Meghan Markle "Felt Compelled to Directly Address" the Death of George Floyd In Her Graduation Speech
Earlier this week, Meghan Markle gave a powerful speech about racism, activism, and the death of George Floyd during a virtual commencement ceremony for her former high school, Immaculate Heart in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.
It is understood that while the Duchess was excited to take part in the ceremony, which she'd planned to do for some time, after this week, she felt she couldn't speak to the graduating class without addressing current events, including the widespread protests sparked by the death of George Floyd and the history of racism in the United States.
"She had planned to share a heartfelt congratulations to the class of 2020, who have worked so hard over the past four years, by sharing some words of support, encouragement, and offering some memories of her own time at the school," a spokesperson for the Sussexes tells Town & Country.
"However, in the video message she shared, she felt compelled to directly address and speak to these young women about what’s happening in this country right now around the killing of George Floyd -- as well as what’s been happening over many, many years and many, many generations to countless other black Americans."
The Duchess started her speech explainer her hesitancy to speak out, and why she ultimately shifted her perspective.
"As we’ve all seen over the last week, what is happening in our country and in our state and in our hometown of LA, has been absolutely devastating. And I wasn’t sure what I could say to you," Meghan said.
"I wanted to say the right thing and I was really nervous that I wouldn’t, or that it would get picked apart, and I realized the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing. Because George Floyd’s life mattered and Breonna Taylor’s life mattered and Philando Castile’s life mattered and Tamir Rice’s life mattered."
She also shared her memories of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, and she spoke about Black Lives Matter, calling for the students to "channel" their education into progress.
"Now all of that work gets activated. Now you get to be part of rebuilding, and I know sometimes people say ‘How many times do we need to rebuild?’ Well you know, we’re going to rebuild and rebuild and rebuild until it is rebuilt. Because when the foundation is broken, so are we," she said.
"You are going to have empathy for those who don’t see the world through the same lens that you do, because with as diverse and vibrant and open minded as I know the teachings at Immaculate Heart are, I know you know that Black lives matter."
Watch her speech in its entirety above or read the full transcript, here.
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