Congressman John Lewis Address | Harvard Commencement 2018 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Civil rights icon John Lewis delivers a powerful speech at Harvard, urging graduates to embrace leadership, speak up, and strive for a more inclusive society.

Key Insights

• 🎓 John Lewis commends President Bacow for promoting inclusivity at Harvard and encourages the university community to continue striving for a more all-inclusive institution.
• 🤕 True leadership is not confined by age, and everyone has the responsibility to lead and contribute to making a positive change in society.
• 🥹 The power of nonviolence and reconciliation holds the potential to heal wounds and create a more harmonious and united society.
• 😒 Lewis calls for the preservation of democracy, urging people to use their most powerful tool—voting—to prevent its erosion.
• 💦 The importance of hard work and taking action is emphasized, with Lewis reminding listeners to be proactive and not mere bystanders.
• 👩‍🎓 Women and young people, including high school and college students, are seen as instrumental in leading a nonviolent revolution towards a better America.
• 🪡 Lewis shares personal experiences from the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the progress made and emphasizing the need for continued activism.

Transcript

THANK YOU SO MUCH. FOR THOSE KIND WORDS OF INTRODUCTION. I MUST TELL YOU THAT I'M DELIGHTED, VERY PLEASED AND REALLY HAPPY TO BE HEAR YOU LOOK GOOD! [LAUGHTER] THE WEATHER IS GOOD, RAIN STAYED AWAY. I'M HAPPY. IT'S GOOD TO SEE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. FELLOWS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF OVERSEERS, MEMBERS OF THE ALUMNI BOARD... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How does John Lewis emphasize the importance of leadership in his speech?

John Lewis encourages graduates, regardless of age, to take on leadership roles and stresses that everyone has an important role to play in saving the country and democracy.

Q: What role does Lewis attribute to women and young people in creating a better America?

Lewis believes that women and young people, including high school and college students, will lead a nonviolent revolution and create a more humane society.

Q: Can you provide an example of reconciliation that John Lewis shares in his speech?

John Lewis recounts a powerful personal story where a man who had beaten him during the Civil Rights Movement comes to his office years later seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, which Lewis graciously accepts.

Q: What message does Lewis aim to convey through his personal story about his aunt during a storm?

John Lewis uses the story of his aunt holding down an old house during a fierce storm to inspire graduates to stand strong and united in the face of adversity, using the power of history as their guide.

Summary

In this inspiring speech, the speaker expresses gratitude and admiration for the leadership of the President of Harvard University. He highlights the importance of unity, diversity, and inclusive thinking. The speaker urges the graduates to take on leadership roles and emphasizes the need to save the country, democracy, and the planet. He shares personal stories of his involvement in the civil rights movement and the power of nonviolence. The speaker encourages the graduates to work hard, be hopeful, and turn the ship around for a better future.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does the speaker emphasize about leadership in his speech?

The speaker emphasizes that everyone, regardless of age, has the capacity to lead and make a difference. He encourages the graduates to step up and use their talents to lead the world to a better place.

Q: How does the speaker perceive the current state of America?

According to the speaker, there are forces in America and around the world that are trying to lead the country astray. He believes that it is essential to save the country and democracy, and urges the graduates to play a role in rescuing America.

Q: Why does the speaker highlight the importance of voting?

The speaker considers the right to vote as precious and almost sacred. He believes that the vote is the most powerful tool in a democratic society and that it must be utilized. If people fail to exercise their right to vote, they risk losing it.

Q: What message does the speaker want to convey to the graduates regarding the environment?

The speaker urges the graduates to save the planet and leave it cleaner, greener, and more peaceful for future generations. He emphasizes the responsibility each individual has to contribute to a sustainable and peaceful world.

Q: How does the speaker emphasize the significance of youth and women in leadership?

The speaker believes that young people and women will play a vital role in leading the nonviolent revolution towards a more humane America. He encourages the graduates to be a "headlight, not a taillight," highlighting their potential to lead the way.

Q: Why does the speaker share his personal experiences from the civil rights movement?

By sharing his personal experiences, the speaker aims to inspire the graduates and emphasize the power of nonviolence and standing up against injustice. He illustrates the progress made in the past and motivates the graduates to continue the fight for equality.

Q: What is the significance of the story the speaker tells about his aunt and the storm?

Through the story, the speaker conveys the message that no matter how challenging the external circumstances may be, it is important to stay strong, hold on, and persevere. The story serves as a metaphor for staying grounded and committed to one's values and principles.

Q: How does the speaker encourage the graduates to make a difference?

The speaker urges the graduates to take action when they witness injustice or unfairness. He emphasizes the importance of speaking up, speaking out, and standing up for what is right. He believes that individual actions can lead to positive change.

Q: What does the speaker suggest is the key to creating a reconciled society?

The speaker believes that hate is a burden that should be laid down and replaced with love and reconciliation. He emphasizes the power of peace, forgiveness, and nonviolence in building a more inclusive and harmonious society.

Q: What final message does the speaker deliver to the graduates?

The speaker urges the graduates to embrace their training and education and use it to lead and make a difference. He encourages them to walk with the wind of history, stay hopeful, and hold their collective "house" down to ensure a better future.

Takeaways

The speech highlights the importance of leadership, unity, and perseverance. The speaker's personal experiences during the civil rights movement serve as a reminder of the power of nonviolence and the progress that can be achieved through collective action. The graduates are encouraged to use their talents to save the country, democracy, and the planet. The speaker emphasizes the role of youth and women in leading a nonviolent revolution and urges the graduates to take on leadership roles with determination and hope. Ultimately, the message is to stay true to one's values, speak up for justice, and work towards a more inclusive and peaceful society.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• John Lewis expresses gratitude to the Harvard community and praises President Bacow for advancing inclusivity at the university.

• He emphasizes the importance of leadership and urges graduates, regardless of age, to step up and save the country and democracy.

• Lewis shares personal stories from the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the power of nonviolence and reconciliation.