“Two weeks ago, I recorded a very different commencement speech to help celebrate the wonderful achievement that is graduation,” Lady Gaga said during a virtual graduation ceremony on Sunday hosted by YouTube and is headed by Barack and Michelle Obama. The singer went on to explain how his original speech had reflected on the course coronavirus pandemic, however, was written before the death of George Floyd and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests to demand justice and face racism on a systematic basis.
Gaga arrived to ensure that the graduates that, although there is a lot to feel sadness at this time, there is also progress to celebrate: “You are viewing what is a crucial moment in this country’s evolution. You are seeing society change in a deeply important way.”
Gaga presented a metaphor to describe the nation in its current state, as well as its future: “When I think about racism in the united states, I imagine a large forest filled densely with tall trees — trees as old as this country itself, the trees that were planted with the racist seeds, trees that grew to the prejudice of the branches and crushing leaves and cut off roots.” Gaga said: “I use the analog between the racism and the nature in this country because it is so dominant and so real as the nature. It is a part of everything the light touches, but at this point, all of us are being invited to challenge that system and to think about how to achieve a real change.”
“I can’t wait to see the forest.”
The younger generations, however, offer the hope and the possibility of a new forest. “It is you who are the seeds of the future”, Gaga said. “You are the seeds that will grow into a new and different forest that is far more beautiful and loving than the one we live in today.” Later, she added, “I think that fine the seeds have been presented with a wonderful gift: the opportunity to reflect on this great moment in their morals, their principles and their values, and how they will guide you through life as it is presented . . . Congratulations to the class of 2020. Can’t wait to see the forest.” See the passionate speech earlier.
