Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Harvard Speech Was Seriously Inspiring
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a literary legend The award-winning Nigerian writer not only has a number of acclaimed books under her belt, she is also a strong advocate for women's rights. Maybe you've heard some of her 'We Should All Be Feminists' speech in Beyoncé's 'Flawless'?
When she's not writing best-selling fiction inspired by her ancestry and experiences - one of which is being made into a film starring Lupita Nyong'o - Adichie takes time to speak on her views and help inspire the next generation.
Students of Harvard University asked her to speak at their 2018 Class Day ceremony, to mark this year's graduating class. On Wednesday, the one-time Harvard fellow became the first African to address graduating students at Harvard's Class Day. She captivated the crowds at the prestigious Massachusetts school, urging them to value truth and change the world for the better.
— Harvard Alumni Association (@HarvardAlumni) May 23, 2018
Speaking to the spectators and graduating students, she started with some personal stories. She told the crowd a story about how a woman had mispronounced her name, using the tale to stress how important intent is behind a person's actions.
"My name is Chimamanda. In Igbo it means 'my personal spirit will never be broken'," she began.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's speech focused on questions about truth and lies in the political system. "Today, the political discourse in America includes questions that are straight from the land of the absurd. Questions such as 'Should we call a lie, a lie?' 'When is a lie, a lie?' ", she said "And so Class of 2018, at no time has it felt as urgent as now that we must protect and value the truth."
She talked about the example that students had set by protesting and advocating for many social issues. "We do not need first to be perfect before we can do what is right and just. And you are not unfamiliar with speaking the truth.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie at Harvard (Courtesy: The Crimson)
"When you stood alongside dining hall workers at the strike, when you protested the end of DACA, when you supported the Black Lives Matter movement, you were speaking the truth about the dignity every single human being deserves. I applaud you, I urge you to continue," she said.
Rounding off her talk, Adichie delivered an inspiring final thought to the Harvard graduating class.
"Your story does not have to have a traditional arc. There is an Igbo saying [which] translates literally to 'whenever you wake up, that is your morning. What matters is that you wake up," she said.
"The world is calling you. America is calling you. There is work to be done. There are tarnished things that need to shine again. There are broken things that need to be made whole again. You are in a position to do this, you can do it. Be courageous, tell the truth. I wish you courage and I wish you well."
Powerful stuff!
You can watch the entire speech below! Chat to us on Twitter, and let us know how what you think in the comments below. It's always great to hear from you!
WATCH: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's inspiring Harvard Class Day speech
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Size Guide
Women | Grass-fields
Size
Bust Measurement
Waist Measurement
Lower Hip Measurement
UK4
US0
79CM
31“
60CM
23.5”
84CM
33“
UK6
US2
81.5CM
32“
62.5CM
24.5“
86.5CM
34”
UK8
US4
84CM
33“
65CM
25.5“
89CM
35”
UK10
US6
89CM
35“
70CM
27.5“
94CM
37”
UK12
US8
94CM
37“
75CM
29.5“
99CM
39”
UK14
US10
99CM
39“
80CM
31.5“
104CM
41”
UK16
US12
104CM
41“
85CM
33.5“
109CM
43”
UK18
US14
111CM
43.5“
92CM
36“
116CM
45.5”
UK20
US16
118CM
46.5’’
99CM
39’’
123CM
48.5’’
UK22
US18
125CM
49’’
106CM
41.5’’
130CM
51’’
UK24
US20
132CM
52’’
120CM
44.5’’
144CM
54’’
Mens | Grass-fields
Size
Chest
Waist
Hips
XS
38"
25
33
S
40"
27.5
35
M
42"
30
38
L
44"
32.5
42
XL
46"
34.5
45
XXL
48"
39
48
Kidswear | Grass-fields
Age
Chest
Waist
1
20“
19.5”
2
20.5“
20“
3
21.5“
20.5“
4
22.5“
21“
5
23“
21.5“
6
24“
22“
7
24.5“
22.5“
8
26“
23.5“
9
27.5’’
24’’
10
28.5’’
24.5’’
International Conversion
Women | Grass-fields
UK
USA
EU
IT
AU
UK4
US0
32
34
AU4
UK6
US2
34
36
AU6
UK8
US4
36
38
AU8
UK10
US6
38
40
AU10
UK12
US8
40
42
AU12
UK14
US10
42
44
AU14
UK16
US12
44
46
AU16
UK18
US14
46
48
AU18
UK20
US16
48
50
AU20
UK22
US18
50
52
AU22
UK24
US20
52
54
AU24
How to measure.
To choose the correct size for you, measure your body as follow
Bust- measure around the fullest part.
Waist- Measure around your natural waistline.
Hips- Measure 20cm down from your natural waistline