The Un-instagramable Self - Tara Westover Northeastern Commencement Speech 2019

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  • čas přidán 2. 05. 2019
  • For a transcript of the speech, click here:
    tarawestover.com/commencement

Komentáře • 75

  • @average_life
    @average_life Před rokem +46

    I lived a few miles from Tara's family. I am 10 years older than her. She was the same age as my youngest sibling. I was raised in a family of 11 kids, very similarly to Tara. Reading her book was on one hand, triggering. On the other, fulfilling. It took me a very long 35 years to "see" the truth and reality.
    We were born at home, ieven helped and watched the birth of a few. My mother tore horribly, and the naturpath attending her birth had to suture her- there in her bed, running hot towels from the oven to stop the bleeding and clean up. At 7 or 8 years old, I finally got a certificate of live birth. We never saw doctors, until I broke my back in a car accident. Even then, my treatment was through the local chiro/naturopath.
    We were in a constant state of fear, the government, the "2ndComing", our fathers wrath, mood swings, revelations and guidance from "God" that would bring changes and more severe circumstances.
    In a perpetual in a cycle of canning and storing food and protection in prep for "the End/ abomination." Severe narcissistic abuse, physically, emotionally, sexually. My family was very abusive and violent.
    It took until I was 35 to start fighting. I went NC, and left "the church". I do have contact with some now, with very strict boundaries and terms.
    We used only herbal homeopathic, alternative medicine. I received stitches on the kitchen table at 6 years old. I blacked out from the pain and can't remember it all. My dad almost cut his arm off at the shoulder, running a chainsaw. They put "herbal poultices" on it and prayed. Too many disasters and injuries to list.
    My mother and sisters still hold the Westover parents in very high regard- a respect and reverence usually reserved for God. They expanded their use and knowledge of EO and energy work under her mother.
    We were extremists, self sufficient, on alert after Ruby Ridge. We were allowed to attend school, but with lots of correction and input from my dad. No one was above suspicion.
    Should Tara read this- Thank you for your bravery, your beautiful insight and perspective. It has given me the rest of my freedom, a fresh perspective, understanding and peace.
    I hope that any others in these traumatizing situations find the bravery to seek out your own "truth", to get educated, and live the joyful life you deserve!

    • @joelmamdeoliveira4936
      @joelmamdeoliveira4936 Před 11 měsíci +2

      Thank you for sharing your history❤ You are also on the brave’s time.

    • @marthamcdowell5229
      @marthamcdowell5229 Před 5 měsíci +2

      Wow. Glad you’re where you’re at. I had no idea of this “world”.

    • @average_life
      @average_life Před 5 měsíci +2

      @marthamcdowell5229 Thank you, I am incredibly thankful as well! It was/is so common for the area (Idaho/ Utah). I am just so grateful to have a fighting spirit and married a very "sane", loving and supporting husband. I know so many still tormented by this "lifestyle", living abused. But I also see the younger generations bravely breaking these patterns and it gives me hope!💓

  • @Ella-dd3vz
    @Ella-dd3vz Před 3 lety +127

    i have trouble reading books (i take months, or i get bored and just forget about it) but when i accidentally read hers, i was able to finish it in 3 days. It was so engaging and articulate and sincere. Thank you Tara

    • @basslineur3965
      @basslineur3965 Před 2 lety +3

      Right? It has such clear language and has such an engaging story!

    • @toriii5583
      @toriii5583 Před rokem

      Me too! It was the first book I read in 2022

  • @bashasadoff6983
    @bashasadoff6983 Před 5 lety +240

    "everything of any significance that you will do in your life, will be done by your un-instagramable self"

  • @patrickraymond8023
    @patrickraymond8023 Před rokem +23

    Tara is so inspiration. Her audio book made me want to drive longer to keep listening to it. Can’t wait for what comes next. Like Mark Twain said, I am glad her schooling did not interfere with her education.

  • @Juneflower100
    @Juneflower100 Před 5 lety +190

    Your book touched my heart, but your singing touched my soul, Tara.

  • @taytaekh7947
    @taytaekh7947 Před 2 lety +11

    just finished reading her book and i became obsessed w her. it's probably one of the only few books that I've read that really touches me and my soul. can't thank her enough for that alone. thank you for being a light to this world.

  • @roscotolman2903
    @roscotolman2903 Před 3 lety +71

    I couldn't put your book down, and some of it brought tears to my eyes. I was also raised in a very small, totally Mormon town in Southeastern Idaho. I also earned a PhD--in Spanish from the University of Utah, and am no longer a member of the Mormon Church.

    • @basslineur3965
      @basslineur3965 Před 2 lety +5

      It sounds like you guys have a lot in common!

  • @madhurtrivedi8440
    @madhurtrivedi8440 Před 2 lety +13

    A giant of a woman in a diminutive frame. I just finished her book which is why I am here listening to her speech. She is an amazing and courageous writer, her story motivates and inspires, and I know I shall read it again and again. Plus, she sings like an angel…Bless you Tara!

  • @kellysmith798
    @kellysmith798 Před 4 lety +37

    Her voice is so beautiful it made me cry

  • @sakurachristineito6428
    @sakurachristineito6428 Před 4 lety +44

    She's wonderfully eloquent. Words just flow out of her mouth smoothly like high quality silk

  • @stanzinkhar405
    @stanzinkhar405 Před 3 lety +8

    I read her book and there she wrote how his father was proud of her singing in church and I was imagining that while I read .
    But now I truly understand the pride of her father .
    Truly mesmerizing..

  • @ACE-zo6st
    @ACE-zo6st Před 5 lety +86

    Fantastic speech-- most of our lives are un-instagramable moments. Lying on the hall floor comforting a child who's had a bad dream isn't glamorous... but it is Love, no matter how you, we, look.

  • @becomesuperhuman
    @becomesuperhuman Před 2 lety +4

    I just learned who Tara is, I had never heard her name before today. I've just watched four videos of her, this one being the second one where she sang at the end and I cried just as hard as I did listening to her sing the first time. I can't seem to get enough of her, she's incredible and the emotions that well up in me listening to her sing are more powerful than anything I can remember in the recent past. I'm so glad to have stumbled upon her book because that made me want to learn more about her. She seems wise beyond anything or anyone in the universe.

  • @star73191
    @star73191 Před 5 lety +78

    So honored to have been there and heard her speech.

  • @dsda3731
    @dsda3731 Před 5 lety +59

    I read this from Ms Westover’s website before I watched the video of her speech. She writes so wonderfully - her book Educated is evidence of that, of course - so it was a joy to read this thoughtful speech.
    Thank you to Northeastern for uploading the video.

  • @kishanchali8752
    @kishanchali8752 Před 4 lety +9

    I happened to read about her through a Facebook thread and checked her details. She's a living example of how resilient one can be in the face of adversities and overcome all those odds to achieve great things.
    May you have all the strength to influence those who are struggling to win a life.

  • @user-rf2qd4pv9x
    @user-rf2qd4pv9x Před rokem +1

    I regret not being able to learn English now. I read Tara Westover's book: "Student Girl" translated into Kyrgyz. It is very interesting and impressively written, a very talented girl. Greetings from Kyrgyzstan

  • @marilyn1228
    @marilyn1228 Před 3 lety +17

    What an incredibly inspiring, thoughtful, talented human being.

  • @joelmartin6726
    @joelmartin6726 Před 5 měsíci +1

    Just stunning. Amazing woman, person. Woman of steel. You deserve the best life.

  • @Andy-ty2ni
    @Andy-ty2ni Před 5 lety +38

    I am reading your book now....such a gift for emotionally descriptive prose...such a heartbreaking and trying life story....so compelling...thank you Tara!

    • @jessicahurley7219
      @jessicahurley7219 Před 4 lety +1

      Me too still reading but had to look her up to learn more...too bad this video stopped before she sang...

  • @wpciuo2758
    @wpciuo2758 Před 5 lety +22

    How great Thou art! Wonderful song!!

  • @stephenhannon2304
    @stephenhannon2304 Před 5 lety +18

    Thank you for this gift. Along with a graduate's, Alexander Duffy's, 91 year-old grandmother in North Carolina, we were watching the Northeastern's graduation from California. We are so moved by hearing Tara Westover sing and speak. The singing was beyond mortal word description. It felt like an angel's music. Thank you for sharing this so we could experience this gift.

  • @songyuxin5498
    @songyuxin5498 Před rokem

    She is definitely a mentor! I love thé she said no one is always perfect and it also segregate from the way you assume yourself are ! Thank you ! Well done

  • @yoyowu4015
    @yoyowu4015 Před 2 lety +4

    Loved the book, and her voice makes me cry ❤️ thanks for the best book and this incredible speech

  • @SunSnowGravity
    @SunSnowGravity Před 3 lety +2

    I love to see her go back to childhood and reach than beautiful side she still keeps. Making peace with oneself without losing parts of you on the way is a big achievement.

  • @JessieLinneRuiz
    @JessieLinneRuiz Před 2 lety +5

    Beautiful voice. ❤️

  • @lilliancooley967
    @lilliancooley967 Před 2 lety +2

    Tara you’re amazing! Love you! God bless....

  • @stevemartin7096
    @stevemartin7096 Před 4 lety +18

    Perhaps an album of songs would be a project Tara would undertake. She sings in as captivating a way as she writes.

  • @barbarawise4373
    @barbarawise4373 Před 5 lety +15

    Wow. Powerful words.

  • @ratnasusanti9957
    @ratnasusanti9957 Před 3 lety +1

    Beautiful speech. Thank you Tara

  • @Clearbluesky771
    @Clearbluesky771 Před 4 lety +20

    Wow breathtaking singing voice

  • @violetthadi6115
    @violetthadi6115 Před 4 lety +3

    Tara, you are a miracle. This speech just took my breath away.

  • @jonm1209
    @jonm1209 Před 4 měsíci

    You can just sense how genuine Tara is.

  • @smt2635
    @smt2635 Před 3 lety +2

    I love Tara Westover so much🥰🥰

  • @B_-_t_-_-_-_
    @B_-_t_-_-_-_ Před 5 lety +18

    A good message. In a similar vein, my instagram profile says: "My identity presently has no seat like a loser at musical chairs. I inhabit society's negative space in absolute & relative superposition. I AM, human". Thereafter the photos use the filters only to draw out the beauty I see in the everyday world around me rather than attempting to project any image of myself. The dark place is the place of creation, where you come to understand who you are, and where you build the courage and resources to become who you authentically need to be.

  • @KHUZAFARAUF
    @KHUZAFARAUF Před 2 lety

    Just finished “Educated” , my God she is an inspiration.

  • @EMERALDJAYNE
    @EMERALDJAYNE Před 5 lety +25

    I love this speech so much

    • @helencampbell3291
      @helencampbell3291 Před 4 lety

      You’re kidding right
      This is one of stupidest pointless speeches I’ve ever heard
      She sure took herself seriously
      Oh well

    • @sugarbaby1954
      @sugarbaby1954 Před 4 lety +11

      @@helencampbell3291 Do you know or have you read anything about Tara? She is the equivalent of Nell, in the movie starring Jody Foster as Nell. She is an amazing person, she has accomplished so much in her short life. I say short because she had no real life before she got away from her family. She has graduated from Brigham Young college, and went on to Harvard and Cambridge, wrote a #1 best selling book "Educated" now Tara is helping others. All this with never having gone to grade school or high school, never even allowed to talk to anyone.
      Helen, what are you so afraid and angry about? You may not have graduated an ivy league college, but you matter just as much as Tara or anyone else does. I hope you know, and believe that.
      May the Lord bless and keep you safe.

  • @nicoleporter9332
    @nicoleporter9332 Před 3 lety +1

    Her singing was simply beautiful

  • @chriscarr003
    @chriscarr003 Před 5 lety +1

    Congratz everyone!

  • @raoulmiller4340
    @raoulmiller4340 Před 4 lety +2

    So talented.

  • @christopherrichardbass-bar5727

    Impressive speech; beautiful singing voice.

  • @joelmamdeoliveira4936
    @joelmamdeoliveira4936 Před 11 měsíci

    So true 🎉🎉🎉🎉 I just loved the sincerity of this speech

  • @sarahchoi2657
    @sarahchoi2657 Před 4 lety +29

    Tbh I was expecting cringey singing but her voice is beautiful

  • @snx5052
    @snx5052 Před 5 lety

    My dream Northestern
    Love u❤

  • @denisewilkes7486
    @denisewilkes7486 Před 4 lety +2

    Beautiful

  • @twinkling0523
    @twinkling0523 Před 2 lety +1

    Hello. I don't know where to contact, so I leave it here. I was greatly inspired by this author's books and this video. I want to upload on CZcams with Korean subtitles so that more people can see it, but do I have to get permission to use the video? If anyone knows, please leave a comment below.

  • @Nothingisfinal
    @Nothingisfinal Před 3 lety

    Didn't have the luck to see her in-person, I graduated in 2017...

  • @lynnelizabeth9343
    @lynnelizabeth9343 Před 4 lety +6

    Love this truth...

  • @rosecucunato3900
    @rosecucunato3900 Před 3 lety +1

    I think she is amazing

  • @franniebabe
    @franniebabe Před 5 lety +33

    From the way you sing, i can sense that God’s Spirit is in you regardless of your beliefs 👏🏽

    • @ladyg.789
      @ladyg.789 Před 5 lety +5

      I agree and felt the same thing Franniebabe. She sang with too much passion. She thinks that's her childhood she is connecting with, it's the Holy Spirit. Wonderful speech, I passed her words on and video to my FB page.

    • @toyconnoisseur4948
      @toyconnoisseur4948 Před 4 lety +8

      You demean and disregard her experiences and opinions by laying on top your own biases.
      You have no claim to suggest it is the holy spirit, whatsoever

  • @karinscott8069
    @karinscott8069 Před 4 lety +1

    Really beautiful voice though.

  • @dazhou2008
    @dazhou2008 Před 4 lety

    Thanks to my un-instagramable self. HB: XCCVLRR3JFML7YP2

  • @gamerankyer1960
    @gamerankyer1960 Před 3 lety +1

    Woah i wish i was there :< jk lol

  • @gamerankyer1960
    @gamerankyer1960 Před 3 lety

    Whatt am only 8 my mom put this show

  • @othnielakaveka8498
    @othnielakaveka8498 Před rokem

    🦆

  • @annsmith7207
    @annsmith7207 Před 3 lety +6

    I wonder how much educational debt she is carrying? Her education could not have all been on scholarship - she can pay it off now with the proceeds of her book - similar to President Obama ---who finally paid off all of his loans when his first book was published....decades and decades later! The educational system in the US has to change - and not saddling 21 year old kids with huge student loan debt ought to be a top priority!

  • @karinscott8069
    @karinscott8069 Před 4 lety

    Why didn't you call the cops on Travis. He has 7 kids now. Are they in danger? Is his wife even alive?

  • @karinscott8069
    @karinscott8069 Před 4 lety +3

    Attempted murder on "Erin" plus yourself. Witnessed by "Erin's" grandfather who stopped it. Why no cops? And, I saw the pic of your father from 2009. He still has his ears and lips. He looked fine. He was an asshole, yes, but that horrific explosion was a lie. No human can withstand that without dying. The body goes into shock, the blood pressure spikes, and everything shuts down. Why did you write that?