Just a day after delivering an emotionally charged commencement speech at Harvard University, Yurong “Luanna” Jiang found herself greeted by classmates eager to echo her powerful message: the importance of recognizing our shared humanity instead of vilifying those who differ from us. Her words resonated deeply, inspiring applause and reflection among her peers.
“We’re starting to believe that those who think differently, vote differently or pray differently whether they’re across the ocean or sitting right next to us are not just wrong,” Jiang told The Associated Press. “We mistakenly see them as evil. But it doesn’t have to be this way.” Her address, emphasizing unity and empathy in divisive times, struck a chord with many, highlighting that “humanity rises and falls as one.”
The 25-year-old graduate, originally from China, earned a master’s degree in public administration in international development. Her speech never explicitly referenced the political upheaval surrounding Harvard, but her concerns were clearly rooted in the turbulence beyond campus. The turmoil, fueled by the Trump administration’s aggressive stance toward the university, has cast a shadow over her future plans and those of her classmates.
“Students are very emotionally charged because they care deeply about these issues,” Jiang explained. “When you’re emotionally activated, it’s very easy to demonize others.” She expressed unease over the administration’s actions, which include cancelling billions in federal research grants, threatening Harvard’s international student enrollment, and even suspending visa applications worldwide. These measures have created a climate of profound uncertainty for students like Jiang, many of whom are international and come from China, a country with one of the highest numbers of Harvard students.
“Everything feels up in the air right now,” Jiang said. She had hoped to stay in the United States for a few more years but is now contemplating working abroad in international development. The volatile political landscape has made her plans uncertain, her future seemingly more unpredictable than ever.
The administration’s latest moves cancelling over $100 million in federal contracts, threatening Harvard’s tax-exempt status, and restricting visas have left international students in limbo. Jiang knows firsthand the anxiety gripping her peers. She mentions two Chinese students contemplating whether to travel to Kenya and Rwanda for internships focused on poverty alleviation and public health. These students are torn between the desire to help and the risk of being unable to return to campus safely.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Jiang said softly. “They want to help humanity, and to see them caught in political conflicts they didn’t choose is truly difficult.” Her words underscore a broader story of hopes dashed by political strife, a poignant reminder of how global tensions ripple into the lives of young scholars committed to making a difference.
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