Harvard Male Orator Jonathan Roberts | Harvard Commencement 2017

TL;DR

A speech given at Harvard University highlights the need to recognize privilege, take responsibility, and work towards a more equitable world.

Transcript

[Applause] also quick shout-out to my grandmother who is here with us she is 93 years old she's still moving and grooving oh my goodness I hope I get those jeans now before I begin I would like to recognize that we are on the land of the Wampanoag nation that this is sacred earth and that we have a responsibility to care for it and to treat it as s... Read More

Key Insights

• 🙈 Privilege can blind individuals to the struggles and pain of others.
• 🧑‍🏫 Education should go beyond academic knowledge to teach empathy and social responsibility.
• 👨‍⚖️ Personal success should not be prioritized over collective well-being and social justice.
• 💱 True change requires challenging and dismantling existing systems of privilege and inequality.
• ❓ Recognizing interconnections and fighting for collective empowerment is essential for progress.
• 🧑‍🏭 Transformational change requires individuals to act beyond themselves and consider others' possibilities.
• 🌗 Guilt is not enough; lasting commitment and action are necessary for meaningful change.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the speaker's experience at Harvard change their perspective on privilege and personal success?

The speaker's time at Harvard made them realize that their education did not teach them to understand their advantage or empathize with the hardships of others. They recognized the need for self-reflection and a shift in priorities.

Q: What lesson did the speaker learn from the dining hall workers' strike?

The speaker learned from the dining hall workers' sacrifice and fight for affordable healthcare. They understood that struggles are interconnected and that social justice issues, such as gender and racial equity, should be fought for collectively.

Q: Why does the speaker believe that current students are not ready to inherit the world?

The speaker believes that current students, despite their ambition and talent, are still too focused on personal success and maintaining their privileged position in society. They argue that change will not come from within this system but from challenging and dismantling it.

Q: What does the speaker hope for the future generation?

The speaker hopes for a future where individuals recognize the interconnectedness of struggles and work towards empowering marginalized individuals. They want future generations to prioritize collective well-being and strive for a more equitable world.

Summary

In this speech, the speaker reflects on their experience at Harvard and acknowledges the privilege they have. They discuss how education often fails to teach empathy and understanding for the plight of others, and how they themselves have been guilty of overlooking the struggles of those less fortunate. The speaker calls for a change in mindset and a commitment to action, emphasizing the importance of not simply accepting the status quo but actively working towards a more equal and inclusive society.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of the phrase "back in my day" that the speaker mentions?

The speaker mentions how growing up, their parents would often use the phrase "back in my day." This phrase was used to dismiss their complaints or concerns, and the speaker initially found it irritating. However, standing on stage at Harvard, the speaker realizes that their parents' struggles and sacrifices were an important part of their own journey. The phrase "back in my day" now represents the struggles and progress made by previous generations.

Q: How did the speaker's time at Harvard shift their perspective?

The speaker came to Harvard wanting to fulfill their parents' expectations and achieve personal success. However, this focus on personal achievements caused them to forget the lessons their parents had taught them about empathy and understanding. The competitive environment at Harvard led the speaker to prioritize personal failures and successes over the struggles of others. This realization prompted the speaker to reevaluate their approach and recognize the need for a broader perspective.

Q: How has education failed to teach empathy and understanding?

The speaker points out that their education at Harvard, and perhaps education in general, focused on academic achievements and personal success rather than empathy and understanding for the plight of others. In subjects like economics, poverty and inequality were treated as academic problems to be quantified, rather than deeply human issues. The speaker also mentions that they and their peers often walked past homeless individuals and ignored their pain, despite having learned about social inequality and oppression in their studies.

Q: What is the impact of privilege and circumstance on exclusivity?

The speaker suggests that privilege and circumstance condition individuals to see exclusivity as a natural consequence of their position rather than a crime. When individuals are benefiting from a system that favors them, they often fail to acknowledge the authenticity of others' pain and their own advantaged position in the world. This mindset prevents them from actively working towards a more equal society.

Q: How does the speaker view the potential impact of their generation?

The speaker acknowledges that their generation has the ambition, talent, and drive to succeed in various fields and become leaders and innovators. However, they also believe that true change will not come from their generation alone. Despite their jargon, political preferences, and desire to make a difference, they suggest that their generation is still too entrenched in the existing system and unwilling to sacrifice their position for the betterment of others.

Q: What role did dining hall workers play in teaching the speaker a lesson?

The speaker shares their experience with dining hall workers at Harvard who went on strike for three weeks, demanding affordable healthcare. The workers' dedication, sacrifice, and fight for equality opened the speaker's eyes to the interconnectedness of struggles. The dining hall workers fought not only for themselves but also for gender and racial equity, undocumented workers, and workers in other universities. They were successful in their fight, thereby inspiring the speaker to reflect on their own privilege and responsibility.

Q: How does the speaker address their own guilt and the potential for temporary commitment to change?

The speaker acknowledges the possibility of leaving Harvard with a sense of guilt but without a true commitment to lasting change. They argue against the notion that the world simply works in a certain way and that it is better to take care of our own rather than empower those who have been marginalized by society. They urge their fellow graduates to act beyond themselves and consider the possibilities of a more equitable future for all.

Q: What message does the speaker want to pass on to future generations?

The speaker desires to pass on a legacy of actively working for change to future generations. They hope that their children, or future generations, will live in a world that goes beyond their own dreams and aspirations. They want future generations to recognize the struggles and sacrifices made by previous generations and to continue advocating for equality and social justice.

Q: How does the speaker emphasize the need for action?

The speaker believes that individuals have been benefiting from a system built on the oppression and exploitation of others for far too long. They express the necessity of acting beyond personal convenience and challenging the status quo. The speaker believes that change will not come easily, but it is a commitment worth pursuing for a more just and inclusive society.

Q: What does the phrase "back in my day" ultimately mean to the speaker?

The phrase "back in my day," which once annoyed the speaker, now encapsulates the struggles and sacrifices of previous generations. It serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made and the responsibility the speaker feels to continue working for a better world.

Takeaways

The speaker's speech emphasizes the importance of recognizing privilege and using it as a platform for positive change. They challenge the graduating class to go beyond personal achievements and actively work towards a more equitable society. The speech serves as a reminder to not just accept the status quo but to question and challenge the existing systems of oppression and inequality.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker acknowledges the historical struggles of marginalized students and the significance of their presence at Harvard.

• They discuss the pressure to meet expectations and achieve personal success, which can make individuals lose sight of social injustices.

• The speaker emphasizes the need to challenge privilege, understanding its impact on others, and take action for change.