Dr. Ibram Kendi Commencement Speech
Summary
TLDRIn this commencement address, the speaker emphasizes the distinction between earning a doctorate and being an intellectual. They define an intellectual as someone with a deep desire for knowledge, open to new ideas, and committed to truth. The speaker challenges new doctoral recipients to continue their intellectual journey, questioning societal norms, and confronting racial discrimination. They urge graduates to avoid becoming anti-intellectuals, who cling to outdated beliefs and ignore evidence, and instead to strive for a life of continuous learning and self-critique.
Takeaways
- 🎓 The speaker thanks President Fox for the invitation and acknowledges various groups present, including UF's Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and fellow Floridians and Americans.
- 📚 The speaker discusses their new book 'Stamped from the Beginning' and their travels across the nation to speak about it, including a memorable visit to Anchorage, Alaska.
- 🏔 The speaker humorously compares the doctoral process to climbing a mountain and greets those who have 'climbed' this peak, highlighting the achievement of receiving a doctoral degree from the University of Florida.
- 🤔 The speaker poses a central question about whether having a doctorate makes one an intellectual, emphasizing that an intellectual is defined by a desire to know and a capacity for self-reflection and change.
- 😔 The speaker laments the existence of individuals with advanced degrees who may not be intellectuals, drawing parallels to other professions where titles do not necessarily reflect the essence of one's work or beliefs.
- 🧠 The speaker defines an intellectual as someone with a tremendous desire to know, open to new ideas, willing to challenge their own views, and committed to finding and revealing the truth.
- 🌐 The speaker describes the intellectual as someone who is not confined by political labels, ideologies, or cultural traditions, but rather seeks to understand humanity and solve the world's problems.
- 🚫 The speaker warns against becoming an anti-intellectual, characterized by reinforcing existing beliefs and resisting new evidence or ideas.
- 📉 The speaker argues that racist ideas have historically been used to justify societal disparities and inequities, and that intellectuals must challenge these ideas to confront the reality of racial discrimination.
- 🌟 The speaker calls on the doctoral recipients to not just be recipients of degrees but to strive to be intellectuals who make history and contribute meaningfully to the world.
- 🔍 The speaker concludes by urging the graduates to have the capacity for self-critique and to perpetually seek the truth, emphasizing the importance of intellectual pursuit over mere academic achievement.
Q & A
What is the main theme of the speech given by the speaker?
-The main theme of the speech is the distinction between having a doctorate degree and being an intellectual, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, self-reflection, and the pursuit of truth.
Why did the speaker mention Anchorage, Alaska in the beginning of the speech?
-The speaker mentioned Anchorage to highlight the extent of their travels while promoting their book, and to use the metaphor of climbing a mountain to describe the doctoral process.
What is the 'mountain' metaphor used by the speaker to describe the doctoral process?
-The 'mountain' metaphor is used to symbolize the challenges and the high achievement of completing the doctoral process, likening it to climbing one of the world's highest peaks.
What does the speaker mean when they ask 'Are you an intellectual?'
-The speaker is questioning whether the graduates have a genuine desire for knowledge, the capacity for self-reflection, and the commitment to seeking truth beyond just having earned a doctorate degree.
Why does the speaker argue that having a doctorate does not automatically make someone an intellectual?
-The speaker argues this point to emphasize that being an intellectual involves a continuous pursuit of knowledge, openness to new ideas, and the willingness to challenge one's own beliefs, rather than just academic achievement.
What is the 'Intellectual Academy' the speaker refers to and how is it different from academic institutions?
-The 'Intellectual Academy' is a metaphorical place for people of all backgrounds who share a love for learning and truth-seeking, regardless of their formal education. It contrasts with traditional academia by being inclusive and not limited to those with formal degrees.
What does the speaker mean by 'the tragedy of a doctorate holder who is not an intellectual'?
-The speaker refers to the missed opportunity and potential misuse of knowledge when someone with a doctorate degree does not use their education to pursue truth, but instead becomes complacent or dogmatic.
What role does the speaker assign to intellectuals in society?
-The speaker assigns intellectuals the role of truth-seekers, problem solvers, and agents of change who are not confined by political, economic, or cultural biases, but are dedicated to understanding and improving the world.
How does the speaker define 'anti-intellectuals' and why are they problematic?
-Anti-intellectuals are defined as those who cling to preconceived notions, reject new ideas, and are not open to self-critique. They are problematic because they contribute to ignorance, perpetuate harmful beliefs, and resist positive societal change.
What is the connection the speaker makes between racist ideas and anti-intellectualism?
-The speaker connects racist ideas to anti-intellectualism by stating that racist beliefs are often the result of a refusal to question assumptions and seek truth, which are key traits of anti-intellectualism.
What challenge does the speaker pose to the doctoral graduates at the end of the speech?
-The speaker challenges the graduates to continue their pursuit of knowledge and truth, to avoid becoming complacent, and to strive to make a meaningful impact on the world as intellectuals, not just as degree holders.
Outlines
🎓 Commencement Speech Honor and Intellectual Inquiry
The speaker expresses gratitude for the invitation to speak and acknowledges various groups present, including UF's Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and fellow Floridians. They reference their new book, 'Stamped from the Beginning,' and share anecdotes from speaking engagements, including one in Anchorage, Alaska. The speaker uses the metaphor of climbing a mountain to describe the doctoral process, emphasizing the journey and the support of advisors. They pose a central question about the nature of being an intellectual, distinguishing it from merely holding a doctorate, and challenge the audience to consider what comes next for their minds beyond their careers.
🧠 Defining Intellectualism Beyond Academic Achievement
The speaker delves into the definition of an intellectual, arguing that it is not solely based on the accumulation of knowledge but rather on a deep desire to learn, an openness to new ideas, and a willingness to self-reflect and critique. They describe intellectuals as nomadic in thought, constantly seeking better conceptual spaces and not being confined by political, ideological, or cultural boundaries. The speaker warns against the dangers of anti-intellectualism, which includes reinforcing one's own beliefs and resisting new evidence, and contrasts this with the role of intellectuals in challenging and changing societal norms and ideas.
🌍 The Impact of Racist Ideas and the Role of Intellectuals
The speaker discusses the historical persistence of racist ideas and their impact on society, using their book 'Stamped from the Beginning' as a reference. They argue that racist ideas have been propagated by some of the best-trained minds in history to justify racial disparities and inequities. The speaker challenges the audience to consider the two possible explanations for these disparities: inherent racial superiority or inferiority, or societal issues such as racial discrimination. They emphasize the importance of intellectuals in confronting and addressing these issues, transcending comfort, tradition, and labels to seek truth and understanding.
🚀 Embracing the Journey of Intellectualism Post-Doctorate
In the final paragraph, the speaker reiterates the call for the audience to embrace intellectualism, not just as a pursuit during their academic journey but as a lifelong commitment. They encourage the doctoral recipients to continue the climb towards truth, to critique and change themselves and the world around them. The speaker expresses a desire for the graduates to make history and be remembered for their groundbreaking work, urging them to break from old grounds and steer the academic current rather than being engulfed by it.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Doctorate
💡Intellectual
💡Anti-Intellectualism
💡Racism
💡Truth
💡Self-Reflection
💡Discrimination
💡Ignorance
💡Hate
💡Reality
💡Change
Highlights
The speaker expresses gratitude to President Fox for the invitation and acknowledges various groups present.
The mention of the speaker's travels promoting their new book, 'Stamped from the Beginning', across the nation.
A humorous anecdote about speaking in Anchorage, Alaska, and the physical sensation of 'defrosting'.
The comparison of climbing a mountain to the doctoral process, as a metaphor for academic achievement.
The question posed to the doctoral recipients about whether they consider themselves intellectuals.
The assertion that having a doctorate does not automatically make one an intellectual.
The definition of an intellectual as someone with a desire to know, capable of self-reflection and change.
The call to action for graduates to join the 'Academy of Intellectuals', an inclusive group of diverse individuals.
The distinction between knowledge and intellect, emphasizing the importance of the latter.
The speaker's personal anecdote about the importance of not standing between students and their degrees.
A discussion on the role of intellectuals in society, particularly their commitment to truth and self-critique.
The warning against becoming an anti-intellectual, someone who reinforces their own beliefs without questioning.
The historical context provided on the origins of racist ideas and their impact on society.
The explanation of how racist ideas have been used to justify societal disparities and inequities.
The challenge to the graduates to not only receive their degrees but to also embrace the role of intellectuals.
The final call to action for the graduates to make history and be remembered for their groundbreaking work.
The closing remarks, urging the graduates to leave the University of Florida as intellectuals, not just degree holders.
Transcripts
it's truly truly an honor to to stand
before you of course I'd like to thank
President Fox for inviting me to speak
I'd like to greet uf's Board of Trustees
I'd like to greet uf's administrators
and faculty and and staff and students I
would like to greet my fellow Floridians
and of course fellow Americans President
Fox mentioned my new book stamped from
the beginning
well I've actually been traveling all
over the nation the last few months
speaking about this book and when I say
all over the nation I mean all over the
nation I even spoke in Anchorage
Alaska and yes I am still defrosting and
so if you see water coming out of my
pores that's not sweat that's literally
ice melting in in in all seriousness
Anchorage is a beautiful city surrounded
by mountains that seem to always be
kissing the beautiful blue sky from the
city center you can see the highest peak
in North America a mountain the natives
call Denali you may know it as Mount
McKinley as we gazed up at the mountains
one day my host asked if I had ever had
a desire to climb a huge
mountain I replied I've already climbed
a huge mountain I climbed one of the
highest mountain peaks in the world the
doctoral process so I'd like to greet
all those courageous climbers who
tracked up the mountain that is the
doctoral process I'm so happy to be
standing here at this Mountaintop with
you and with your families and with your
friends and your doctoral advisers who
pushed you and pulled you along the way
as you stand at this peak about to
receive this prestigious doctoral degree
from the University of Florida I suspect
you're not only celebrating but you're
also thinking about what is
next when I say thinking about what is
next I'm not talking about you thinking
about what is next in your career I
don't want to talk about that today
enough people have talked to you about
that already I want to talk to you about
what is next for your mind now that you
will be a doctoral
recipient what is next for your mind now
that you will have those three letters
by your name what is next for your mind
now that some people will call you
doctor and and I say some people because
your parents are not going to call you
Doctor you'll always be your mother or
your father's baby no even if you have a
doctorate degree the point of my address
is to ask you a very simple question are
you an intellectual
I know you have earned your doctorate
degree but I'm asking are you an
intellectual I'm asking this question
because you need to know that having a
doctorate does not make you an
intellectual becoming a professor does
not make you an intellectual working in
a research lab does not make you an
intellectual thinking at a think tank
does not make you in intellectual it is
so embarrassing but there are doctorates
who are not intellectuals just like
there are MDS who are not healers just
like there are JDS who are not about
Justice just like there are Reverend who
are not about God isn't that a tragedy a
tragedy walking a reverend who is not
about God isn't that a tragedy walking a
JD who is not about Justice isn't that a
tragedy walking in MD who is not a
Healer isn't that a tragedy walking a
doctorate holder who is not an
intellectual do not become that person
today you are joining an illustrious
Academy of doctoral recipients but I
want to talk to you today about joining
an even more illustrious Academy of
intellectuals no doctorate degree is
required to join the intellectual ual
Academy this is an inclusive Academy
with all types of people coming from all
types of backgrounds there are people
with only a GED in this intellectual
Academy there are incarcerated people in
this intellectual Academy there are
homeless people in this intellectual
Academy there are poor people in this
intellectual Academy so when I say
intellectual I'm not referring to some
someone who knows a wealth of
information all of you I'm sure know a
lot you know a lot about your discipline
and your field and your research
otherwise you wouldn't be here waiting
for me to finish this speech so you can
get your degree already and go to dinner
you know i' I've sort of learned the
hard way that standing between students
and their degrees is unwise and standing
between American families in their food
is really unwise but but please please
bear with me me I do not measure a
person's intellect based on how much a
person knows I do not consider myself an
intellectual because I know a lot about
American history how much you know has
no bearing on how much you are an
intellectual I defined and many others
Define an intellectual as someone with a
tremendous desire to know in
intellectuals have a tremendous capacity
to change their minds on matters to
self-reflect to self-critique
intellectuals are only governed by one
special interest and that special
interest is rarely
self-serving and that special interest
is finding and revealing the truth all
of you will be getting your doctoral
degrees but how many of you have a
tremendous desire
to know how many of your minds are wide
open to new ideas how many of you are
searching for ideas that challenge how
you see the world how many of you are
willing to look differently at the world
with the blink of new evidence how many
of you are critiquing your own ideas as
intensely as you critique the ideas of
others intellectuals are a nomadic
people constantly changing their
conceptual location constantly in search
of a better conceptual space
intellectuals are constantly working out
you know we have workout Warriors of the
body those who pump iron to break down
old muscles to allow newer and bigger
and better muscles to grow in their
place well intellectuals are workout
Warriors of the Mind regularly breaking
down old ideas to allow new ideas and
bigger ideas and better ideas to grow in
their place are you an intellectual or
will you become the tragedy that is the
anti-intellectual with a doctorate
degree you know those anti-intellectuals
who stay close to what was taught to
them by their family and friends and
favorite teachers and favorite shows you
know those anti-intellectuals who are
constantly seeking to reinforce their
own beliefs you know those
anti-intellectuals ual who have planted
themselves so deeply in a position that
no hurricane of of Truth could uproot
them you know those anti-intellectuals
who develop convincing lies that ensure
pseudo science is well funded convincing
lies that ensure corrupt politicians are
elected convincing lies that ensure
harmful products are sold convincing
lies that ensure that facts are
discredited convincing lies that Ensure
that the bigots are exonerated for their
crimes against humanity I Chronicle
these
anti-intellectuals in my new book
stamped from the beginning the history
of racist ideas is the history of
anti-intellectualism for nearly 600
years some of the best trained Minds in
Western Europe in the American colonies
in the United States have been trying to
prove that white people have been on the
winning and prospering and living end of
Western Society not because of racial
discrimination but because they are
superior for nearly 600 years some of
the best trained Minds have been trying
to prove that black people have been on
the losing and impoverishing and dying
end of society not because of racial
discrimination but because they are
inferior you should know that a racist
idea
is any idea that suggests a racial group
is Superior or inferior to another
racial group in any way you should also
know that there are only two ways to
explain racial disparities and racial
inequities there are only two ways to
explain why black people were enslaved
and white people were free there are
only two ways to explain why young black
men are 21 times more likely to be be
killed by the police than young white
men either there's something wrong and
inferior about black people racist ideas
or there's something wrong with Society
racial discrimination throughout this
nation's history Americans have dove
into the false Waters of racist ideas
because we do not want to confront the
reality of racial discrimination we've
not bred intellectuals because only
intellectuals are willing to always face
reality only intellectuals pledge to
look for and say the truth and nothing
but the truth I show in stamped from the
beginning that ignorance and hate did
not lead to racist ideas as we've
commonly been told but the production
and circulation and consumption of
racist ideas is what actually led to
ignorance and hate we hate because we
are ignorant about other groups our
nation is racially divided because we
attack groups of people instead of the
policies that harm us all we have been
led to believe that Latino immigrants
are taking out jobs even though the hard
data shows otherwise and so ignorantly
we hate them we have been led to believe
that Muslims and black criminals are the
greatest threat to our Security even
though the hard data shows otherwise and
so ignorantly we hate them we have been
led to believe that lazy black people
depend on the so-called handouts of
welfare and affirmative action even
though the hard data shows otherwise and
so ignorantly we hate them racist ideas
have suspended reality drenched Us in
lies subjectified standards misled
Millions by faulty statistics and
forcibly hurted generations of
unsuspecting Americans into legal
ignorance and lethal hate we now live in
a society where Comfort matters more
than certainty where tradition matters
more than Truth where labels matter more
than Logic the task of intellectuals is
to transcend political labels the task
of intellectuals is to transcend
political ideology and economic
interests and cultural Traditions the
task of intellectuals is to transcend
Comfort the task of intellectuals is to
Fashion a clear and unadulterated mirror
of humanity so we can see ourselves for
what we really are the task of
intellectuals is to investigate the
problems of our world the task of
intellectuals is to solve the problems
of our world are you up for these tasks
Dr tal recipients are you up for the
task of being an intellectual we are
here at the Mountaintop of the doctoral
process so I ask again what is next for
your mind will you continue the
NeverEnding clim that is being an
intellectual or will you start making
your way down towards this Valley of
anti-intellectualism thinking you know
it all thinking you have the world
figured out thinking you are Beyond
critique it is certainly much easier to
be an in anti-intellectual to go with
the flow of the academic current to
reinforce what people already think but
you can have a very nice career as an
anti-intellectual and the energizers of
the academic current will certainly
reward you but know that this academic
current will engulf you your work will
not be remembered you will not make
history I want you to make history not
be history I want your work to be
remembered not forgotten I want you to
power and steer the academic current not
be engulfed by it I want to be
celebrating you one day I want your
family and friends to be bragging about
more than their child has a doctorate
degree I want your family and friends to
be bragging about how you your
groundbreaking work is changing the
world but in order to break new grounds
we must break from our old grounds in
order to change the world we must
critique the world but before we can
change or critique something else we
must have the capacity to change and
critique ourselves we must have the
capacity to be intellectuals to be on
the perpetual will climb towards the
always Rising peak of Truth
congratulations on receiving your
doctorate degree but in all honesty
that's not enough for me I don't want
you just to leave UF with just a
doctorate degree I want you to leave UF
as an intellectual thank
you
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