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Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day - Literature - Nairaland

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Chimamanda Adichie Was A Guest Speaker At Yale Law School 2022 Commencement / Chimamanda Adichie Awarded Doctor Of Letters, Honoris Causa By Yale University / Chimamanda Adichie Delivers Harvard Class Speech: Becomes The First African (2) (3) (4)

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Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by manchy7531: 3:35am On May 21, 2019
Chimamanda makes history as first African to speak at Yale’s Class Day

Celebrated writer and speaker, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has become the first African to deliver the Class Day Speech of the Yale College at New Haven, Connecticut. The event which held Sunday, May 19, on the eve of Yale’s 318th Commencement, was a celebration of the graduating Yale College class.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie delivers Class Day address at Yale University A tradition that dates as far back as the 19th century, Class Day includes student reflections on their four years at Yale, the awarding of undergraduate prizes for academic, artistic, athletic, and community accomplishments, and an address delivered by a prominent figure chosen by the students. In 2018, the Class Day speech was delivered by former US First Lady, Hillary Clinton.

Chimamanda joins an exclusive list of Yale Class Day speakers which include former Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden; Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair; Renowned Television Journalist, Barbara Walters, Oscar winning actor, Tom Hanks; and many more.
In announcing her selection as speaker, the Class Day 2019 Planning Committee described Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as “an inspiring global citizen whose words, teaching, and social activism have had an indelible impact on the diaspora and broader contemporary culture.” An alumna of Yale herself, Adichie received her master of arts in African studies from the school in 2008. “I remember the many clever undergrads I met while at Yale and it’s an honor to know that a class of similarly clever students chose me to speak to them.” Adichie said in an earlier statement.

In her insightful speech which was filled with humour and interesting stories, the writer shared some career and life advice, touching on beliefs, journalism, leadership and more. She encouraged the graduates to be open to experiencing the world in a way that is different from their idealised belief and find a way to marry idealism and pragmatism because there are complicated shades of grey everywhere. “Be open to changing your mind. It is often a sign of growth. Be open to the possibility that you might be wrong.

Ideology is a good thing but if you find that you yield unquestioningly to every orthodoxy of the ideology you subscribe to, then maybe it is time for some agility in your thinking.” In speaking about corporate leadership, she also encouraged the 2019 class to transform corporate traditions, “If you’re one day enrobed in corporate power, please hire women as executives and not just in human relations.

Change corporate culture. Have an on-site day-care. Make paid family leave standard and ordinary.” She tells the students. In usual Adichie-fashion, the Americanah writer did not hold back on speaking truth to power. She spoke courageously on the increase in gun violence in America, touched on America’s controversial new law on abortion and racism.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/05/chimamanda-makes-history-as-first-african-to-speak-at-yales-class-day/

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Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Gisters: 4:47am On May 21, 2019
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1 Like 1 Share

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by bot101(m): 5:56am On May 21, 2019
Class speaks...class commands!!!

28 Likes 1 Share

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Cutefergieee: 6:39am On May 21, 2019
Ok
Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by sunnyanet(m): 6:39am On May 21, 2019
Good for her
Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by cardoctor(m): 6:40am On May 21, 2019
Good

1 Like

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Benblaq(m): 6:40am On May 21, 2019
NCAN them never wake. Congrats miss Chi.

9 Likes

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by IFEOLUWAKRIZ: 6:40am On May 21, 2019
My fellow Nairalanders, I will be the second Nigerian to win Nobel laureate in literature. smiley

23 Likes 1 Share

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by MANNABBQGRILLS: 6:40am On May 21, 2019
IFEOLUWAKRIZ:
My fellow Nairalanders, I will be the second Nigeria to win Noble Laureate in literature. smiley
We BELIEVE you.
All the very best in your quest.

Rule 2 in life : Do not laugh at anyone's dream.

olaBC007:

Tell me rule no1

Rule 1 : Believe in what you do and do what you believe in.

Grand Rule before Rule 1 : GOD FIRST!!

46 Likes 6 Shares

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by tellwisdom: 6:41am On May 21, 2019
Big deal?? Why una de hype these people like say Dem de do anything special. Na angels de Yale??
First African?? We are still embeded in the claws of our slave masters

13 Likes

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by stan4guy6(m): 6:41am On May 21, 2019
I hate all this first African this first African than it makes us look very inferior

42 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by MANNABBQGRILLS: 6:41am On May 21, 2019
Congrats BEAUTIFUL woman.

3 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Saintblog(m): 6:42am On May 21, 2019
IGBO AMAKA O.O.O
Where's the red stew and kpomo eaters

5 Likes

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by IFEOLUWAKRIZ: 6:42am On May 21, 2019
post=78574471:

We BELIEVE you.
All the very best in your quest.

Rule 2 in life : Do not laugh at anyone's dream.

Thank you very much.

11 Likes 1 Share

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by christopher123(m): 6:43am On May 21, 2019
Igbo again....what is wrong with these people ? First this and that everytime they would be first

Why can't we give them the country to rule ! Look at the way they built their cities to amazement of others

6 Likes

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by ishawlar: 6:45am On May 21, 2019
God this is the lagacy i want 4my children. I dont want be eruku and olosho. Answer my prayers father. Ma'am congrats record breaker

3 Likes

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by MANNABBQGRILLS: 6:46am On May 21, 2019
IFEOLUWAKRIZ:


Thank you very much.
You are ALWAYS welcome.
Go and Shine.

10 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Grupo(m): 6:46am On May 21, 2019
stan4guy6:
I hate all this first African this first African than it makes us look very inferior

Isn't the black man inferior or you just want to comfort yourself.

4 Likes

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Nathan2016: 6:46am On May 21, 2019
stan4guy6:
I hate all this first African this first African than it makes us look very inferior

Are we not inferior to the westerners?

7 Likes

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Grupo(m): 6:48am On May 21, 2019
ishawlar:
God this is the lagacy i want 4my children. I dont want be eruku and olosho. Answer my prayers father. Ma'am congrats record breaker

Can't you do it yourself? Why your children? Have you written yourself off already?
Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Apination(m): 6:49am On May 21, 2019
She didn't fail to disappoint with her misguided feminist agenda most especially on abortion undecided
Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Jude4Jesus: 6:49am On May 21, 2019
Nice one from another distinguished Nigerian

2 Likes

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Emperor002: 6:49am On May 21, 2019
igbos always setting gud records while odas dey look

5 Likes

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Chinashopping84: 6:50am On May 21, 2019
Great feat girl...more to come dear.coingrats

1 Like

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by omoluka: 6:50am On May 21, 2019
stan4guy6:
I hate all this first African this first African than it makes us look very inferior
You are not alone bro
Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Trunaijian: 6:55am On May 21, 2019
Congratulations to her and Africa.

However, I find it appalling that all these years no AFRICAN has been given such honour even with all the accomplishments by Africans in diaspora especially the US.
Tells you a lot. We are still a ‘lower’ race as considered by the White elites.
Sad but true.

1 Like

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by Galaticos444: 6:56am On May 21, 2019
Igbo leads, others follow

2 Likes

Re: Chimamanda Becomes First African To Speak At Yale’s Class Day by RTSC: 6:58am On May 21, 2019
She is also the first African to speak at Harvard class day.

I hope she wins the Nobel one day.

7 Likes

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