As a single father of 4 young men brought me to actual tears. The speech was powerful and will share this with my sons. Donovan you are AMAZING.

It's a speech about potential and allowing the next generation to exceed our expectations of what is possible. An angry/frustrated child sometimes is just the most aware. They want answers not excuses and limits. There is the potential for greatness in everyone.

@sukmahadinovandi7963

2 жыл бұрын

Amazing

"I've always been a thorn in the side of injustice" - these words hit the core of my existence.

That is what will make "America Great Again", not a bumper sticker on your truck.

@pops1507

8 жыл бұрын

Wake up...the speech WAS a bumper sticker.

@Mak2Grim

3 жыл бұрын

@@pops1507 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

As a Swede, I did understand every word this young men said. and now I am smiling from east to west.

@dennis4837

8 жыл бұрын

Is Sweden still a country?

@flickcogswell220

8 жыл бұрын

As a Swede your country should open the flood gates and we will ship over as many of these young men as your socialist state can handle , then that smile from east to west will turn north / south as your country goes down the shit tubes. Good luck

@dennis4837

8 жыл бұрын

Sweden's Muslim population are their version of American blacks. How are all those Muslims working out for you, Sweden?

@albundy2666

8 жыл бұрын

Is Sweden now a muslim Country?

@albundy2666

8 жыл бұрын

Otto Von Skidmark sad....and u swedish people dont do anything against this shit?

The comments here are just more proof of how necessary his speech is. it is 2016 and people still think it's somewhat outrageous to have a young black man speak from a place of academic excellence.

I don't ever comment on social media, but this was moving. This young man brought hope and I wish him the best. He is an inspiration. A true reality to what's to come from the believers. He should be honored. He is the light in a darkened day. His words should be remembered forever.

@johntobey1558

2 жыл бұрын

This man is full of rage and indignation. If he waa from Appalachia, or tge coal mines of Pennsylvania with a regional dialect from coal country, Would you cheer as loudly?

@tridinh1011

Жыл бұрын

​@@johntobey1558 uhm, if he is as capable as he can speak, then yes, it makes no difference

True inspiration... Congratulations on your achievements. You didn't just graduated from Harvard, you surpassed her ignorance and despite all the pain she caused you thrived...

WOW SO BRAVE I CRY EVERYTIM

@joeshmo95

8 жыл бұрын

It's brave to preach exactly what the popular media propagates every five seconds? That's news to me.

The "Word" is a powerful tool. For this young man to combine the "historical experience" with vivid, impactful and inspiring words that bring the history into a visualization adding textual content is awesome!! Congratulations Donovan job well done!!

@aw5609

8 жыл бұрын

What historical experience did he actually experience?

@TrunkMonkey3000

8 жыл бұрын

+Bud Ertz KANG AND KWEENZ!!! FROM DA CLASSROOM TO DA PLANTATION!!!

@aw5609

8 жыл бұрын

***** Sheeit

and that is how you inspire a generation

@pops1507

8 жыл бұрын

Sorry....the folks at the cemetery in Chicago don't agree.

@TrunkMonkey3000

8 жыл бұрын

+Pops150 CHICONGO*

absolutely amazing my brother. may God bless your journey.

An absolutely beautiful, inspiring and deep delivery. Thanks!

WoW! To all the debaters and haters and everybody else, stay for the whole speech and LIFT OFF! To Donovan: I'm blown away and just overflowing with…everything. Thank you. I know you will, as my pastor (Solomon Kinloch, Jr.) says, "make your blessings evident in the lives of others."

WOW. Mr. Livingston, I wish I knew you! So inspiring. Thank you!

Beautiful. I’ve watched this speech many times over now and i always seem find something new to learn. Creative, intuitive, boundary pushing, authentic, astronomical and most important relatable.This man has spilled a part of his soul for us all, what an inspiration.

Thanks Donovan! I just played this for my 17 year old daughter and she was clearly inspired!

To say this is inspirational from such a relatively youngman is an understatement. Fantastic and all your students should count themselves lucky to have you as their teacher. Well done.

Absolutely scintillating, the amount of work that has gone into that speech is phenomenal, truly inspiring words. Thank your Donovan.

YES! Thank you Donovan! You are sharing a message that so many need to hear. If we are to bring about equity in education it will take many more men and women like you to shout it from the mountain tops and the valleys. Use your platform to transform education for ALL!

full of passion and well-delivered!

No matter how many times I view this I am always moved to yet another level of love for education to all.

Donovan Livingston, I am so inspired by your speech. I was so enthralled I could barely breathe while listening to you. You are a gift to the world.

Inspiring. So proud to know you Donovan!

Beautiful. Inspiring. Thank you. I would love to have a teacher like you.

Wonderful, poetic and heartfelt words! Let us challenge poverty and injustice , and make sure every child has access to an excellent and meaningful education......We all belong among the stars!!

this speech was amazing!! it is changing me for the better, i wanted to say thank you for sending this video!

What an inspirational speech, the young man truly deserved the standing ovation

Fantastic! Interesting to note, I have heard this speech 3 different times, presented by 3 different professors, in 3 different courses, for different reasons. The speech was made 5 years ago, yet it is timeless with hope and inspiration. If this was how he was feeling then, imagine what he is feeling now, and his students will be lucky!

Worth rewatching every few months. Great work Donovan!

@maryschaefer8265

7 жыл бұрын

Ozzie, I do this. I set it a reminder to show up in my inbox monthly.

One of the best poetry/speeches I've heard. Had to watch it again 4 years later.

Thanks, Lester, for posting this. Everyone should watch, listen, and rejoice.

This made my heart so full. I am proud of him! I have so much motivation entering my 1L year at WVU Law from this video.

Fam this was truly inspiring..I come back and listen to this just to lift my spirts whenever needed ❤

This is the most beautiful and inspiring speech i have heard this year!

I just love this young man speech and what he stands for

it is so very rare that I hear speeches of this nature and yours, young man, was extremely inspiring. Your words were truly blessed and so very inspiring to many I am sure. Continue to turn what society has deemed normal on it's ear. Your path is a brilliant one, lit with fortune and greatness. Never be discouraged by the negativity of others.

awesome inspirational speech. The sky is not the limit. it's the beginning. So, Lift off!

we need more voices like this

I can listen to this over and over again... so powerful!

Excellent! Those of us born without privilege would do well to heed these words. We and we alone have the ability to rise out of poverty and ignorance. Though we must work harder than many who are born to privilege, we can be proud of having overcome our disadvantages on our own. We will be better than those who had it easier than we.

@tailboard

8 жыл бұрын

+Otto Von Skidmark it aint skin color. its socioeconomic status which is highly correlated with skin color. But that is my whole point. Whatever people think about their disadvantages, no one is going to do more to help them than themselves. Eapecially not a government.

@97buzzer

8 жыл бұрын

People didn't choose to be born into privileged families, whether you "rise out of poverty" or reach whatever you deem as success doesn't make you any better of a person than someone who had it the "easy way".

@tailboard

8 жыл бұрын

Dan B I respectfully disagree. Maybe not at everything but a harder trial makes one better than one with an easier trial in that one respect. IMO

@stevechang949

8 жыл бұрын

We shouldn't have to. It's not suppose to be there to "overcome" and then not have your extraordinary effort/achievements recognized but only considered "adequate."

@aespino91ae

8 жыл бұрын

true, totally agree

Wow. He's going to go onto big things,

So true!!! I LOVE that he used his platform to bravely speak the truth about injustice, boldly talks about rising and shining with all power and might, and courageously reaches back to pull up another!!!!! My BEAUTIFUL BLACK BROTHER, I'm proud of you!!!!!

WOW. Mr. Livingston, I wish I knew you! So inspiring. Thank you! The world needs more of this.

I FEEL SO HYPED

this is powerful. "I belong amount the stars, so do you, and so do they! beautiful!

Boy do we have some ignorant commenters here. Some probably didn't listen to the whole speech and yet here they are trying to start a debate. People's ignorance amazes me

@CrasherX2000

8 жыл бұрын

exactly its stupid

@pops1507

8 жыл бұрын

Ah done lissen to de hole speech, homes, and I done posted jes' above youh a**.

@sisbrawny

8 жыл бұрын

What's wrong with debate?

@nubiadivina

8 жыл бұрын

"What's wrong with debate?" -- being on the wrong side of it . . .

@sisbrawny

8 жыл бұрын

nubiadivina facepalm..

I am so inspired by this speech, all the way from South Africa I am going to apply for my MASTERS in HGSE and hope I get in. Thank you Donovan for being an inspiration to me and others.

@sirrooster1541

Жыл бұрын

Did you get in?

POWERFUL AND ELOQUENT! LOVED IT AND CONGRATULATIONS!

I visit here regularly for enjoying his rhythmical & inspirational speech. If he had drawn the audience's snap/clap/rejoice, it would be the historic speech!! Wish him the best.

The point of the speech to me was for educators to really dig deep and help kids in that are in strife. Show them they truly matter and can make something of themselves thru education despite their circumstances. Encourage them and really help those kids in need to believe they can do anything in life successfully.

Awesome. His imagery is beautiful.

I love your speech i feel you will change the world my friend

"no, the sky is not the limit, lift off" To Donovon: May you live long and Prosper. I wish happiness and blessings to you and your family.

I'm so moved...amazing and inspiring.

So unique. So special. So powerful!

Awesome I’m so proud of this young man. God Bless You!

love u Donovan ...don't know u but have much live for u

Truly inspirational. Thank you.

I love watching this - - it's awesome. So inspiring. Thank you

Your words reached into my heart with their powerful truth and passion! You are a living symbol of why I LOVE teaching! Thank you for sharing this inspiration to continue this important work. Best wishes as you continue your journey to find your life's purpose.

Genius! So proud of this young man.

My Grandchildren will know this" Spoken Word" thank you for sharing your soul, your authentic self!

I really don't understand why people are so mad... Anyhow, GREAT SPEECH!!

@tripple6566

6 жыл бұрын

Haaz Bailey there mad because he has so much melanin in his skin and he's making a name for himself.

This speech was beautiful by this young man..Mr.D. Livingston

Watch this video like everyday. Dude is something special.

Young man... MAD RESPECT FOR YOU!

Loved it!

Wonderfully written and delivered.

The world needs more of this.

I balling, this is so inspiring.

Good energy. Good luck to him and I hope his message gets conveyed to his listeners.

Bravo Donovan - beautiful speech!

Beautiful...beautiful words! "the sky is just the beginning"

WOW. Mr. Livingston, I wish I knew you! So inspiring. Thank you! when i feel down, this video cheers me up once more. "we are born to be comets"

Deeply inspiring. We need a Donovan Livingston in every classroom.

Beautiful. Inspiring. Thank you. I would love to have a teacher like you. WOW. Mr. Livingston, I wish I knew you! So inspiring. Thank you!

Wow.. I'm blown away he had this kind of knowledge & skill at his age. Marvelous.

Astoundingly awesome!

I love this so much

i really apreciate this beautiful presentation

All educators need to hear this

@aw5609

8 жыл бұрын

No they dont

@peauntbutterxboy93

8 жыл бұрын

+Oron Sek yes they should

Very powerful!!!! Thank you, Donovan.

As a 6th grade outdoor science teacher. I thank you Donovan.

i had to watch this for my speech exam, man I spent a whole sleepless night deciphering this poem line by line. what a terrific night that was. by the way, I should say it is a great poem

This is an amazing speech Donovan!

Beautiful.Simply beautiful.

Thank you Donovan for your generous contributions for the continued movement to abolish racism, inspire education to change the ignorant minds of many. Your speech made me emotional but more importantly, inspired me in so many ways. Thank you and continued success for upward mobility for the greatness of all beings.

great speech, great inspiration. cheers from switzerland!

Amazing!

There is hope for a brighter future 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Thank you to all the teachers who inspire their students to use their gifts in positive ways as did Mr Livingston's teacher. To all the people trolling these comments ..go do something good for someone else it will make you feel better:)

That was so powerful man, really preach the true sleeper of world. Education is what makes us greater and takes us places we were destined to go. Thanks for this speech, shall all listen and hear this voice.

Amazing speech. Very heartfelt and sincere.

@raajrawa7350

8 жыл бұрын

i just farted

Beautiful!

Let's give respect where it's due, this is incredibly artsy & should be viewed as nothing but empowering to all individuals on this planet.

Thank you, Mr. Livingston. Just thank you.

Donovan Livingston! Thank you, Sir.

Absolutely Awesome 1008 + 1008 ~

Beautiful & brave. Thank you.