Her dreams are surely coming to pass and her latest achievement has further placed her on a pedestal that is yet unmatched. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
Her dreams are surely coming to pass and her latest achievement has further placed her on a pedestal that is yet unmatched. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the global phenomenon that she has become, became the first African ever to deliver the Harvard University Class Day Speech which is a major feature of the university’s annual graduation events to at least an audience of 8000 people. Class Day speakers are selected by the students themselves.
She joins the prestigious list of previous speakers such as former US Vice President under President Obama, Joe Biden; former President Bill Clinton; Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg; Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Mother Teresa; legendary music producer Quincy Jones; Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke; CNN Host Christiane Amampour; and Corretta Scott King, the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who delivered the very first Class Day speech in 1968 (Dr. King accepted the invitation before he was assassinated in April of that year, and his wife spoke in his place.)
Chimamanda’s speech on Wednesday at Harvard, included the importance of seeking to tell the truth in today’s world. She also spoke about why it is important for people to be outraged, while understanding the context in which an event took place or a statement was made as well as the intent of the protagonist or speaker before becoming offended or outraged.
She exhorted the graduating students to be courageous in speaking the truth, as it may often mean that one is criticised for it, but that they will be able to gain true satisfaction from having maintained their integrity.
“There is nothing more beautiful than to wake up every day holding in your hand the full measure of your integrity,” she said.
This feat comes just as the globally recognized author received an honorary degree from Amherst College, in Massachusetts. She was the honorary speaker at the institution’s 197th commencement exercise. For her address, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie spoke about “Writing Fiction and Performing Citizenship” at their Johnson Chapel. Adichie received her degree alongside political scientist Danielle S. Allen, SPL Center co-founder Morris Dees, environmental security advocate Sherri Wasserman Goodman, art historian Kellie Jones and health advocate Philip J. Landrigan.
