Dr. Watersā Words to Live By
Just moments after he was miraculously dubbed āDr. John Waters,ā the wonderfully irreverent filmmaker and cultural critic gave one of the most inspiring and spot-on RISD Commencement addresses in recent memory. Waters accepted an honorary degree from RISD ā his first degree of any sort from anywhere ā āwithout irony,ā as he put it.Ā
At the podium the maker of Pink Flamingos, Hairspray and many other over-the-top films appeared to be totally in his element as he told the crowd that heās surely qualified to be RISDās Commencement speaker, especially given a short list of non-accomplishments and misdemeanors ā and his early aspiration āto be one of the filthiest people alive.ā
āIāve been called āThe Prince of Pukeā by the press,ā Waters smiled, āand most recently, a title Iām proud of: āThe Peopleās Pervert.ā I am honored to be here today with my people.āĀ
In a bouncy speech (hear the full thing above) that kept the crowd of 3,500 graduates, families and guests laughing so hard that he had to pause from time to time to be heard, Waters pointed out that as unlikely as it might sound that RISD would offer him an honorary degree, āI didnāt change; society did.āĀ
Mostly he focused his attention on RISDās 667 graduates, urging them not to hoard their talents. āRemember, you must participate in the creative world you want to become part ofā¦. Keep up with whatās causing chaos in your own fieldā¦. Read, read, read. Spy, be nosy, eavesdrop!āĀ
Waters also reminded graduates that they shouldnāt hate all rich people, especially since someone needs to help fund their creative endeavors. āIām rich,ā he said, because āI have figured out how to never be around assholes at any time in my personal and professional life. Thatās rich.āĀ
While targeted at RISD students in particular, Watersā words seemed to resonate with the majority of the crowd packed into the RI Convention Center hall. āGo out into the world and fuck it up beautifully!ā he urged.Ā
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