Chimamanda adichie speaks at harvard class day
What a wonderful event! Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the renowned Nigerian author and feminist, delivered the Commencement Address at Harvard University's Class Day ceremony on May 25, 2017.
In her powerful and thought-provoking speech, Adichie spoke to the graduating class of 2017 about the importance of empathy, identity, and the power of storytelling. She emphasized the need for individuals to understand and appreciate the complexities of others' experiences, saying:
"The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story."
Adichie also spoke about the significance of identity and how it shapes our experiences and perspectives. She encouraged the graduates to embrace their individuality and not be afraid to be different, saying:
"You are not just your identity, you are not just your gender, you are not just your race, you are not just your class. You are a multitude of things, and it is the complexity of those things that makes you who you are."
Throughout her speech, Adichie wove together personal anecdotes, literary references, and philosophical insights to convey her message. She also shared her own experiences as a Nigerian woman, highlighting the challenges she faced and the importance of perseverance and resilience.
The speech was met with a standing ovation from the audience, and it has since been widely shared and celebrated online. It's a testament to Adichie's remarkable talent as a writer and speaker, as well as her commitment to promoting empathy, understanding, and social justice.
Here are some key quotes from her speech:
- "The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete."
- "You are not just your identity, you are not just your gender, you are not just your race, you are not just your class. You are a multitude of things, and it is the complexity of those things that makes you who you are."
- "The future depends on the number of people who can see beauty in the world, and let it be reflected in their work."
- "I hope that you will be able to see the world in all its complexity, and to be able to tell the story of that complexity."
You can watch the full speech on YouTube or read the transcript on Harvard University's website.