Dr. Ibram Kendi Commencement Speech

Summary

In 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 They urge graduates to avoid becoming anti-intellectuals, who cling to outdated beliefs and ignore evidence, and instead to strive for a life of continuous learning and self-critique.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

00:00

🎓 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.

05:02

🧠 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.

10:05

🌍 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.

15:07

🚀 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.

Keywords

💡Doctorate

A doctorate is the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most fields of study. In the context of the video, it represents a significant academic achievement and the beginning of a new chapter for the graduates. The speaker uses the doctorate as a metaphor for a 'mountain peak' that the graduates have climbed, emphasizing the journey and the challenges faced along the way.

💡Intellectual

An intellectual is someone who engages in deep thinking, reflection, and the pursuit of knowledge. The speaker challenges the audience to consider whether they are intellectuals, not just by virtue of their doctorate, but by their commitment to truth, self-reflection, and openness to new ideas. The term is used to encourage graduates to continue their intellectual growth beyond their formal education.

💡Anti-Intellectualism

Anti-intellectualism refers to a resistance to or dismissal of intellectual pursuits and critical thinking. The speaker warns against becoming an anti-intellectual, characterized by a closed mind and a resistance to new ideas or evidence that challenges one's beliefs. This concept is contrasted with the ideal of an intellectual, highlighting the importance of ongoing learning and self-critique.

💡Racism

Racism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination and prejudice. The speaker discusses the history of racist ideas and their impact on society, using racism as an example of how intellectual dishonesty and a refusal to face reality can lead to harmful societal divisions and policies.

💡Truth

Truth, in the context of the video, is presented as an objective reality that intellectuals seek to uncover and uphold. The speaker emphasizes the role of intellectuals in finding and revealing truth, suggesting that a commitment to truth is essential for social progress and the betterment of humanity.

💡Self-Reflection

Self-reflection is the process of examining one's own thoughts, feelings, and actions. The speaker defines intellectuals as those who are capable of self-reflection and self-critique, suggesting that the ability to critically examine one's own beliefs and assumptions is a hallmark of intellectualism.

💡Discrimination

Discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of individuals based on their race, gender, age, or other characteristics. The video discusses racial discrimination as a root cause of societal problems and as a concept that intellectuals must confront and challenge in order to promote justice and equality.

💡Ignorance

Ignorance, in the video, is portrayed as a lack of knowledge or understanding, often resulting from misinformation or a refusal to learn. The speaker argues that ignorance is not the cause of racist ideas but rather their effect, highlighting the role of intellectuals in combating ignorance through education and truth-seeking.

💡Hate

Hate is a strong feeling of hostility or animosity towards others. The speaker links hate to ignorance and racist ideas, suggesting that hate is fueled by a lack of understanding and a failure to challenge false narratives. The video calls for intellectuals to counteract hate by promoting understanding and empathy.

💡Reality

Reality, in this context, refers to the actual state of things as they exist, independent of our perceptions or beliefs. The speaker criticizes the suspension of reality by racist ideas and urges intellectuals to ground their thinking in reality, using evidence and facts to inform their understanding of the world.

💡Change

Change, as discussed in the video, is the process of becoming different or undergoing a transformation. The speaker encourages intellectuals to embrace change, particularly in their thinking, to remain open to new ideas and willing to revise their beliefs in light of new evidence or understanding.

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