Harvard grad wows crowd with spoken word commencement address

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  • čas přidán 26. 05. 2016
  • 2016 Harvard graduate Donovan Livingston delivered a powerful, inspirational and poetic speech during commencement. CBSN's Josh Elliott has more on the spoken word that's getting attention online.

Komentáře • 162

  • @steviewats0n
    @steviewats0n Před 8 lety +184

    "Injustice is telling them they are stars with out acknowledging the night that surrounds them."
    I'm proud of this man. Thank god for people like him.

  • @tamacoles
    @tamacoles Před 7 lety +534

    'Injustice is telling them education is the key, yet you continue to change the locks.'

    • @AdamRoaOfficial
      @AdamRoaOfficial Před 7 lety +8

      such an amazing line

    • @youtubefriends5391
      @youtubefriends5391 Před 7 lety +2

      taz coles

    • @ms.shieldsteacheswriting7850
      @ms.shieldsteacheswriting7850 Před 7 lety +15

      Every line is golden! Imagine what it would be like to be one of his students. The fact that he aspires to be a teacher just thrills me!

    • @melissajamma5553
      @melissajamma5553 Před 3 lety

      He speaks truth. This is the reality of this.

    • @zaneturner6495
      @zaneturner6495 Před 2 lety

      i dont mean to be so offtopic but does anybody know of a method to get back into an instagram account?
      I stupidly forgot the login password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me.

  • @petchison37
    @petchison37 Před 8 lety +77

    Those of us who know world history, the history of education, and the plight of black African Americans in regards to both understand and appreciate this young man's message. I hope that those who missed the point can study the references that he made and use that education to "lift off" from ignorance.

  • @simplyash1911
    @simplyash1911 Před 4 lety +14

    “I’ve been the black hole in the classroom for far too long”
    I felt that so much I had to pause the video 😕

  • @tess-ellabrooks3289
    @tess-ellabrooks3289 Před měsícem

    I plan to start my school year with this message. Every educator needs to listen to this, the power of impact is sometimes lost in the daily responsibilities of racing to the standardized tests.

  • @IThink2b
    @IThink2b Před 8 lety +115

    A Bright Future can't wait to hear more from him.

  • @kattyypoo23
    @kattyypoo23 Před 7 lety +26

    So authentic and powerful- can't wait to see what the future has in store for him!!!

  • @TravelBandit
    @TravelBandit Před 7 lety +125

    More barz than most rappers since 2005

    • @theo865
      @theo865 Před 7 lety +8

      Yoons Tube Naaaah give these a listen
      AJ Tracey
      Skepta
      JME
      Frisco
      Wretch 32
      Mostack
      Avelino
      67
      Krept & Konan
      Abra Cadabra
      Berna
      Chip
      Showkey
      Kano
      Giggs
      Jammz
      Kamikaze
      Wiley
      Section Boyz
      Kojo Funds
      J Hus

    • @keziaabloso9021
      @keziaabloso9021 Před 7 lety +2

      SkankHunt42 basically just listen to some london grime

  • @crystalh361
    @crystalh361 Před 8 lety +23

    This is my daughter's email address. I've never put one together for myself . . . never really interested. This story on GMA interested me enough to take a peak. Some of you have really amazed me. This was absolutely beautiful!! As I listened, the imagery was so amazingly powerful that I came away with goosebumps!! How lucky had I been?? I was beyond grateful that this kid shared something so personal and moving with us all. ( P. S. I'm an old white woman . . . make of that what you will! )

    • @ItumelengS
      @ItumelengS Před 5 lety +1

      @Lloyd Gittens are you a hater, are you mad

  • @annamartin9816
    @annamartin9816 Před 8 lety +12

    Each one teach one, we shall no forget.

  • @Hey-tc2lh
    @Hey-tc2lh Před 7 lety +22

    This is one of the most beautiful speeches I have ever heard. I will not forget this. Amazing vid :)

  • @MIG95374
    @MIG95374 Před 5 lety +7

    Best spoken word I've ever heard. I really hope he goes far in life.

  • @Blessyourheart112
    @Blessyourheart112 Před 6 lety +6

    He is the passionate educator that I wish I had had.

    • @ItumelengS
      @ItumelengS Před 5 lety

      @Lloyd Gittens are you a hater, are you mad

  • @resilientwriter
    @resilientwriter Před 8 lety +9

    This is truly remarkable. It never crossed my mind that someone could do a poem for a commencement speech, but I'm so glad he was allowed to do this. His poem possessed so many important points. Thank you for sharing this!

  • @user-pd8rc7tz4h
    @user-pd8rc7tz4h Před 7 lety +7

    that is a very articulate and sound mind and yes he''s crazy true word artist

  • @musamhawu
    @musamhawu Před 7 lety +188

    This poem should be printed and posted on every black child's bedroom wall.

  • @fannishfanning160
    @fannishfanning160 Před 7 lety +8

    The fact that he is from the School of Education warms my heart. :)

    • @ItumelengS
      @ItumelengS Před 5 lety +1

      @Lloyd Gittens are you a hater, are you mad

  • @072246102
    @072246102 Před 7 lety +1

    amazing speech!! the kind of analogy he has put forth through celestial words like star black hole and galaxy, is something which directly went into the heart.
    Thank You!!

  • @Gshkent
    @Gshkent Před 3 lety

    That passion is truth, your words are such truth!

  • @mayaamis
    @mayaamis Před 2 lety +1

    bless you Donovan beautiful speech from a bright young man :) I wish you a beautiful life and bright future you deserve!!

  • @salazar4400
    @salazar4400 Před 8 lety +25

    We need to take down the walls we have between each other as humans with love. That is the only way.

    • @Successful504
      @Successful504 Před 5 lety +1

      Justice first, for all; then peace & kum-bi-ya....

  • @toddsnyder8682
    @toddsnyder8682 Před 5 lety +1

    This young man is AWOKE my friends!

  • @tierrajones-ruff1426
    @tierrajones-ruff1426 Před 3 lety +2

    "The only difference between the classroom and a plantation....is time"

  • @BinaPgh412
    @BinaPgh412 Před 5 lety +1

    Yassss, I do not know this young man but yet...I am proud..

  • @Qstar36
    @Qstar36 Před 7 lety +12

    POWERFUL!!!

  • @BARBARA-yp7tn
    @BARBARA-yp7tn Před 8 lety +5

    I THANK GOD FOR YOU DONOVAN LIVINGSTON AND ALL OF YOUR PEERS NO MATTER THE RACE. 2016 I WAS SEARCHING SOME HOW TO HEAR A VOICE OF STRENGTH AND POWER YOU ARE ONE THIS DAY THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU SAFE ON YOUR JOURNEY.

    • @ItumelengS
      @ItumelengS Před 5 lety

      @Lloyd Gittens are you a hater, are you mad

  • @SHELOPable
    @SHELOPable Před 8 lety +12

    Outstanding!!

  • @dennistanui7085
    @dennistanui7085 Před 4 lety

    simply powerful.......

  • @i_c_ur_bs8721
    @i_c_ur_bs8721 Před 5 lety +2

    "Education is the sleep that precedes the American dream so wake up", wow. You better say it brother.

  • @sierrajones5035
    @sierrajones5035 Před 6 lety

    OMG that was so uplifting

  • @duomingkehover
    @duomingkehover Před 6 lety

    That was beautiful 🙌🏾 yes.

  • @frankluis4653
    @frankluis4653 Před 7 lety +5

    The sun, moon and truth ; u can't hide

  • @MrGramatix
    @MrGramatix Před 8 lety +6

    Awesome man

  • @rjmiro
    @rjmiro Před 8 lety +2

    Wonderful

  • @johnwalter5875
    @johnwalter5875 Před 6 lety

    speechless

  • @bethfisher847
    @bethfisher847 Před 6 lety

    Blown away

  • @ShuyanStoryTeller
    @ShuyanStoryTeller Před 8 lety +1

    great speech.

  • @MICH3LL3MLIV3
    @MICH3LL3MLIV3 Před 7 lety

    love this

  • @nicolelynnbledsoe1140
    @nicolelynnbledsoe1140 Před 5 lety

    2019 ✨💕

  • @ashleykirkland6699
    @ashleykirkland6699 Před 6 lety

    Powerful

  • @naomigary7930
    @naomigary7930 Před 7 lety

    AMAZING

  • @yeevlauj4016
    @yeevlauj4016 Před 7 lety

    Amazing! 🙏

  • @aleeshasarr
    @aleeshasarr Před 7 lety +39

    Tall, dark...handsome...AND smart, what more can you ask for😂

  • @speakvisionspeak
    @speakvisionspeak Před 4 lety

    Phenomenal!!

  • @sadatimk758
    @sadatimk758 Před 7 lety

    Excellent talk congratulations

  • @yossi8911
    @yossi8911 Před rokem

    Listen to the “Yes!” At proximate: 4:15
    Says it all.

  • @prayingmantix2929
    @prayingmantix2929 Před 8 lety +1

    this is my thang...love of spoke poetry

  • @IvoirRienna
    @IvoirRienna Před 8 lety +237

    I vote Donavan Livingston for PRESIDENT...Trump out.

    • @IvoirRienna
      @IvoirRienna Před 7 lety +4

      LOL, another hater hahaha

    • @sateeva000
      @sateeva000 Před 7 lety

      Chucky Justice
      nigga I don't even know you..So..Yeah.go bully someone else

    • @Shenruss
      @Shenruss Před 7 lety +6

      Forget President of the US; make him President of BET! We could *gaurauntee* some worthwhile programming that speaks to Afro-Americans and actually does the job schools aren't!

    • @luism4165
      @luism4165 Před 5 lety +2

      Cassandra Gordon how was he a rapist?

  • @abousidi75
    @abousidi75 Před 8 lety +49

    Who suffers more: The hater or the one who is hated? It's so sad to see so many negative racist comment. Instead of commenting on THE SPEECH (which seems to be the main focus here), they see a color. Lol. I always wonder how hard it is to live a life like theirs. Constant stress, increase in blood pressure etc. Cannot watch sport (99% of teams have a colored person, unless we're talking hockey and a few others), cannot happily watch TV, travel to work, at work, shopping etc...everywhere at some point they cross a color person. So basically they hate almost EVERY SINGLE DAY of their life. Very unhealthy. And most of them will display a large smile when they talk to you, claim they're true religious people or simply never display any sign of hate unless it's behind a keyboard. HARD LIFE! May God (or who ever you believe in) help us all!

  • @franksangmor9375
    @franksangmor9375 Před 4 lety

    It has been great oo

  • @miabrady5556
    @miabrady5556 Před 3 lety

    Lovely.

  • @bhaynes8877
    @bhaynes8877 Před 6 lety +2

    As we crash into EVERYTHING!!!⭐️💫🌚💫 where is that damn finger snapping emoji🤬😩

  • @alexandria4401
    @alexandria4401 Před 6 lety +11

    Yessss black excellence

  • @maryniangasa2624
    @maryniangasa2624 Před 3 lety

    Yesss

  • @elijahjobmason4638
    @elijahjobmason4638 Před 8 lety +25

    Betta' go on head black man

  • @savedbychrist23
    @savedbychrist23 Před 4 lety

    Bravo !!!!

  • @darriellecburke
    @darriellecburke Před 7 lety +7

    That was fire

  • @oliviasmith8782
    @oliviasmith8782 Před 6 lety +7

    Pooch hall that you ?
    P.S. love this poem

  • @amk5427
    @amk5427 Před 7 lety

    Wohhh Beautiful Masterpiece

  • @maryniangasa2624
    @maryniangasa2624 Před 2 lety

    well done brother

  • @maryniangasa2624
    @maryniangasa2624 Před 3 lety

    Woooow

  • @hereb4youtube523
    @hereb4youtube523 Před 6 lety

    wow

  • @corinnaturner3320
    @corinnaturner3320 Před 6 lety

    Genius. ❤️

    • @Obabynation
      @Obabynation Před 4 lety

      Lloyd Gittens what’s the problem?

  • @rickyeagan
    @rickyeagan Před 3 lety

    I would pay money to be in this guys classroom

  • @cinecobafi8640
    @cinecobafi8640 Před 8 lety +190

    I thought that was Usher

    • @JENNYMAE32
      @JENNYMAE32 Před 7 lety +21

      CINE COBAFI
      I thought he was the guy from the show "the game"

    • @meloyonce8196
      @meloyonce8196 Před 7 lety +3

      Jennymae Joseph .. me too

    • @Stephen-xb1qb
      @Stephen-xb1qb Před 6 lety +1

      Me too 😂😂😂

    • @ToyToy008
      @ToyToy008 Před 5 lety

      Jennymae Joseph Lol Derwin... they do favor 😄😊

  • @estencohen380
    @estencohen380 Před 7 lety

    very nice

  • @aminahadcock603
    @aminahadcock603 Před 3 lety

    gone brother! yes indeed! we are constellations orbiting on the microcosmic level. yes young man! I satute you! thankyou for sharing your gift!

  • @KatTheArtist
    @KatTheArtist Před 4 lety

    💙💙💙

  • @suecarrigan4765
    @suecarrigan4765 Před 5 lety

    Wow now that's what you call the epitomy of genius. Lift of young man and fluorish

  • @mistyz2163
    @mistyz2163 Před 7 lety

    very Nice!! 💫

  • @nickgonzalez7619
    @nickgonzalez7619 Před 7 lety +23

    Jesus loves yall

    • @emlaughlin1855
      @emlaughlin1855 Před 7 lety +2

      comments like this make my day, thank you & god bless

  • @jamesleynardmunar4674
    @jamesleynardmunar4674 Před 5 lety

    Hope I will make a poem that surpasses these one

  • @girmamogus9887
    @girmamogus9887 Před 3 lety

    Sky is not the limit, just the beginning so lift off!

  • @samueldzombo4061
    @samueldzombo4061 Před 6 lety +2

    yes, education is no equalizer

  • @okeyojacob3498
    @okeyojacob3498 Před 5 lety

    Great lesson man..... FAST

  • @abbeyjones1203
    @abbeyjones1203 Před 8 lety +19

    I want him to be our president

  • @KhmerL0VEKhmer
    @KhmerL0VEKhmer Před 7 lety

  • @twilalove3886
    @twilalove3886 Před 5 lety

    I 💗 ❤️ 💝

  • @random8channel55
    @random8channel55 Před 4 lety

    Nice

  • @rosey5976
    @rosey5976 Před 3 lety

    Can someone please explain this?What is his message in this poem??

  • @89heatstroke48
    @89heatstroke48 Před 4 lety

    How does Livingston suggest his classmates challenge the injustices that attempt to keep them from their dreams?

  • @cwilson1300
    @cwilson1300 Před 5 lety

    wow. this is a profound and remarkable speech that would last for generations to come. Wll done livingston. In addition, he has the suriname of a white explorer who wrote the book Africa a dark continent. That's a ironic.

  • @S955US84
    @S955US84 Před 8 lety

    By way of preferential admission policies, the percentage of American college students who are Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, black, and American Indian/Alaska Native has been increasing. In 2013, the percentage of Hispanic students was 16 percent, Asian/Pacific Islander students - 6 percent, black students 15 percent, American Indian/Alaska Native 0.8 percent. That's almost 40% minorities.

  • @William_Clinton_Muguai

    I wonder what kind of singing vocals this guy would produce!

  • @axucaroso
    @axucaroso Před 8 lety +6

    build bridges not walls

  • @masibuleleyokwana7938
    @masibuleleyokwana7938 Před 8 lety

    eeeee this young man is ncwaaaaaaaa . do your thing boss

  • @zainabatiyah2397
    @zainabatiyah2397 Před 3 lety

    Can anyone tell me the message that he is trying to give

    • @shirley9209
      @shirley9209 Před rokem

      Whatever message he's giving is too long he lost me in the beginning.

  • @themilitaryscoop2148
    @themilitaryscoop2148 Před 3 lety +1

    Happy Black History Month!

  • @naquajagaines8199
    @naquajagaines8199 Před 4 lety

    we were not born to be commmon, but born to be comets

  • @onorato49
    @onorato49 Před 4 lety

    Looks like Cudi

  • @quickfixengineeringltd8035

    He rapping

  • @MrsQ-nc1jw
    @MrsQ-nc1jw Před 7 lety

    Just is not complete with Just 1

  • @benmayfian9396
    @benmayfian9396 Před 7 lety +4

    How does America have that in it's country but have THAT (Donald) as president

    • @billiepelusa
      @billiepelusa Před 5 lety

      I ask myself the same. I guess every country has its achievements to be proud and its shames...We have to fight for the first ones, because the strange thing and what
      we have to wonder about is why we are putting the worst shame in the power, and ignoring beautiful minds and souls like this. Not only happens in USA, unfortunately. But luckily, and as we see here, all of us can change it. We have to try. Good luck from the other side of the Atlantic, greetings from Spain (sorry for my English)

    • @ItumelengS
      @ItumelengS Před 5 lety

      @Lloyd Gittens are you a hater, are you mad

  • @Steface52
    @Steface52 Před 7 lety +1

    Yo dis coco speaks for Irish people so elequently. Dis buoy be educated!!! Now yu da man

  • @shirley9209
    @shirley9209 Před rokem

    The only reason they're wowing him him is because of the Harvard not because of that poem.

  • @CCK2736
    @CCK2736 Před 7 lety +3

    this is what happens when rappers go to harvard (,':0)

  • @ItsNotRealLife
    @ItsNotRealLife Před 6 lety

    oh offs its about slavery - AGAIN!

    • @harveymyers6052
      @harveymyers6052 Před 5 lety +1

      Wow that's what you believe it's about slavery. I GUESS Mr. Harvard real talk above your head.

  • @walterromanoff2953
    @walterromanoff2953 Před 4 lety

    You need to get saved and talk about Jesus
    You speak well now talking about nonsense

  • @acerigusacommunications1469

    as someone who loves spoken word and poetry in general and writes some himself i have to say that this is really well written but the content is just obnoxious. if he was just writing this for fun it might be cool but at this "commencement" i just think its inappropriate.

  • @Fengshawn86
    @Fengshawn86 Před 4 lety +1

    ... that is one of the most boring, shallow, and cliche spoken word poems I’ve ever heard. Full of vain meaning, and self-worship falsities... if he’s smart- he proves the opposite with his poem...