Undergraduate Speaker Sarah Abushaar | Harvard Commencement 2014

Summary

The speaker reflects on their transformative experience at Harvard, drawing parallels between the university's self-contained 'nation' and their childhood fantasies of conquest in Syria. They recount how Harvard's structures and invisible institutions fostered a vibrant social dynamism, contrasting sharply with the institutional dysfunction they witnessed in their home country. The speaker's interactions with influential figures at Harvard, such as a president, instilled a sense of empowerment and the belief that they too could shape history. They express hope for the future, inspired by the potential of their fellow graduates to initiate positive change on a global scale, not through armed conflict, but through the power of ideas and the cultivation of better institutions.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker grew up in Syria with fantasies of taking over the country, which were quickly crushed by their parents' warnings of secret service and imprisonment.
• 👪 In contrast to Western children's fears of ghosts and the Boogeyman, the speaker's childhood was dominated by the fear of government surveillance and the threat of prison.
• 🕍 Upon arrival at Harvard, the speaker was struck by the idea that Harvard could be its own country, with its own institutions and symbols, much like the Vatican.
• 🏛 The speaker observed the Harvard 'nation' through its structures, such as the John Harvard statue, Harvard clubs, and the Harvard Alumni Association, as well as its invisible institutions like student debates and newspaper columns.
• 🛂 At US immigration, the speaker's Harvard affiliation was a passport to acceptance and the 'American dream', highlighting the power and prestige of the Harvard name.
• 📰 The speaker saw the vibrancy and dynamism of civil society at Harvard, which was a stark contrast to the institutional dysfunction in their parents' countries.
• 💭 The experience at Harvard provided the speaker with a model for a better world and a sense of empowerment to initiate change.
• 🎓 The speaker's first class at Harvard was a transformative moment, where they were encouraged to debate with a president, symbolizing the potential to shape history.
• 👣 The Harvard experience was likened to running barefoot, collecting experiences, ideas, and history that changed the way the speaker saw the world.
• 🌱 The speaker is hopeful for the future, inspired by the potential of the graduating class to carry their Harvard-sparked ideas into the world and create positive change.
• ☘️ The 'Harvard Spring of 2014' is seen as a global revolution, not of arms, but of minds, with the power to be more pervasive and permanent.

Q & A

What did the speaker and his brother indulge in during long taxi rides in Syria?

The speaker and his brother indulged in imperialistic fantasies of taking over the country outside their windows.

What was the speaker warned about by their parents during these fantasies?

The speaker was warned that they could be taken by the secret service if they heard their revolutionary ideas.

How did the speaker describe the Harvard community as they experienced it?

The speaker described the Harvard community as a 'Harvard Nation' with its own structures and invisible institutions, including its own version of the Statue of Liberty, embassies, tax collection agency, and diplomatic passports.

What did the speaker notice about their interactions at the US immigration at Boston Logan Airport?

The speaker noticed that when they dressed in Harvard attire, they were treated as a non-threat and welcomed to America, highlighting the perceived prestige and influence of being associated with Harvard.

What did the speaker observe about the Harvard Crimson newspaper and student debates?

The speaker observed that the Crimson newspaper and student debates were platforms for lively discussions and ideas that had the potential to influence policy changes.

How did the speaker feel about the value of civil society and living, breathing institutions after experiencing Harvard?

The speaker felt the value of civil society and living institutions acutely, contrasting it with the institutional dysfunction in their parents' countries, which stifled social dynamism and productivity.

What was the impact of the speaker's first class at Harvard where they debated with a president?

The experience made the speaker feel empowered, giving them a sense of possibility that they too could shape history, rather than just being shaped by it.

How did the speaker's name change after attending Harvard?

The speaker's name changed from 'Sarah' to 'Hey, Harvard,' reflecting the strong association and identity they developed with the institution.

What does the speaker hope to carry with them from their Harvard experience?

The speaker hopes to carry the accumulations of experiences, people, history, and ideas that changed their worldview and leave a footprint of the best they took from Harvard on their new destinations.

Why is the speaker hopeful for the future?

The speaker is hopeful for the future because of the civil conversations and generative projects they witnessed among friends from warring countries, and the potential for the graduating class to launch revolutionary ideas into the world.

What does the speaker refer to as the 'Harvard spring of 2014'?

The 'Harvard spring of 2014' refers to the graduating class of 2014, which the speaker sees as 6,000 revolutions or great ideas being sent into the world to create change, not through arms but through minds.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ The Harvard Nation: A Symbol of Independence and Empowerment

The first paragraph of the script describes the author's childhood fantasies of taking over Syria, which were quickly dismissed by their parents due to the oppressive nature of the government. Fast forward to 2010, the author reflects on the idea that Harvard could be its own country, noting the similarities such as its own version of the Statue of Liberty, embassies, tax collection agency, and an endowment larger than many countries' GDPs. The author emphasizes the power and influence of the 'Harvard Nation', highlighting its own structures and invisible institutions, which foster a vibrant and dynamic community. The author also discusses the sense of empowerment and the ability to initiate change that comes from being part of Harvard, contrasting it with the institutional dysfunction they experienced in their home country.

05:00

🌟 Shaping History: The Power of Education and Dialogue

In the second paragraph, the author recounts their surprise at being able to debate with a president in one of their first classes at Harvard. This experience, along with the interaction with the Ecuadorian president, instilled a sense of potential and empowerment in the author, making them feel capable of shaping history. The author reflects on the transformative nature of their time at Harvard, where seemingly intractable global problems became opportunities for change. They also discuss the personal growth and the accumulation of experiences, ideas, and history that each student carries with them after their time at Harvard. The author expresses hope for the future, inspired by the civil conversations and collaborative projects they witnessed among friends from warring countries, and the potential for graduates to take revolutionary ideas into the world, sparking a 'Harvard Spring' of global change.

Keywords

💡Imperialistic fantasies

Imperialistic fantasies refer to the imaginative scenarios where one desires to dominate or control others, often in a political context. In the video, the speaker recalls childhood fantasies of taking over countries during taxi rides in Syria, which contrasts with the reality of their upbringing under oppressive governments.

💡Harvard Nation

The term 'Harvard Nation' metaphorically describes the university as if it were a separate country with its own institutions and culture. The speaker uses this to highlight the unique and self-contained environment of Harvard, which has its own set of rules, traditions, and symbols that give it a sense of autonomy and identity.

💡Invisible institutions

Invisible institutions refer to the underlying systems, norms, and social structures that govern behavior and interactions within a community, even though they are not physically visible. In the context of the video, the speaker appreciates the vibrant and dynamic nature of Harvard's invisible institutions, such as student-led initiatives and debates, which foster a sense of community and empowerment.

💡Civil society

Civil society encompasses the collective of non-governmental organizations and individuals who work to promote social and political change. The speaker contrasts the vibrant civil society at Harvard with the institutional dysfunction in their parents' countries, highlighting the importance of active and engaged communities for societal progress.

💡Empowerment

Empowerment is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights. The video's theme of empowerment is evident as the speaker describes how their experiences at Harvard instilled a sense of agency and the belief that they could actively shape history rather than being passive observers.

💡Global Revolution

A global revolution implies a worldwide shift or change in societal structures, norms, or values. The speaker uses this term to express optimism for the future, envisioning the graduates of Harvard as agents of change who will carry their experiences and ideas into the world to create a more just and equitable society.

💡Harvard Spring

The term 'Harvard Spring' is an allusion to the Arab Spring, suggesting a period of significant change or upheaval at Harvard. It symbolizes the potential for the graduating class to initiate change and revolution in thought and action, inspired by their time at the university.

💡Ideas and history

Ideas and history are central to the speaker's narrative, as they describe how the accumulation of experiences, knowledge, and interactions at Harvard has shaped their worldview. The speaker believes that the collective ideas and history absorbed during their time at Harvard will continue to influence their future actions and perspectives.

💡Diplomatic passports

Diplomatic passports are official travel documents issued to individuals who represent a country in an official capacity. In the video, the speaker humorously refers to the perception that being a student at Harvard confers a certain status and privilege, akin to possessing a diplomatic passport, which can open doors and grant access.

💡Institution dysfunction

Institution dysfunction refers to the failure or breakdown of institutions to perform their intended functions effectively. The speaker reflects on the negative impact of such dysfunction in their parents' countries, which stifled social dynamism and productivity, and contrasts it with the vibrant and functional institutions at Harvard.

💡Sense of possibility

The sense of possibility is the feeling of potential and opportunity that allows individuals to believe they can achieve great things. The video conveys how the environment at Harvard restored the speaker's childhood sense of possibility, inspiring them to see the world's problems not as insurmountable obstacles but as opportunities for change.

Highlights

The speaker fondly recalls childhood fantasies of taking over countries during taxi rides in Syria.

Parents warned against expressing revolutionary ideas due to fear of secret service surveillance.

Upon arrival in the U.S., the speaker was struck by the idea that Harvard could be its own country.

Harvard's extensive resources and influence are compared to those of a sovereign nation.

The speaker humorously recounts being perceived as less of a national security threat when dressed in Harvard attire.

The vibrant student life and community at Harvard are highlighted as a source of inspiration.

The speaker contrasts the social dynamism at Harvard with the institutional dysfunction in their parents' countries.

The empowerment to initiate change is a key takeaway from the speaker's time at Harvard.

A memorable class experience involved directly debating with the Ecuadorian president.

The speaker felt a renewed sense of possibility and power to shape history at Harvard.

The transformational impact of the Harvard experience is likened to running barefoot and collecting the world's experiences.

The speaker expresses hope for the future, inspired by the collaborative efforts of students despite global conflicts.

Harvard is portrayed as a breeding ground for revolutionary ideas that can change the world.

The graduation is seen as a catalyst for 6,000 graduates to spread their ideas and spark a global revolution.

The speaker envisions a 'Harvard Spring', a movement of the mind that is more powerful and enduring than armed conflict.

The speech concludes with applause, signifying the audience's appreciation for the speaker's perspective and vision.

Transcripts

when I was around

seven my toothless brother and I on long

boring taxi rides in Syria would indulge

in imperialistic fantasies of how we

wanted to take over the country outside

our way

Windows my parents would quickly Crush

these Imperial conquests by

warning

sh you'll get taken by secret service if

they hear

you the walls everywhere we were told

could hear our revolutionary ideas and

would send us to

prison whereas children here had ghosts

and the

Boogeyman our equivalents were

our

governments fast forward to

2010 when I first got here someone told

me if Harvard shut its Gates it could be

its own country just like the

Vatican as I've walked through this

place every day for the past four years

I was struck by how true this idea

was I saw it every everywhere the

Harvard

Nation I saw it in the big and obvious

things we had our own version of the

Statue of Liberty the John Harvard

statue our own embassies the Harvard

clubs of Boston and

London a tax collection

agency the Harvard Alumni

Association and an endowment larger than

more than half the world's country's

gdps we also had our own diplomatic

passports nowhere did I see this more

clearly than at US immigration at Boston

Logan

Airport whenever they saw I was coming

from the Middle East what were you doing

there why are you here why did God make

you from the Middle East

but I made sure I dressed like our

overly proud Harvard dads with Harvard

hat Harvard shirt Harvard shorts and

Harvard

underwear and as soon as they saw I was

a citizen of Harvard oh you go to

Harvard surely you must not be a

national security threat welcome to

America and

suddenly all all the gates to the

American dream opened

wide I saw it everywhere this Harvard

Nation but I saw it not just in the hard

structures but more importantly in its

invisible

institutions the invisible scaffolds

around and

undering the hard

institutions I saw it in the quarreling

Columns of the Crimson

newspaper its Kung Fu fights of ideas

and Lively student

debates with the potency to propel

policy changes by the next morning's

print I saw it in our cluttered bulletin

boards bustling with life with

announcements of student-led conferences

Broadway worthy shows and dorm room

projects turned world's next Facebook

smothering each other for our cursory

glimpse a trivial detail these cluttered

boards that often slip

notice but where some saw

papers I saw passions purpose creativity

I saw a

heartbeat of Civic community's

vivacity my parents countries were

places where institutional dysfunction

killed off this social dynamism and

vibrant productivity and so I felt

acutely here the

value of civil

society and

living

breathing

institutions my time here would give me

a working model of a better world not

only that but that sense of

empowerment to initiate

change you see with those spying walls

still lurking in my memory

that constrained the little napoleons in

My Brother and

Me you might imagine my shock when in

one of my first classes here I suddenly

found

myself

debating a

president so it's the 1990s our

negotiations class Professor set the

stage a war is about to break out

between Ecuador and Peru how will you

stop it I raised my hand to respond wait

Professor Shapiro stopped

me tell the president what to do and in

walked the Ecuadorian

president in bringing the president to

me in having me speak to and question a

shaper of history and experience the

value he saw in my

view Harvard would make me feel I too

could be him I too had the power to

shape history and not just be passively

shaped by it that sense of infinite

possibility we have as children to think

big and Conquer great

things was returned to me here a less

despotic version of

it but what seemed intractable problems

of the world became opportunities for me

for us to change things

you know when I first got here my name

was

Sarah after Harvard it would become hey

Harvard with people stuffing

378 years 5,000 Acres of real estate the

entirety of Widener Library and 32 heads

of state all into my 5'6 in

self ridiculous as it

is there's a strange

reality to it

Arab American Author Renda jar pictures

inhabiting a new place as running

Barefoot the skin of our feet collecting

sand and seeds and rocks and grass until

we had shoes shoes made of everything

we' picked up as we

ran and running through Harvard Yard

over the past four years the skin of our

feet collecting a world of

experiences we each become this place

and a strange way each of us picking up

bits of people and history and ideas

that changed the way we saw the

world accumulations I hope we will

continue to wear on our

souls and leave a footprint of all the

best we took from Harvard Yard on our

new

destinations and that's why I am hopeful

for the

future I am hopeful because of my dining

hall dinners spent marveling at friends

who while their countries wage bloody

war against each other are able to carry

out civil conversation and build

generative projects

together I am hopeful because of the

founding mothers and founding fathers of

revolutionary ideas like these being

launched into the world who will make of

its institutions its constitutions its

hospitals its art

houses something

better we hear a lot in the news about

an AR

spring this

graduation is sending 6,000 revolutions

into the world in the 6,000 revolutions

graduating as part of the class of

2014 if we take those revolutions those

great ideas sparked behind Chipotle

burritos and Starbucks coffee cups in

our version of taher square Harvard

Square out with us into the real world

into the real taher squares and make

something of them revolutions not in

arms but in Minds more powerful and

permanent and

pervasive for this isn't a Ukrainian

Revolution or an Arab

Spring but a global

Revolution this is the Harvard spring of

2014 this is the Harvard spring

[Applause]