Finding Our Shared Humanity: A Graduation Message for Our Time

Sometimes the most profound truths emerge from the most ordinary moments. Like when Harvard graduate student Luanna Jiang received a frantic call from classmates in Tanzania struggling with a washing machine—its Chinese labels cryptically translated as "Spinning Ghost Mode." That moment of international collaboration over laundry became the heart of Jiang's recent Harvard commencement address, "Our Humanity," a message that resonates far beyond graduation ceremonies.

In our current climate of division and discord, her words offer a roadmap for connection that every graduate—and every global citizen—needs to hear. What I love most about her message is how it cuts through the noise, offering us not just wisdom, but clear, actionable steps for building a more connected world.

Inspired by Jiang's powerful message, here's my take on a few things we can all stop, start, and keep doing to find our shared humanity.

STOP:

Stop retreating into your echo chamber and dismissing differing viewpoints. It's comfortable to surround ourselves only with those who agree with us. But true growth and understanding happen when we step outside the familiar. Jiang reminds us that the world often encourages us to stay in our comfort zones, but real transformation begins when we resist that urge and open ourselves to new perspectives.

Stop weaponizing differences or disagreements. In an era where differences can feel stark, it's easy to let varying beliefs lead to seeing "the other" as inherently wrong or even evil. But Jiang’s powerful examples—"If a girl skips school out of fear of harassment, that threatens my dignity. If a little boy dies in a war that he didn't start and never understood, part of me dies with him"—underscore a profound truth: individual suffering, no matter its origin, diminishes us all. Our shared humanity binds us, even when our beliefs diverge.

Stop believing solutions come from isolation. From climate change to social justice, the challenges we face are too big for any one person or group to solve alone. True progress emerges not from going it alone, but from the messy, uncomfortable work of building bridges.

START:

Start actively seeking our shared humanity. The world may feel stuck in "Spinning Ghost Mode" right now, but the solution isn't found in any manual or textbook. As Jiang beautifully put it, "What I've gained most from Harvard isn't just calculus and regression analysis. It's to sit with discomfort, listen deeply, and stay soft in hard times." This means having the courage to lean into those challenging moments—to pick up the phone and ask for help from someone who sees things differently, knowing that's where true learning and connection begin.

Start listening deeply. It's not about political correctness or false unity. It's about recognizing that the person whose beliefs make us uncomfortable might still have something profound to teach us. That the colleague whose background differs vastly from ours might hold a piece of the solution we've been seeking.

Start building bridges that others say cannot be built. To all of us, Jiang’s message is clear: we can disagree without demonizing, and we can stand for something without standing against someone's fundamental worth. It's on us to create those pathways.

KEEP DOING:

Keep holding firm to your values. You don't have to choose between your convictions and your connections. You can stay true to who you are while remaining open to the humanity in others.

Keep leading with purpose and humility. In our deeply interconnected world, your actions ripple far beyond your immediate circle. Lead with conviction—knowing your "why"—the values and change you seek. Let that purpose be tempered by humility and compassion. This powerful blend allows you to stand strong for what's right while always recognizing the shared humanity in everyone.

Keep refusing to let one another go. This is the ultimate challenge and the greatest reward. As Jiang beautifully concluded, "Let us prove, once and for all, that we rise not by proving each other wrong, but by refusing to let one another go."

This is our moment, and this is our choice. It's an invitation to lead with purpose, to connect with compassion, and to prove that our shared humanity is, and always will be, stronger than our deepest divisions.