Global Courant 2023-05-26 11:22:41
Actor Tom Hanks was the keynote speaker at Harvard University on Thursday, where he urged more than 9,000 members of the Class of 2023 to fight for the truth and stand against those who oppose it.
Speaking to the school’s newest graduates at Harvard Yard’s Tercentenary Theater, Hanks said society has changed the way it views the truth, claiming that some people no longer see its value.
“Every day, every year, and for every graduating class there is a choice to be made, the same choice all adults must make: to be one of three types of Americans: those who embrace freedom for all, those who won’t, or those who are indifferent,” Hanks said.
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He added, “Only the former do the work of creating a more perfect union.”
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Actor Tom Hanks delivers a commencement speech at Harvard University’s commencement exercises on the school’s campus, Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
The two-time Academy Award winner peppered his speech with a number of references to superheroes – the genre of which has become dominant in Hollywood – to suggest that it’s up to ordinary people to act extraordinary.
“We’re all in a cage match, mixed martial arts battle royale with agents of intolerance and braying incompetence, the malevolent equals to Imperial stormtroopers, Lex Luther and Loki. And we could use a superhero right now,” Hanks said, the Harvard Gazette reported.
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“There is no Superman nor anyone else in his Justice League,” he added. “In the never-ending battle, you are all officially members from today, the difference is in how sincerely you believe, in how loudly you promote, in how firmly you hold on to the truth that is self-evident: that of course we are all equal but yet made differently, and of course we’re all in this together.”
Hanks said the battle for the truth was “not fair” but encouraged graduates to “don’t get embittered by this fact”.
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“We can all complain about The Man, and we all have debts to pay, and we all deserve a day off to hang out. But the work that is needed is the construction of our ‘more perfect union’ “That job will never, ever be completed, a job that requires meticulous attention and undiminished resources and all hands,” he said, according to the Gazette. The work is to keep the promises of our promised land, practice decency, protect liberty, and promote liberty for all without exception. That takes a lot of work every day on multiple job sites, and you can call them all a fight for truth, justice and the American way.”
Actor Tom Hanks delivers a commencement speech at Harvard University’s commencement exercises on the school’s campus, Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Actor Tom Hanks examines a ball as part of a spoof during Harvard University’s commencement exercises on the school’s campus, Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Hanks, who received an honorary doctorate in arts from the school, also said that some people in public office use the truth as a malleable medium.
“For some, the truth is no longer empirical. It is no longer based on data, nor common sense, nor even common decency,” said the iconic actor. “Telling the truth is no longer the benchmark of public service. It is no longer the salve to our fears, or the guide to our actions. Truth is now considered malleable, through opinions and through zero-sum endgames.”
And: “The responsibility is yours. Ours. The effort is optional. But the truth, the truth is sacred. Immutable. Carved into the stone and foundation of our republic.”
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In his remarks, Hanks also referenced fictional Harvard professor Robert Langdon, whom he portrayed in three films in the series “The Da Vinci Code.”
Hanks said, “Now, without having done a lick of work, without spending any time in class, without ever walking into that library — to have anything to do with Harvard’s graduating class, the faculty, or the distinguished alumni – I make a damn good living playing someone who did,”
Harvard University graduating students celebrate their degrees in public policy at Harvard’s commencement ceremonies, Thursday, May 25, 2023, on the school’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Actor Tom Hanks delivers a commencement speech at Harvard University’s commencement exercises on the school’s campus, Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Hanks starred in three movies based on Dan Brown’s books: “The Da Vinci Code,” “Angels & Demons,” and “Inferno.”
On a lighter note, the actor referred to the Bible and ended his speech: “May goodness and mercy follow you all the days. All the days of your life. Godspeed.”
Harvard president Larry Bacow also attended the commencement. It was his last before he stepped down at the end of June. He was president of the school for five years.
“I’ve never met anyone who thinks the world we live in is perfect,” said Bacow, receiving a standing ovation following his comments. “This statement is equally true for liberals and conservatives, for Democrats and Republicans, and for people across the political spectrum. So if you believe this world is imperfect, it can only get better if good people like you work to fix it . This is now your responsibility.”
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Claudine Gay, currently Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, will become the next chairperson on 1 July.
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
