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.
The air was so sweet and fresh， and oddly luxurious.
這裡的空氣是如此地清新甜美，顯得格外地奢侈。
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.
我被這一切所震驚了。我在中國的都市裡長大，每次出門前我都必須要戴口罩，不然的話，我就可能會生病。
However， the moment I inhaled and exhaled outside the airport.
所以，當我在機場外面呼吸到第一口空氣的時候，
I felt free.
我感到了自由。
No more fog on my glasses， no more difficult breathing， no more suppression.Every breath was a delight.
不再有蒙在眼鏡上的濃霧，不再有呼吸困難，不再有壓抑的生活。每一次呼吸都是一種愉悅的體驗。
As I stand here today， I cannot help， but recall that feeling of freedom.
時至今日我站在這裡，我仍然情不自禁地回憶起那種自由的感覺。
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，我還感到了另一種意義上的自由，一種我會永遠感激涕零的自由——言論自由。
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.
Twilight is a play by Anna Deavere Smith about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots
這是Anna Deavere Smith撰寫的關於1992年洛杉磯暴亂的一部劇。
The riots followed acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers in the videotaped arrest and beating of Rodney King.
那次暴動的導火線為當地陪審團宣判四名被控“使用過當武力”毆打Rodney King的警察無罪釋放。
For six days， the city was in chaos as citizens took to the streets.
6天內，人們走上街頭抗議，城市陷入混亂。
In Twilight， the student actors were openly talking about racism， sexism and politics.
在這部劇里，學生演員公開地討論種族歧視，性別歧視和政治話題。
I was shocked， I never saw such topic could be discussed openly.
我很驚訝，我從來不曾想過這樣的話題可以被公開討論。
The play was my first taste of political storytelling， one that makes the audience think critically.
這部劇是我第一次接觸和政治有關的戲劇內容，它讓觀眾辯證地思考。
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.
一直以來，我都很渴望去講述這樣的故事，不過我曾相信只有權威的人才有資格講述，只有政府才能界定事實。
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.
我很快意識到了在這裡我有自由發聲的機會。
My voice matters.
Your voice matters.
Our voices matter.
我的聲音很重要。
你的聲音很重要。
我們的聲音都很重要。
Civil engagement is not a task just for politicians.
公民參與不僅僅是政治家的任務。
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.
我親眼目睹了我的同學們參與在華盛頓特區的遊行，參與總統投票，為了各種各樣的原因募集資金。
I have seen that everyone has a right to participate and advocate for change.
我見證了每個人都有參與、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.
我曾以為一個人的能力也許不能做成什麼，但是我們在這片土地上，美國。
Together， we can push our society to be more just open and peaceful.
在一起，我們能推進我們的社會，讓它變得更開明和平和。
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，我們從一所擁抱人文教育、重視思辨能力、關注人道的大學畢業了。
We are equipped with the knowledge of various disciplines and we are ready to face to the challenges of our society.
我們具備了不同學科的知識，並準備好面對社會的挑戰。
Some of us may go to graduate school， some us may step into professions and some of us may begin a journey of exploration.
楊舒平在馬里蘭大學的演講視頻截圖
楊舒平自拍