Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie addresses Harvard's Class of 2018
Harvard University・16 minutes read
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie encourages Harvard graduates to prioritize truth and integrity in their lives, embrace literature and storytelling, and challenge cultural norms to effect positive change in the world. She emphasizes the importance of courage in pursuing honesty, warns about the assumptions of privilege, and reminds students that failure is a natural part of growth and persistence is key in finding their true calling.
Insights
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie stresses the importance of honesty and integrity in communication and interactions, advocating for truth even in the face of potential failure. She underscores the value of authenticity and the impact it can have on shaping one's character and relationships.
- Adichie urges Harvard graduates to leverage their privilege and education to challenge societal norms, embrace diverse perspectives, and advocate for positive change. She highlights the responsibility that comes with their Harvard degree to use their voices for the betterment of society, emphasizing the power of storytelling and activism in creating a more inclusive and empathetic world.
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Recent questions
How does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie emphasize the importance of truth?
Adichie stresses the significance of truth in her speech, urging the audience to prioritize honesty in their lives, even if it doesn't always lead to success. She shares personal anecdotes about the value of integrity and honesty, highlighting the impact of being truthful in all interactions. Adichie encourages the graduates to be courageous in their pursuit of truth, acknowledging the challenges that come with honesty but emphasizing its importance in shaping understanding and empathy.
What advice does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie give to Harvard graduates?
Adichie advises the graduates to embrace literature and storytelling, emphasizing the power of human narratives in shaping understanding and empathy. She commends the class for their past activism and urges them to continue speaking truth to power, even when faced with greater consequences outside of Harvard. Adichie warns the students about the assumptions and privileges that come with a Harvard degree, urging them to use their power to effect positive change in the world and challenge cultural norms and institutions.
How does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie view failure in her speech?
Adichie views failure as a natural part of growth and encourages the graduates to persist in pursuing their passions and finding their true calling. She emphasizes that success doesn't always follow a traditional path and that waking up each day presents new opportunities to make a difference and contribute positively to the world. Adichie's perspective on failure aligns with the idea that setbacks are stepping stones to success and should be embraced as part of the journey towards personal and professional fulfillment.
What does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie caution Harvard graduates about?
Adichie cautions the graduates about the assumptions and privileges that come with a Harvard degree, urging them to be aware of their power and use it to effect positive change in the world. She emphasizes the importance of challenging cultural norms and institutions, advocating for new perspectives and diverse voices in media and storytelling. Adichie's caution serves as a reminder to the graduates that with privilege comes responsibility, and they should strive to make a meaningful impact beyond the confines of their academic achievements.
How does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie address the fear of failure in her speech?
Adichie links procrastination to fear in her speech, highlighting the importance of self-doubt and self-belief in creating value. She acknowledges the fear of measuring up, especially in a competitive environment like Harvard, but emphasizes that success doesn't always follow a traditional path. Adichie encourages the graduates to embrace the challenges that come with pursuing their passions and to approach each day as an opportunity to make a positive difference in the world.
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Summary
00:00
Adichie's Harvard speech: Truth, integrity, and courage.
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie expresses gratitude for being chosen as the Class Day speaker for Harvard's 2018 graduating class.
- She shares her experience of struggling with the pronunciation of her name, highlighting the importance of intent and context in communication.
- Adichie emphasizes the significance of truth, urging the audience to prioritize honesty in their lives, even if it doesn't always lead to success.
- The author recounts a personal anecdote about lying at a writer's conference, underscoring the value of integrity and honesty in all interactions.
- Adichie encourages the graduates to embrace literature and storytelling, emphasizing the power of human narratives in shaping understanding and empathy.
- She commends the class for their past activism and urges them to continue speaking truth to power, even when faced with greater consequences outside of Harvard.
- The author advises the graduates to be courageous in their pursuit of truth, acknowledging the complexities and challenges that come with honesty.
- Adichie warns the students about the assumptions and privileges that come with a Harvard degree, urging them to use their power to effect positive change in the world.
- She emphasizes the importance of challenging cultural norms and institutions, advocating for new perspectives and diverse voices in media and storytelling.
- The author concludes by reminding the graduates that failure is a natural part of growth and encourages them to persist in pursuing their passions and finding their true calling.
23:05
Fear and self-belief in overcoming procrastination
- Procrastination is linked to fear, with self-doubt and self-belief being essential for creating value; the balance between the two is crucial. The fear of measuring up, especially in a competitive environment like Harvard, can be overwhelming, but it's important to remember that success doesn't always follow a traditional path, and waking up each day presents new opportunities to make a difference and contribute positively to the world.
