓我從許多不同的角度談論真實。很快地，我意識到在這裡我有機會可以自由地說。

My voice matters. Your voice matters. Our voices matter.
我的聲音很重要，你的聲音也很重要，我們所有人的聲音都很重要。

Civil engagement is not a task just for politicians. I have witnessed this when I saw my fellow students marching in Washington DC, voting in the presidential election and raising money for support various causes.　I have seen that everyone has a right to participate and advocate for change.
公民參與不僅僅是政治家的事。我的同學們走上華盛頓街頭，在總統選舉中投票，為多種不同的事業募集資金。我見證了每一個人都有參與、推進改革的權利。。

I used to believe that one individual participation could not make a difference, but here we are, United Terps.
我過去以為一個人的力量杯水車薪。但是我們團結在這裡。我們團結在一起，就能推動社會變得更加開放和平。

Class of 2017, we are graduating from a university that embraces a liberal arts education that nurtures us to think critically, and also to care and feel for humanity.
2017屆的同學們，我們正從一個通過人文教育鼓勵我們批判性思考、又不忘感受人性的大學畢業。我們擁有不同學科的知識，我們做好準備去面對社會的挑戰了。

Some of us may go to graduate school, some us may step into professions and some of us may begin a journey of exploration. Democracy and freedom are the fresh air that is worth fighting for. Freedom is oxygen. Freedom is passion. Freedom is love.
我們中的有些人可能會繼續讀研究所，有的人可能參與工作，有的人可能開始一段探索的旅程。但不管我們做什麼，請記住，民主和自由言論得之不易。民主和自由是值得我們為其奮鬥的清新空氣。自由是氧氣、自由是激情、自由是愛。

And as a French philosopher Jean Paul Sartre once said: freedom is a choice, our future is dependent on the choices we make today and tomorrow.
正如法國哲學家沙特所說的，自由是一種選擇，我們的未來取決於我們今天和明天所做的決定。我們是人生下個章節的作者。讓我們一起，來書寫人類歷史。

My friends, enjoy the fresh air and never let it go. Thank you.
我的朋友們，享受這清新的空氣吧，不要讓它消失。謝謝大家。