Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Address | Harvard Commencement 2015 | Summary and Q&A
TL;DR
Graduates are urged to be uneasy and think beyond themselves, with a focus on solving big challenges such as poverty, racism, and climate change.
Key Insights
- ๐ Graduates are praised for their achievements and encouraged to continue learning and expanding their horizons.
- ๐ Student protests and social movements are seen as positive signs of engagement and a desire for change.
- ๐ฑ The importance of addressing societal issues such as poverty, racism, and climate change is emphasized.
Transcript
thank you to president torus and dire directors of the Harvard Alumni Association thank you very much for that generous introduction I hope to become the man you describe to president fa fellows of Harvard College and members of the board of overseers to provos Garber and members of the faculty and staff to the members of the reunion classes and al... Read More
Questions & Answers
Q: What is the speaker's background and connection to Harvard?
The speaker grew up on the south side of Chicago and was the first in their family to attend college. They informally addressed the graduates as an honored guest.
Q: What is the speaker's message to the graduates?
The speaker urges the graduates to be uneasy and continue learning, emphasizing the importance of thinking beyond themselves and addressing societal challenges.
Q: What examples of societal issues are mentioned by the speaker?
The speaker mentions student protests, income inequality, police brutality, poverty, racism, and climate change as examples of challenges that need to be addressed.
Q: What is the significance of the speaker's emphasis on being uneasy?
The speaker believes that being uneasy and questioning the status quo is necessary for finding solutions to society's problems and creating positive change.
Summary & Key Takeaways
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The speaker, an honored guest at Harvard, acknowledges the achievements and talents of the graduates but encourages them to stay humble and continue learning.
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The importance of being uneasy and seeking solutions to societal issues is emphasized, with examples including student protests, income inequality, and police brutality.
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The speaker highlights the need for big ideas and actions to address poverty, racism, and climate change, and urges the graduates to seize opportunities and make a difference.