Jiang Yirong’s Harvard Speech Sparks Controversy: The Clash of Idealism and Reality
25-year-old Chinese student Jiang Yirong delivered a speech titled 'Guarding Our Humanity' at Harvard University's graduation ceremony, emphasizing the bonds of humanity in a globalized world.
Although her speech received thunderous applause, the reactions from China and the U.S. diverged sharply. In the U.S., some viewed her remarks as a message from Harvard to the Trump administration, while in China, her background was questioned, leading to accusations of privilege.
She opened social media accounts to clarify her background, but this attempt generated further controversy. Jiang stated that she has 'felt the reality', struggling between idealism and political realities.
Amid the intense public sentiment, her words sparked various responses and raised questions about the identity and voice of international students.
