Rashida Jones: Class Day Speech | Harvard Commencement 2016 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In her Class Day speech, Rashida Jones encourages Harvard graduates to think for themselves, care about important issues, and choose love over fear.

Key Insights

• ❓ Harvard memories and friendships can last a lifetime.
• 🤔 Success in the real world requires thinking for oneself and breaking away from the system.
• 😨 Caring about important issues and being vocal is crucial in effecting change.
• 🥰 Choosing love over fear is a powerful mindset for personal growth and impact.
• 🧑‍🏭 Graduates should embrace challenges, stay curious, and act fearlessly.
• ❓ Complacency and indifference are enemies of progress and compassion.
• 🍉 Graduates have an obligation to create their own path and define success on their terms.

Transcript

ladies and gentlemen rashida Jones class of 1997 thank you hello and good afternoon before I start I'm being told that the billionaire who endowed a grey 2007 building at the corner of Kirkland and Quincy Street your building is in a loading zone so you're gonna need to move that building or it's gonna be toted thank you Harvard what's up graduates... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What was Rashida Jones' initial reaction when she was asked to be the Class Day speaker?

Jones was touched and thrilled when she received the call to be the Class Day speaker, as it was a dream come true for her.

Q: What significant milestone did Rashida Jones achieve by speaking at Harvard?

Jones became the only second-generation class day speaker at Harvard, as her father, Quincy Jones, was also a class day speaker in 1997.

Q: What advice does Rashida Jones give graduates about the real world and success?

Jones emphasizes that the real world doesn't always reward rule-followers like the educational world does, and success is not guaranteed. She encourages graduates to think for themselves and create their own path.

Q: How does Rashida Jones stress the importance of caring about important issues?

Jones acknowledges that it's easy to become indifferent in the information age, but she urges graduates to rise above the noise and be vocal about the problems they see in the world. She believes that everyone has a voice and can make a difference.

Summary

In this video, Rashida Jones delivers a speech as the class day speaker at Harvard University. She shares anecdotes from her time at Harvard, reflects on her career in Hollywood, and offers advice to the graduating class of 2016. Jones talks about the importance of not relying on the system, protecting one's instinct to care, and choosing love over fear. She encourages the graduates to question everything, stay curious, and become active participants in shaping the world.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Rashida Jones react when she was asked to be the class day speaker?

When Rashida Jones was asked to be the class day speaker, she was touched and thrilled. She felt a swell of pride, similar to the feeling when she was accepted to Harvard. She jokes that she was called in 2011 to forward the request to Amy Poehler, but this time she was genuinely excited and grateful for the opportunity.

Q: What memories does Rashida Jones have from her time at Harvard?

Rashida Jones reminisces about the memories she made at Harvard. She mentions taking power naps backstage, catching Z's in the library, and falling asleep near the Science Center. She also shares some non-sleep related memories, like pre-gaming for a dance at Elliott House and hooking up with someone in Kirkland and Dunster entries.

Q: How does Rashida Jones engage with the audience during her speech?

Rashida Jones engages with the audience by testing if she can mention any Harvard house and receive applause. She playfully mentions Adams House and remarks that it is the fifth-best house, while also humorously criticizing Winthrop Manor House. This interaction with the audience adds a lighthearted and entertaining element to her speech.

Q: What advice does Rashida Jones give to the graduating class?

Rashida Jones offers three key pieces of advice to the graduating class. First, she advises them not to count on the system and emphasizes the importance of thinking for themselves. Second, she urges them to protect their instinct to care, highlighting the importance of being vocal about issues that matter to them. Third, she encourages them to choose love over fear, reminding them to follow their hearts and take risks in pursuing what they truly love.

Q: How does Rashida Jones reflect on her own career in Hollywood?

Rashida Jones reflects on her career in Hollywood and shares how she realized that she couldn't rely on the system to give her opportunities. She talks about the challenges she faced in getting her movie script produced and how she had to find another way outside of the traditional system. She emphasizes the importance of not just following the rules and being open to taking unconventional paths to achieve success.

Q: How does Rashida Jones address the societal and political issues of the world?

Rashida Jones speaks about the importance of caring and being vocal about societal and political issues. She mentions issues such as the refugee crisis, racial injustice, and women's rights. She acknowledges that being vocal about these issues can often invite criticism but urges the graduates to stay committed and continue fighting for what they believe in.

Q: What does Rashida Jones say about the responsibility of the graduates?

Rashida Jones believes that as college-educated individuals, the graduates have a responsibility to be loud and make themselves heard. She urges them to rise above fear, bigotry, and misinformation and to actively address the problems they see in the world. She encourages them to be active participants in shaping a better future.

Q: How does Rashida Jones encourage the graduates to make decisions in life?

Rashida Jones advises the graduates to make decisions based on love rather than fear. She advises them to listen to their true hearts when faced with important decisions and to choose the path that excites and scares them. She reminds them that they are the ones who can create the life they truly want.

Q: What is the final advice that Rashida Jones gives to the graduates?

Rashida Jones ends her speech by challenging the graduates to stay optimistic and take action. She urges them to question everything, stay curious, and remain fearless. She emphasizes the importance of being an active and vocal participant in shaping the world. She encourages them to pull down the metaphorical lever, reminding them of the power they have to make a difference.

Q: How does Rashida Jones highlight the significance of the graduates' achievements?

Rashida Jones acknowledges the significance of the graduates' achievements by mentioning the sacrifices made by previous generations for them to have the opportunities they have. She reminds them that their Harvard education and graduation are an accomplishment that not everyone has, and that they should be proud of their success. She also mentions that now is the time for them to take advantage of the head start they have been given.

Takeaways

Rashida Jones' speech at Harvard University carries a powerful message for the graduating class. She encourages the students to question the system, protect their instinct to care, and choose love over fear. She emphasizes the importance of not relying solely on external validation and the need to create their own paths. Jones reminds the graduates of their responsibility to be vocal, compassionate, and active participants in shaping the world. Her speech serves as a reminder that success goes beyond achievements and that the graduates have the power to make a positive impact.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Rashida Jones reflects on her own experiences and memories at Harvard, highlighting the importance of friendships made during college.

• She humorously shares anecdotes about her time at Harvard, including her late arrival to commencement and her involvement in a play with her now-famous colleague, Michael Schur.

• Jones advises graduates to think for themselves, resist complacency, and face the challenges of the world with compassion and love.