Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: 2015 Wellesley College Commencement Speaker

Summary

In a commencement address to the Wellesley class of 2015, the speaker reflects on her journey with feminism, the importance of challenging traditional gender roles, and the power of individual effort. She shares personal anecdotes, including her mother's trailblazing career and her own experiences with gender bias, to inspire graduates to embrace their privilege and use it to effect change. The speaker also discusses the complexities of feminism, the importance of authenticity, and the need to value love as both giving and taking.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker expresses gratitude for being invited to address the Wellesley class of 2015 and admires the college's mission and achievements.
• 🌟 The speaker playfully suggests that the graduates are lucky to be graduating from a prestigious institution and humorously hints at Hillary Clinton's potential presidency.
• 💄 A personal anecdote about makeup is shared to illustrate the speaker's early experiences with gender bias and the subsequent appreciation for makeup's transformative power.
• 👀 The speaker acknowledges early awareness of gender injustice and the understanding that privilege, whether based on gender or other factors, can blind individuals to the experiences of others.
• 👩‍💼 The importance of not letting one's privileges, such as a Wellesley education, blind them to the struggles of others is emphasized.
• 📚 The speaker's mother's story about challenging traditional gender roles in a professional setting is recounted to highlight the complexities of feminism and gender identity.
• 🌍 The speaker encourages graduates to challenge standardized ideologies and to understand that life's experiences are often messy and don't fit neatly into categories.
• 💪 The narrative of the speaker's own journey, from leaving medical school to pursuing writing, underlines the importance of trying, even when success is not guaranteed.
• 🌈 The speaker calls for graduates to create a world that reflects their values, to challenge norms, and to advocate for change in various aspects of society, including media representation and gender roles.
• 🏆 The speaker reflects on the meaning of feminism, advocating for an inclusive and diverse understanding of the movement rather than a narrow, elitist one.
• ❤️ The speaker shares a personal family crisis involving her father's kidnapping, highlighting the importance of reevaluating what truly matters in life and urging graduates to do the same.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the commencement speech given at Wellesley College?

The main theme of the speech is about the importance of recognizing and using one's privilege, the personal journey of the speaker with makeup and feminism, and the encouragement for the graduates to challenge gender norms and create a more inclusive and equitable world.

Why did the speaker decide to wear yellow eye shadow in the beginning?

The speaker decided to wear yellow eye shadow as a nod to the class color of the graduating class of 2015 at Wellesley College, but ultimately chose a yellowish head wrap instead.

What personal anecdote does the speaker share about makeup and a man's dismissive comment?

The speaker shares an anecdote about being dismissed by a man at a dinner party in Lagos who belittled her opinion on traditional Igbo culture, which led her to start wearing makeup to appear older and more authoritative.

How does the speaker's mother's story about the 'Chairman' sign reflect her views on gender roles?

The speaker's mother insisted on being referred to as 'Chairman' instead of 'Chairperson' to assert that her role was not different from that of a man, reflecting a feminist stance that challenges traditional gender roles.

What was the speaker's initial career path before becoming a writer?

The speaker initially pursued a career in medicine by enrolling in medical school, but after one year, she left to pursue her passion for writing.

What advice does the speaker give about trying new things despite uncertainty?

The speaker encourages the graduates to take risks and try new things, emphasizing that they have the tools and education from Wellesley to do so, and that trying is more important than fearing failure.

How does the speaker suggest graduates should influence the world after graduation?

The speaker suggests that graduates should influence the world by creating media that normalizes female strength, teaching students to recognize vulnerability as a human trait, advocating for paid paternity leave, and hiring more women in various fields.

What personal experience does the speaker share about her father's kidnapping in Nigeria?

The speaker shares a deeply emotional experience of her father being kidnapped in Nigeria, which led to a period of intense fear and uncertainty for her and her family before he was released after a ransom was paid.

What does the speaker mean when she says 'feminism should be an inclusive party'?

The speaker means that feminism should not be limited to a specific group or ideology but should be open and welcoming to various perspectives and experiences, embracing a diversity of 'feminisms'.

What advice does the speaker give about love and relationships?

The speaker advises that love should be a balance of giving and taking, and that one should not silence their inner voice or needs in relationships, encouraging graduates to love authentically and without compromise.