*Beyoncé shared an inspiring commencement address for graduating seniors as part of YouTube’s “Dear Class of 2020” event on Sunday.
“You have arrived here in the middle of a global crisis, a racial pandemic and worldwide expression of outrage at the senseless killing of yet another unarmed black human being. And you still made it. We’re so proud of you,” she said, per PEOPLE.
“Thank you for using your collective voice and letting the world know that black lives matter,” Bey continued. “The killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many others have left us all broken. It has left the entire country searching for answers. We’ve seen that our collective hearts when put to positive action can start the wheels of change. Real change has started with you.”
Beyoncé also got personal while noting the challenges of stepping outside your comfort zone.
“There was a pivotal turning point in my life where I chose to build my own company many years ago,” she said of her company Parkwood Entertainment. “Not enough black women had a seat at the table, so I had to go and chop down that wood and build my own table. Then I had to invite the best there was to have a seat. That meant hiring women, men, outsiders, underdogs, people that were overlooked and waiting to be seen.”
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“One of the main purposes of my art for many years has been dedicated to showing the beauty of black people to the world. Our history, our profundity, and the value of black lives,” she continued. I’ve tried my best to pull down the veil of appeasement to those who may feel uncomfortable with our excellence.”
She went on to encourage graduates to go out into the world and live their truth.
“To all those who feel different if you’re a part of a group that’s called other, a group that does not get the chance to be center stage, build your own stage and make them see you. Your queerness is beautiful, your blackness is beautiful,” she said.
“If you’ve ever been called dumb, unattractive, overweight, unworthy, untalented, well so have I,” she said. “Yes, I’ve been blessed to have 24 Grammys, but I’ve lost 46 times. That meant rejection 46 times. Please don’t ever feel entitled to win, just keep working harder.”
She also reminded the class of 2020 that “every word you speak is powerful…look what you’ve been able to do in the last 14 days.”
“Whatever the world looks like in 10 years, in 20 years, part of that is up to you. I urge you to let this current moment push you to improve yourself in all areas of your life,” she said.
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