Lady Gaga gave the class of 2020 an incredibly powerful and motivational seven-minute speech on Sunday.
The Chromatica singer spoke about the importance of kindness when trying to make changes for the good of the world.
The 34-year-old began by revealing she had completely changed her speech following the death of George Floyd and the continual racial injustices the black community faces daily.
Motivational: Lady Gaga has encouraged kindness and love when speaking to the class of 2020 in their virtual graduation speech on Sunday
‘My speech at the time reflected and referenced the shared experience of the Covid-19 global pandemic that has devastated the world this year and how important it is to be a force of kindness in the world as you take the next step forward in your promising lives,’ she began.
‘I wish to tell you today, although there is much to be sad about, there is also much to be celebrated.’
Gaga went on to say that her speech change forced her to examine how she felt about racism in the United States and how to relate it back to the graduating class.
Not all sadness: ‘I wish to tell you today, although there is much to be sad about, there is also much to be celebrated’
‘When I looked past the rage that I feel about the systemic oppression and physical and emotional violence that has tortured the black community endlessly, my mind turned to nature.
‘When i think about racism in America, I think about a broad forest filled densely with tall trees. Trees as old as this country itself. Trees that were planted with racist seeds. Trees that grew prejudices branches, and oppressive leaves, and mangled roots that buried and entrenched themselves deep within the soil, forming a web so well developed and so entangled that pushes back when we try to look clearly at how it really works.’
The Stupid Love singer continued her analogy by explaining the ‘forest is where we live, who we are and our morals and value systems.’
‘I make this analogue between racism and nature in this country because it’s as pervasive and as real as nature.’
Wise words: ‘I encourage you to be kind. I do this to set the example I wish to with the tremendous privilege I have in giving you this commencement speech today’
Gaga continued to explain it was everyone watching who would be changing the path of the seeds and helping the forest grow into an accepting and loving world.
Sharing how to make the change, she said it came down to; ‘time, sufficient effort and divine grace.’
The Academy Award winner later put her complete faith in the class of 2020, telling them, ‘you can do hard things.’
‘You can rip up and replant the forest to be a vision only you have. Sometimes being kind is hard.’
‘I encourage you to be kind. I do this to set the example I wish to with the tremendous privilege I have in giving you this commencement speech today.’
Faith: The Academy Award winner later put her complete faith in the class of 2020, telling them, ‘you can do hard things’
She continued: ‘When I include that bit about kindness, that’s me making sure during this moment between us that I am equipped with our morals, values and principles for a very important topic.’
Gaga ended the speech by encouraging the graduates to continue to talk while also listening to others to ensure learning never stops.
‘Congratulations to the class of 2020. I can’t wait to see your forest.’
The singer has spent the past few days continuing to stand up and support the black community, something which she has always done.
Following the death of George Floyd, she penned a heartfelt post about wanting to be part of a solution.
‘I have a lot of things to say about this, but the first thing I want to say is I’m afraid to say anything that will incite further anger, although that is precisely the emotion that is justified.’
Powerful: The singer has spent the past few days continuing to stand up and support the black community, something which she has always done
‘I do not wish to contribute to more violence, I wish to contribute to a solution.’
Gaga ended the lengthy post by once again encouraging love and kindness all over the world.
‘I urge people to speak gently to each other, speak with passion, inspiration and impress the importance of this issue until the systems that keep us sick die, instead of people we love.’
‘We MUST show our love for the black community. As a white, privileged woman, I take an oath to stand by that. We haven;t as a privileged community, done enough to fight racism and stand up for the people that are being killed by it.’
She ended with: ‘This isn’t justice. This is an epic tragedy that defines our country and has for a long time. I am sad. I am angry. And I will use the words that I can find to try to communicate what needs to change in an effective and non-violent way as possible for me.’
Nothing but love: Gaga ended the lengthy post by once again encouraging love and kindness all over the world