Meghan Markle delivers empowering speech to 40,000 young people
'This is a humanity that desperately needs you'
by
Lauren Ramesbottom
July 14, 2020 4:26 p.m. EST
July 16, 2020 7:26 a.m. EST
Meghan Markle is many things — a duchess, a former actress, an activist, philanthropist and, at times like these, an incredibly powerful public speaker. In a keynote speech for the Girl Up Leadership Summit, Markle extended her heartfelt wisdom to a group of more than 40,000 attendees. Her speech, delivered over a webcam from her Los Angeles home, urged young women to build each other up, use their voices, and chase their convictions with action. The Girl Up Leadership Summit is a 3-day United Nations Foundation event connecting keynote speakers, such as Markle and Michelle Obama, to young women across 172 countries. Markle’s speech was unscripted (according to sources) and addressed topics such as gender equality, racism, leadership, activism, the importance of building positive digital communities, and so much more. Delving into the discussion of digital responsibility and empowerment, Markle explained, “Your generation is often referred to as digital natives, and you understand that our online world has the power to affirm and support as much as it does to harm. We are not meant to be breaking each other down; we are meant to be building each other up,” she said. “So use your voice both on-and-offline to do just that – build each other up, support each other.” This is an especially important sentiment coming from Markle who has, over the years, grappled with unrelenting (and sometimes cruel) media interest and public opinion which, oftentimes, triggered an influx of negative digital commentary. Continuing on, Markle told her audience, “Your voices are those of truth. And hope. And your voices can and should be much louder.” She also noted that there ‘will always be negative voices,’ and young women should use their own voices to drown out that noise. “Because that’s what it is — just noise,” she finished. Markle also shifted topics to address current global events, including the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement, and commended the younger generation for their efforts in mobilizing initiatives and advocating for meaningful change. “You are creating films to encourage your peers to become activist leaders, you are reforming the criminal justice system, you are telling your school boards we need more mental health resources for all ages, you are leading coalitions to end gun violence,” she began. “You are standing up and demanding to be heard, yes, but you’re also demanding to own the conversation.” [video_embed id='1992789']Meghan Markle stands up for her friends' 'basic right to privacy'[/video_embed] In a rallying moment, Markle also told attendees, “This is a humanity that desperately needs you. To push it, to push us, forcefully in a more inclusive, more just, and more empathetic direction. To not only frame the debate, but be in charge of the debate—on racial justice, gender, climate change, mental health and wellbeing, on civic engagement, on public service, on so much more. That’s the work you’re already out there doing.” Markle went on to note that believing in true equality is not enough, it requires consistent work across global communities — even when it makes others feel uneasy. After all, the status quo is hard to break, "but it will pull tightest before snapping." The awareness and momentum generated over the past month is an important step in the right direction, but it’s still only a step within much a larger journey. Fortunately, Markle noted, “young women have an incredible power to create change.”
“The status Quo is hard to break, but it will pull tightest before snapping...
I will be cheering you on, so will my husband and so wil Archie”
At the end of her empowering talk, Markle left attendees with a final, resounding message. “If you look at the breadth of the issues we’re facing right now, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, I understand. So be where you are in the moment. The growth and change you’re pursuing might not feel like anything day-to-day, but when you look back, I promise you’ll see it all adds up.” Adding, "I will be cheering you on, so will my husband... so will Archie, as you all continue marching, advocating, and leading the way forward."[video_embed id='1994885']BEFORE YOU GO: Viola Davis says her 'entire life has been a protest'[/video_embed]
