Acceptance Speeches

Not much seems to differ between award ceremonies, there is usually a platform or stage, a panel of judges, a prize and not forgetting a winner. More often than not, the winner gives an acceptance speech that recognises people who have supported or chosen them. In his acceptance speech earlier this week for his Nobel prize, Harold Pinter talked about his disgust at the US and UK's presence in Iraq. His speech was not littered with gushing thanks, instead he referred to himself as a citizen and a writer, both on a quest for truth. This speech questioned the current state of humanity, with a heartfelt recognition that we are in this together. Generally the winner acknowledges their peers, agents, family and friends, all providing very different relationships. However when we examine community and our relationship within, we can sometimes feel lost, yet there is a need in us to be a part of something outside ourselves. Imagine you have just received a call that you have been nominated for an award in your field. The feelings of pride, joy, recognition and privilege flood your being, then you pause and think about those who have inspired you, supported you and even those didn’t believe you come to mind. Here is your community, be it small, global, detached, or intense, you are a part of something outside yourself. How you choose to view community is down to you, but let's do it with conviction. With the words of Harold Pinter, As a citizen I must ask: What is true? What is false?