Meghan Markle Gives Address to Former High School Graduating Class: "George Floyd's Life Mattered"
Meghan Markle gave an address to her former high school about the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, and so many others at the hands of police brutality.
Meghan said "I know you know that Black Lives Matter. So I am already excited for what you are going to do in the world."
Meghan Markle has spoken out about the murder of George Floyd, addressing students at her former high school, Immaculate Heart High in Los Angeles, during a virtual graduation speech.
“As we’ve all seen over the last week what is happening in our country and in our state and in our home town of L.A. has been absolutely devastating," The Duchess said in the address, first reported by Essence. “And I wasn’t sure what I could say to you. I wanted to say the right thing and I was really nervous that I wouldn’t or it would get picked apart, and I realized the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing, because George Floyd’s life mattered and Breonna Taylor’s life mattered and Philando Castile’s life mattered and Tamir Rice’s life mattered. And so did so many other people whose names we know and whose names we do not know.”
She added that a former teacher's perspective heavily impacted her: “One of my teachers, Ms. Pollia, said to me ... ‘Always remember to put other’s needs above your own fears.’ And that has stuck with me throughout my entire life and I have thought about it more in the last week than ever before.”
The Duchess also spoke about her own experience living through the L.A. riots when she was in middle school:
“I was 11 or 12 years old when I was just about to start Immaculate Heart Middle School in the fall, and it was the L.A. riots, which was also triggered by a senseless act of racism. And I remember the curfew and I remember rushing back home, and on that drive home, seeing ash fall from the sky, and smelling the smoke and seeing the smoke billow out of buildings. And seeing people run out of buildings carrying bags and looting. And I remember seeing men in the back of a van just holding guns and rifles. And I remember pulling up to the house and seeing the tree, that had always been there, completely charred. And those memories don’t go away.”
She ended her address with, “I know you know that Black Lives Matter. So I am already excited for what you are going to do in the world. You are equipped, you are ready, we need you, and you are prepared. I am so proud to call each of you a fellow alumni. And I am so eager to see what you're going to do. Please know that I am cheering you on, all along the way. I am exceptionally proud of you.”
Please watch the full video below for Meghan's complete address, via Essence:
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