SHRUTHI KUMAR: Student
Address pressing civil rights issues and the importance of embracing uncertainty. SHRUTHI KUMAR
today we bring you an inspiring commencement speech by shui Kumar a Harvard graduate known for her passionate views on civil rights and the power of not knowing at Harvard's 2024 commencement shui shares her journey from the Great Plains of Nebraska to the esteemed University highlighting the importance of empathy humility and ethical engagement her off-script remarks on civil rights and solidarity resonated deeply with the audience earning her a standing Ovation today we are celebrated for what we know in fact for most of our Lives we've learned to feel a sense of accomplishment in the awards accolades and Honors that line our childhood homes how much we know and how we leveraged it got us far it got us here but today I want to convince you of something counterintuitive that I've learned from the class of 20124 the power of not knowing I grew up in the Great Plains of Nebraska alongside cattle ranches and corn fields as the eldest daughter of South Asian immigrants I I was the first in my family to attend college here in the [Music] US there was a lot I didn't know when it came time I asked my parents how to apply to colleges and they too said I don't know the words I don't know used to make me feel powerless like there was no answer and therefore no way as if I was admitting defeat from Nebraska to Harvard I found myself redefining this feeling of not knowing I discovered a newfound power in how much I didn't know I didn't know a field called The History of Science even existed and I now find myself a graduate of the Department here for the first time in my life I had a professor of color a historian of science who taught me history is just as much about the stories we don't know as the stories we do in the history of science we often look for what is missing what documents are not in the archives and whose voices are not captured in history I've learned silence is rarely empty often loud I've learned this not only in the classroom but also from the class of 2024 in reflecting on our Collective moments at Harvard I've realized it's the moments of uncertainty from which something greater than we could have ever imagined grows and our class is experienced more than our fair share of the unknown in our first year during covid we didn't have anenberg to meet a hundred people in an hour and walk out remembering five names what did we do Hees became the new annenburg and we learned to connect differently building quality over quanity in our friendships in our sophomore year roie Wade was over ered and there was and still is in many parts of the country an omnipresent uncertainty in accessing reproductive [Applause] [Music] Healthcare in our junior year Harvard faced the Supreme Court and the decision to reverse affirmative action whether we realize it or not we've been swimming in uncharted waters which brings me to our senior year a year on campus marked by enormous uncertainty in the fall my name and identity alongside other black and brown students at Harvard was publicly targeted [Music] [Applause] for many of us students of color doxing left our jobs uncertain our safety uncertain this semester our freedom of speech and our expressions of solidarity became [Applause] punishable leaving our graduation patience [Music] [Applause] uncertain as I stand before you today I must take a moment to recognize my peers the 13 undergraduates [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] the 13 the 13 undergraduates in the class of 2024 who will will not graduate [Music] today I am deeply disappointed by the intolerance for freedom of speech and the right to Civil Disobedience on [Applause] campus over 1,500 students had petitioned nearly 500 stud staff and faculty had spoken up all overwhelmingly against the unprecedented sanctions as an American and as a Harvard graduate for me what is happening on campus is about Liberty this is about civil rights and upholding Democratic principles [Applause] the students had spoken the faculty had [Applause] spoken Harvard do you hear us [Applause] Harvard do you hear us [Applause] [Music] [Applause] we are in a moment of int intense Division and disagreement in our community over the events in Gaza I see pain anxiety and unrest across campus but it's now in a moment like this that the power of not knowing becomes critical maybe we don't know what it's like to be ethnically targeted maybe we don't know what it's like to come face to face with violence and death but we don't have to know solidarity is not dependent on what we know because not knowing is an ethical stance [Applause] it creates space for empathy humility and a willingness to learn I choose to say I don't know so I'm empowered to ask to listen I believe an important type of learning takes place especially in moments of uncertainty when we lean into conversations without assuming we have all the [Applause] answers can we see the humanity in people we don't know can we feel the pain of people with whom we disagree as we graduate what we know our material knowledge may not matter so much anymore the truth is it's what we don't know and how we navigate it that will set us apart moving forward uncertainty is uncomfortable but I encourage you to dive into the deep end of of discomfort engage with the [Applause] nuances and bring with you a beginner's mind an ethic of not knowing Emily Dickinson had said not knowing when the dawn will come um I open every door thank you and [Applause] congratulations visit our site englishspeech channel.com for exclusive access to video transcripts offline audio English lessons and private classes don't forget to explore our free and new ebooks also subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter for the latest updates links in the description below thanks for your support .
Introduction and Background: Shruthi Kumar, a Harvard graduate, reflects on her journey from Nebraska to Harvard and her experiences with civil rights and the power of not knowing.
Power of Not Knowing: Kumar emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty and how it has been a source of strength and growth for her.
Early Challenges: Growing up as the eldest daughter of South Asian immigrants, Kumar initially felt powerless when faced with uncertainty about college applications.
Academic Discovery: At Harvard, Kumar discovered new fields of study, such as the History of Science, and learned that history is often about uncovering missing narratives.
Class of 2024’s Experience: Kumar recounts how her class faced various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in reproductive healthcare, and controversial Supreme Court decisions.
Targeted Attacks: In her senior year, Kumar’s identity and those of other students of color were targeted, leading to safety concerns and restrictions on free speech.
Student Protest: Kumar expresses disappointment over the intolerance for freedom of speech and the right to civil disobedience on campus, citing the 13 undergraduates who will not graduate.
Call for Empathy: Despite the intense divisions on campus, Kumar argues that not knowing can foster empathy, humility, and a willingness to learn.
Ethical Stance: She proposes that not knowing is an ethical stance that allows for better understanding and engagement with others’ experiences and pain.
Encouragement to Embrace Uncertainty: Kumar encourages graduates to embrace uncertainty and discomfort, approach situations with a beginner’s mind, and be open to learning and growth.