Meghan Markle made her first public speech since becoming independent of the royal family, making her words that much sharper and more impactful.
She spoke candidly, encouraging people to challenge the status quo and established societal norms, and urged women to speak out against powerful people and establishments, even if it’s “uncomfortable”.
It was a truly powerful speech, and worth the watch.
Just so you are completely in the loop: Meghan Markle just got even cooler.
She made her first public speech since breaking free of the royal family, and her words cut like a knife — in the best way imaginable.
ICYMI, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry recently stepped down for their royal duties and moved to Los Angeles.
After being mercilessly bullied and torn apart by the British press for two years, it came as no surprise that Meghan longed for some normalcy.
So, after two years of relentless scrutiny, Meghan and Harry quietly planned their departure from their roles in the royal family.
At the start of the year, the couple announced in a statement that they would be stepping down from their royal duties.
While speaking at the dinner for supporters of Sentebale in London, Harry addressed his and Meghan’s transition.
“I want you to hear the truth from me. As much as I can share, not as a Prince or a Duke but as Harry,” he said.
“And I know I haven’t always gotten it right but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. What I want to make clear is, we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you “
“Our hope was to continue serving the queen, the commonwealth and my military associations but without public funding,” he continued.
He, Meghan, and their son Archie, initially moved to Canada after stepping down .
But not long after, they moved to Los Angeles instead — likely to aid the reconstruction of Meghan’s acting career.
Anyways, speaking at Girl Up’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday, Meghan encouraged the audience to challenge powerful people and establishments, even if it’s “uncomfortable”.
“Those in the halls and corridors and places of power, from lawmakers to world leaders and executives,” she said .
“All of those people, they depend on you more than you will ever depend on them,” she continued.
“And here’s the thing, they know this .”
She went on to explain that it is the younger generation that is going to make an impact and cultivate positive change.
She said the younger generations are advocating for “justice on gender, climate change, mental health and wellbeing, civic engagement, public service, on so much more”.
“Girl Up members are organizing Black Lives Matter protests around the world … You’re reforming the criminal justice system, you’re telling your school boards ‘We need more mental health resources for all ages. ‘”
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“You’re leading coalitions against gun violence,” she went on.
She then gave a shout-out to New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, for “swiftly and boldly” responding to COVID-19, and WNBA player, Maya Moore, who sat out for more than an entire season in order to protest someone who was wrongfully convicted of a crime and served 23 years in prison before being acquitted.
Meghan circled back, talking about abolishing certain established societal norms.
“Another thing about those lawmakers and leaders and executives I mentioned earlier … they don’t listen until they have to,” she said .
She explained that while it might be easier to accept things the way they are, applying pressure will eventually lead to change — especially when it starts to feel like a losing battle.
“The status quo is easy to excuse, and it’s hard to break,” she said. “But it will pull tightest right before snapping .”
She added that women have always been at a disadvantage when it comes to these things.
“Women have always historically gotten a lot of, ‘Well that isn’t how it’s done,’ or ‘Yeah, that’s an idea, but you know what, we’re gonna do this instead,'” she said .
“But when do we hear that, as women? We hear that in the moments that we challenge the norms.”
She concluded by urging the women in the audience to keep pushing and fighting for change.
“So if that is the case, I say to you: Keep challenging. Keep pushing. Make them a little uncomfortable,” she said.
“Because it’s only in that discomfort that we actually create the conditions to reimagine our standards, our policies, our leadership .”
What do you think of Meghan Markle’s recent Girl Up’s speech, encouraging young women to make powerful people and establishments feel “uncomfortable”?
Watch her full speech here .
Sound off in the comments below!
