Harvard Chinese grad speech draws praise and ire

On May 29, Yurong Luanna Jiang, a Chinese graduate, delivered a memorable speech at Harvard University's 374th Commencement ceremony. She was the first Chinese woman to give the Graduate English Address at Harvard, and her speech quickly attracted attention both in the United States and China. Jiang spoke about the importance of unity in a world that often feels divided. She said, 'We don't rise by proving each other wrong. We rise by refusing to let one another go. ' This powerful message encouraged people to focus on cooperation and understanding rather than conflict and division. Her speech was especially meaningful because it came at a time when tensions between the US and China were high, and debates about foreign students at American universities were ongoing.

Jiang studied international development and spent her final two years of high school in Wales before attending Duke University in the US. In her speech, she highlighted the value of Harvard's diverse and international classrooms. She explained how learning alongside students from many different countries helped her and her classmates appreciate each other's cultures and traditions. She said this experience taught them to 'dance through each other's traditions' and to 'carry the weight of each other's worlds. ' Jiang's message was about recognizing the humanity in everyone, even those we might see as opponents. She urged her audience to remember that those labeled as enemies are also human beings, and by seeing their humanity, we find our own.

Despite the positive response from many, Jiang's speech also sparked controversy. Some critics in the US accused her of having ties to the Chinese Communist Party, pointing to her father's work with a non-government organization they claimed was connected to the party. These accusations came amid efforts by US authorities to limit the number of foreign students at Harvard. In China, some people argued that Jiang's elite background did not represent the average Chinese student. Others, however, praised her courage and the heartfelt message she shared. Her speech went viral on Chinese social media, with many users expressing how moved they were by her words. Some even encouraged her to stay in the US and continue shining abroad. Overall, Jiang's speech highlighted the challenges and hopes of international students navigating complex political and cultural landscapes.