KINGDOM 2
We all have the capacity to change the world around us – either positively or negatively. Voicing our opinions can be a substantial tool in making a difference.
In the following speech, given at a New York University graduation ceremony, musician Pharrell Williams praises students for their activism and encourages them to use their education to serve humanity.
Pharrell Williams at NYU Graduation
Thank you. Hi everybody. I want to thank all of you for this humbling experience today. This is major. It’s super heavy and I’m very really grateful. My mom is a lifelong educator—so this is gonna be a really good look for me.
To be a part of a group like this is unimaginable. To speak on behalf of our group is an honor that I am not sure I am qualifi ed for. Their accomplishments ... The body of work represented on this stage is staggering. We have history-makers. Miracle-workers in their own way. If their names aren’t on buildings yet, they’re totally gonna be.
I’d like to say that I am forever a student, and its people like this that I’m forever grateful to learn from. They are fearless, boundless, multi-disciplined and multi- talented. They break down barriers and embody the focus and dedication that this planet needs—even if, for Mark Kelly, it means leaving from time to time.
Some may call them public servants, but their work is actually in the service of humanity and standing with them here today … and it’s totally mind-blowing.
In this day and age, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that it’s the people who serve humanity, that make the world really go around. Most social media and media itself would lead you to believe otherwise.
This group’s work doesn’t fuel gossip. Sadly, it doesn’t generate a lot of clicks amongst a sea of headlines designed to bait. Their work is often too important to be boiled down to just a quick headline. Their work has never been more important, yet as a society, we seem to celebrate less important achievements far more frequently. I am glad to be a part of a moment that recognizes these people, the real movers and shakers.
Think about it … these great scientists, public servants, and activists cannot be bothered with building their Instagram followers. Or how many views they get on YouTube ... But they are the real infl uencers. Their work makes us healthier, safer, more enriched, and more intelligent. Their work is designed to improve the quality of life for all people, not just themselves.
They are not motivated by attention. But rather, they are motivated by the idea of creating change. For the better.
I personally fi nd that incredibly inspiring. I hope you do as well.
NYU—the school you all chose to attend—is going out of its way to honor this distinguished group. What will they honor you for someday? What will they honor you for?
Speaking to you guys today has me charged up. As you fi nd your ways to serve humanity, it gives me great comfort knowing this generation is the fi rst that understands that we need to lift up our women. Imagine the possibilities when we remove imbalance from the ether. Imagine the possibilities when women are not held back. Your generation is unravelling deeply entrenched laws, principles and misguided values that have held women back for far too long and therefore, have held us all back, the human race. The world you will live in will be a lot better for it.
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Mark Kelly: an astronaut present at the ceremony
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