More from Maz Jobrani

Put yourself in the shoes of the less fortunate and have empathy.

MJ

Maz Jobrani

UC Berkeley Commencement 2017, 2017

18:16

Video starts at 18:16 — the moment this quote was spoken

The Story Behind This Quote

In the most serious passage of his speech, Jobrani spoke about the travel ban and its human cost — an elderly couple turned away at LAX while visiting their son, a man in Norway denied his visa to see his dying father, a Syrian refugee family who sold all their belongings only to be told at the last minute they couldn't come. These stories reminded him of his own family's arrival in 1978 and what might have happened if a six-year-old boy had been told he wasn't welcome. He urged Berkeley's graduates — blessed with one of the finest educations in the world — to fight for the underdog and to approach those less fortunate with genuine understanding rather than fear.

Collect Your Favorite Quotes

Save quotes that inspire you. Build your personal collection of wisdom in Minditly — available on both platforms.