(UPI) — May 7th, During a commencement speech at Tennessee State University on Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris advised students to "follow your moral compass."According to a White House transcript of Harris' speech, she informed Tennessee State students that the world they were graduating into was "unsettled" and mentioned the Ukraine war as almost 600 students walked the stage at Hale Stadium."We live in a world where long-held beliefs are now on insecure ground," Harris explained. "We see this in Ukraine, where Russia's incursion challenges international conventions and norms that have kept Europe at peace and secure since WWII."
Americans had assumed that "concepts of sovereignty and territorial integrity had, for the most part, survived," but now core democratic principles like equality and fairness are being called into question, according to Harris.
"Unfortunately, inequity has always persisted in our environment. Throughout history, there have been disparities between rich and poor, men and women, and the global north and south "stated Harris
"The gaps have widened dramatically as a result of the pandemic. Extreme poverty and extreme riches are both increasing globally."
Harris praised students for completing despite the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting their collegiate experience.
The vice president appeared to immediately address the recent release of a draft opinion from Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito trying to overturn Roe v. Wade and a federal appeals court order temporarily upholding a controversial Florida voting rule in her remarks.
"Graduates, I understand the challenges in this uncertain world, but I'm also here to tell you that I see the potential. Your leadership opportunities You will help to influence the future of our country and the planet "stated Harris
Harris told students that she had never attended Tennessee State University but had graduated from a historically Black institution or university (HBCU), which she referred to as "educational cathedrals." Howard University, where she received her bachelor's degree in 1986.
"As Vice President of the United States of America and a proud graduate of an HBCU, I stand before you today to say: There are no limits to your ability for greatness," Harris stated.
"There is no barrier you cannot surpass."
Graduates expressed their gratitude to Harris for speaking at their commencement ceremony to a university publication before her address.
"Overjoyed is an understatement," said Tiara Thomas, a TSU student trustee who will graduate with a bachelor's degree in political science.
"I'm very thrilled to have a lady like Vice President Harris who has been exactly where I've been, step by step, as an HBCU graduate, and is exactly where I want to be eventually," she said. "It's really elevated my TSU experience."
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