Soledad O'Brien Harvard Commencement Speech | Harvard University Commencement 2013

TL;DR

Success often requires ignoring those who doubt you and following your own path. Soledad O'Brien emphasizes the importance of not listening to naysayers, drawing from her parents' experiences as an interracial couple in the 1950s. Embrace your dreams, be brave, and contribute positively to society by using your voice and education to help others.

Transcript

[APPLAUSE] SPEAKER: Good afternoon, class of 2013. Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your celebrations today. Today you are surrounded by those who love you best and who are really responsible for getting you so far. Your parents, and your grandparents, and your siblings, and your friends. And it's because of them, it's because of the... Read More

Key Insights

• Success often requires ignoring naysayers and following your own path.
• Soledad O'Brien's parents faced racial discrimination but pursued their dreams regardless.
• Not taking advice from doubters allows you to follow your heart and passion.
• Breaking boundaries and understanding others is essential for personal growth.
• Use your education and voice to stand up for injustices and help others.
• Selflessness and service to others can lead to personal greatness.
• Conversations and understanding can bridge differences between people.
• Remove negativity from your life to protect your joy and potential.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can ignoring naysayers lead to success?

Ignoring naysayers allows individuals to follow their own path and pursue their passions without being hindered by doubt. By not listening to those who say something cannot be done, individuals can focus on their dreams and work towards achieving them. This approach can lead to personal and professional success, as it encourages innovation and perseverance.

Q: What challenges did Soledad O'Brien's parents face as an interracial couple?

Soledad O'Brien's parents faced significant racial discrimination as an interracial couple in the 1950s. They were turned away from restaurants and faced societal disapproval, yet they persevered in their relationship. Their resilience and determination to live their lives despite these challenges serve as an inspiring example of overcoming adversity and following one's dreams.

Q: Why is it important to use your voice to stand up for injustices?

Using your voice to stand up for injustices is crucial because it helps address and correct unfair situations. By speaking out, individuals can raise awareness, inspire change, and support those who may not have the power to defend themselves. This act of advocacy is essential for creating a more equitable and just society, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

Q: What role does selflessness play in achieving greatness?

Selflessness plays a significant role in achieving greatness because it involves prioritizing the needs and well-being of others. By serving others and contributing positively to society, individuals can create meaningful impacts and foster goodwill. This approach not only benefits the community but also enriches the individual's life, leading to a sense of fulfillment and personal growth.

Q: How can understanding and conversations bridge differences between people?

Understanding and conversations can bridge differences between people by fostering empathy and mutual respect. Engaging in open dialogue allows individuals to learn about diverse perspectives and experiences, which can break down barriers and misconceptions. This process of communication and understanding is essential for building inclusive communities and promoting harmony among diverse groups.

Q: Why is it important to remove negativity from your life?

Removing negativity from your life is important because it helps protect your mental and emotional well-being. Negative influences can drain energy, hinder personal growth, and prevent individuals from reaching their full potential. By surrounding oneself with positive and supportive people, individuals can cultivate a more fulfilling and joyful life, enabling them to pursue their goals with confidence.

Q: What message does Soledad O'Brien convey about pursuing dreams?

Soledad O'Brien's message about pursuing dreams is to be brave, follow your passions, and ignore those who doubt your abilities. She encourages individuals to break boundaries and not be limited by societal expectations. By focusing on one's dreams and using one's talents to contribute positively to society, individuals can achieve personal fulfillment and make a meaningful impact.

Q: How can education be used to help others?

Education can be used to help others by empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to address societal challenges. Educated individuals can advocate for change, support underserved communities, and create solutions to complex problems. By leveraging their education, individuals can make informed decisions and contribute to the betterment of society, promoting equity and justice for all.

Summary

This video is a speech delivered by a speaker at the Class Day celebrations for the class of 2013. The speaker reflects on the support and love of family and friends, and reassures parents that their children are not truly leaving them. The speaker shares personal anecdotes of their parents' immigrant background and interracial marriage, emphasizing the importance of not listening to negative advice and pursuing one's own dreams. They encourage the audience to lean in, use their voices, and make positive change in the world. The speaker concludes by highlighting the power of education and the obligation to use it to help others.

Questions & Answers

Q: What did the speaker say to reassure parents who were feeling sad about their children leaving home?

The speaker assured parents that their children are not truly leaving them, as they will be back home for various reasons such as doing laundry, seeing friends, and getting their belongings. The speaker humorously predicted that between now and age 40, the students would likely move back into their bedrooms multiple times.

Q: What was the best advice the speaker's mother ever gave them?

According to the speaker, the best advice their mother ever gave them was, "Most people are idiots." This advice was meant to remind the speaker not to listen to those who doubt or discourage them. The speaker's mother believed that many people spend their lives telling others what they cannot do, and it was important to ignore such negativity.

Q: How did the speaker's parents meet?

The speaker's parents met in 1958 because they both attended daily Mass. The speaker's mother would walk to Mass while the speaker's father had a car. Every day, the father would drive up next to the mother and offer her a ride. Although the mother initially turned him down, she eventually agreed to take a ride from him.

Q: How did people react when the speaker's parents, who were an interracial couple, went to restaurants together in Baltimore in 1958?

In 1958, every restaurant the speaker's parents visited in Baltimore turned them away because they were an interracial couple. While the speaker's father was allowed inside, the speaker's mother was denied entry. Instead of being discouraged, the mother took the father back to her apartment and prepared a delicious meal of Cuban food for him.

Q: What was the significance of the speaker's parents getting married in 1958?

The speaker's parents decided to get married in 1958, despite the fact that interracial marriage was illegal in their state of Maryland and 16 other states at the time. They drove to Washington DC, where interracial marriage was legal, and got married. They then returned to Baltimore and lived there illegally as a married couple.

Q: What lesson did the speaker learn from their parents' disregard for advice and opinions of others?

The speaker learned the lesson of not listening to other people's take on the life they should lead. Despite friends warning them against it, the speaker's parents decided to have children, believing that biracial kids would not fit into the world. The speaker emphasized that it is important to follow one's own dreams and not be swayed by others' expectations.

Q: What was the speaker's academic background at Harvard?

While at Harvard, the speaker initially studied English American literature and also had intentions of pursuing a pre-med track. However, they soon discovered that storytelling was their true passion and switched their focus to working at a local TV station. This decision eventually led them to a career in traveling the world and telling stories.

Q: What does "leaning in" mean, according to the speaker?

The speaker mentioned the concept of "leaning in," a phrase popularized by Sheryl Sandberg, which originally referred to women in business. However, the speaker expanded upon it and stated that "leaning in" means using one's voice, making necessary changes, and investing their heart and soul in ideas and people that others may not appreciate or see the value in.

Q: What did the speaker say about breaking through walls that exist between people?

The speaker encouraged the audience to break through the walls that they believe exist between themselves and others who may look or act differently. They emphasized the need to understand why people behave the way they do and to engage in conversations to bridge the distance and foster understanding.

Q: What did the speaker urge the audience to do with their education and privilege?

The speaker reminded the audience that they have received an exceptional education, and therefore, have an obligation to use the power they have been given to help others who may not have had the same opportunities. They urged the audience to use their voices in defense of those who cannot speak for themselves and to actively make positive changes in the world.

Takeaways

In this speech, the speaker emphasizes the value of not listening to negative advice and pursuing one's own dreams. They highlight the importance of using one's voice, making positive change, and bridging the distance between people. The speaker also underlines the obligation that comes with receiving a great education and encourages the audience to use their privilege to help others.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Soledad O'Brien's speech emphasizes the importance of ignoring doubters and following one's own path. Drawing from her parents' experiences as an interracial couple facing discrimination, she highlights the value of pursuing dreams and using one's voice to stand up for others. Success, she notes, comes from selflessness and contributing positively to society.

• In her commencement speech, O'Brien advises graduates to break boundaries, embrace their passions, and use their education to help others. She stresses that understanding and conversations can bridge differences, and encourages graduates to remove negativity from their lives to protect their joy and potential.

• O'Brien's message to graduates is clear: be brave, follow your dreams, and use your voice for good. By ignoring naysayers and standing up for injustices, individuals can achieve personal greatness and contribute meaningfully to society. Her speech is a call to action for graduates to embrace their futures with courage and purpose.