Shruthi: There are many lost Einsteins in the US — students who would be incredible inventors, scientists, and future leaders if they had equal access to resources.
Issue XVIII Exclusive Interview Empower
Prepared by Dolly Hirawat & Bhagyashree Prabhutendolkar.
Shruthi Kumar is a student at Harvard University, studying History of Science and Economics with a minor in Human Evolutionary Biology. She is the founder of GoYogi, an international non-profit organization focused on taking a proactive and preventative approach to student mental health education and infrastructure. Shruthi recently made news when she decided to go offscript and addressed the Gaza Protests in American Universties as 13 of her peers were barred from graduation due to their participation in Pro-Palestine protests. Apart from being a powerful orator, Shruthi is one of the finalists at the 2018 World Championships of Yoga Sports in Beijing, China.
Getting into Harvard is a huge achievement. However, many students have a glamorized, idealized image of Harvard. Can you give us a realistic view of how it is like to be a student at Harvard?
Shruthi: For me, the experience of being a student at Harvard comes with a certain degree of responsibility. Many of our student events and efforts are not solely contained within our college campus, but uniquely face public criticisms and media attention. For this reason, it feels as though students have a responsibility to act with integrity and be intentional in our actions. This holds us accountable, creating an environment where we grow and develop as change-makers and leaders guided by a strong moral compass. I have loved my experience at Harvard, and there is truly no other place like it. Each and every person I meet at Harvard has a unique and incredible contribution to the world, from peers to professors, there is always someone to be inspired by. Without a doubt, Harvard has been integral in shaping my voice.
How liberal are Harvard and other major US Universities with regards to giving freedom of speech and expression to its students and helping them become informed, critical citizens?
Shruthi: In principle, and many argue historically, Harvard and other major US universities held values of freedom of speech and expression. In practice, however, and especially recently, they have not done their best in upholding this. Historical figures and graduates of Harvard College like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau have written about civil disobedience and this forms a critical part of classroom discussions and debates. Harvard has been home to countless activists and advocates like Florynce “Flo” Kennedy who protested for equal rights for female students on Harvard’s historically-male campus in the 1970s. Both in the classroom and across campus, Harvard and other US universities have always been critical locations of student activism and protest. Infringement of these rights is unacceptable. Overall, universities must do a better job of educating students on civil disobedience not only in principle but also in practice.
The journey from high school to college admission is a steep one- usually involving years of prep for standardized testing, extracurriculars, and many other things. Do you think all students have equal access to resources with regards to college readiness and a fair chance in college admission? ( do immigrants, people of color, people from underprivileged socio-economic backgrounds have a steeper curve to climb with regards to SAT scores, extracurriculars, etc ? )
Shruthi: No, definitely not. There is immense inequality in our education system in the US and not every student has equal opportunity to dream of attending college, let alone the resources to actually get there. For a student whose parents never attended university, it is that much harder to know how to get into college let alone excel and succeed relative to a student whose parents and grandparents both attended college. There are many lost einsteins in the US — students who would be incredible investors, scientists, and future leaders if they had equal access to resources.
Can you tell us a little bit about the story behind your fiercely courageous, off-script commencement speech at Harvard where you raised your voice for the pro-palestine supporters who were denied graduation?
Shruthi: My speech at Harvard was about the power of not-knowing, and I had written my first draft several months before Commencement. Around the time the Harvard committee selected the speakers, there were rising tensions across campus with regards to the encampment in the yard. The committee and I worked together to integrate the theme of not-knowing and simultaneously address the current moment. The weeks leading up to Commencement were incredibly stressful as we heard news of students not graduating due to their involvement in student protests. Many of these students were my own friends and peers, and I found it unjust they would not be allowed to graduate simply for participating in protests. As an advocate and activist of many issues myself, I believe in civil disobedience and the right to peacefully express one’s position. Since Harvard Corporation made the final decision on the fate of the students only the evening before Commencement, I sat in my room the night before the speech and wrote up a notecard of what I wanted to say about it. I told the two professors I worked most closely with that I felt strongly about saying something at Commencement. It was the bravery and strength of many of my peers that empowered me to say what I said.
What does justice mean to you?
Shruthi: To me, justice is when our systems and institutions recognize all people equally and are accountable for catering to the needs of all individuals. The fight for justice should be steeped with empathy. A just world would attribute equal value to all human life with harm toward any one human being as painful and blasphemous as harm toward any other human — regardless of skin color, nationality, or identity.
How do you maintain a work-study-life balance? What are your views on hustle culture and has hustling affected you personally?
Shruthi: I find it really important to make sure I am spending equal time with friends, with myself, and with my work. For me, spending time with myself really grounds the way I show up with my friends and in my work. I ground myself by making sure I prioritize sleep and by practicing meditation. I use a planner and time-blocking to make sure I am well-rounded in balancing all three areas of life. Hustle culture is something I have definitely struggled with. I am working on cutting myself more slack and learning to allow myself to rest without feeling guilty about it. Hustle culture is something that I worked to unlearn in college and am still unlearning in my life. Prioritizing my sleep and practicing meditation each day has really helped me do that.
What do you think of the American Dream?
Shruthi: The American Dream is a very beautiful ideal in theory, but is less picturesque in how different families achieve it. It’s somewhat of a North Star in guiding people’s principles and values but the end result or reality of which is not necessarily the same for every person. My maternal grandfather’s dream for my mom was that she would be able to lead a life in America and my mom’s dream was for me to have the best opportunities and resources that would enable me to be the best version of myself in the US. This generational dream and the possibility of following it comes down to me, and I am immensely grateful and blessed to be able to call myself an American, holding strong my values for free speech and expression but also recognizing my story is one of immigration and the search of the American Dream — as is the majority of the US population whether it be immigrants now or immigrants a few hundred years ago.
RAPID FIRE ROUND WITH SHRUTHI
Describe yourself in three words.
Who is your biggest source of courage.
What keeps you going on tough days.
Your biggest accomplishment till date.
What would be the last line of your autobiography.
An advice to your younger self.
Shruthi's Social Handles:
Introspective, Maverick, Empathetic.
My family. My mom, dad, and sister each bring me a different type of courage.
A walk and meditation. Reminding myself that my value and worth is the same even if I only do the bare minimum. Sitting closely with my thoughts and emotions.
Having no regrets.
To be continued…
One of my favorite quotes: Comparison is the thief of joy.