The Un-instagramable Self - Tara Westover Northeastern Commencement Speech 2019

For a transcript of the speech, click here:
tarawestover.com/commencement

[@average_life]

I lived a few miles from Tara's family. I am 10 years older than her. She was the same age as my youngest sibling. I was raised in a family of 11 kids, very similarly to Tara. Reading her book was on one hand, triggering. On the other, fulfilling. It took me a very long 35 years to "see" the truth and reality. We were born at home, ieven helped and watched the birth of a few. My mother tore horribly, and the naturpath attending her birth had to suture her- there in her bed, running hot towels from the oven to stop the bleeding and clean up. At 7 or 8 years old, I finally got a certificate of live birth. We never saw doctors, until I broke my back in a car accident. Even then, my treatment was through the local chiro/naturopath. We were in a constant state of fear, the government, the "2ndComing", our fathers wrath, mood swings, revelations and guidance from "God" that would bring changes and more severe circumstances. In a perpetual in a cycle of canning and storing food and protection in prep for "the End/ abomination." Severe narcissistic abuse, physically, emotionally, sexually. My family was very abusive and violent. It took until I was 35 to start fighting. I went NC, and left "the church". I do have contact with some now, with very strict boundaries and terms. We used only herbal homeopathic, alternative medicine. I received stitches on the kitchen table at 6 years old. I blacked out from the pain and can't remember it all. My dad almost cut his arm off at the shoulder, running a chainsaw. They put "herbal poultices" on it and prayed. Too many disasters and injuries to list. My mother and sisters still hold the Westover parents in very high regard- a respect and reverence usually reserved for God. They expanded their use and knowledge of EO and energy work under her mother. We were extremists, self sufficient, on alert after Ruby Ridge. We were allowed to attend school, but with lots of correction and input from my dad. No one was above suspicion. Should Tara read this- Thank you for your bravery, your beautiful insight and perspective. It has given me the rest of my freedom, a fresh perspective, understanding and peace. I hope that any others in these traumatizing situations find the bravery to seek out your own "truth", to get educated, and live the joyful life you deserve!

[@joelmamdeoliveira4936]

Thank you for sharing your history❤ You are also on the brave’s time.

[@marthamcdowell5229]

Wow. Glad you’re where you’re at. I had no idea of this “world”.

[@average_life]

@marthamcdowell5229 Thank you, I am incredibly thankful as well! It was/is so common for the area (Idaho/ Utah). I am just so grateful to have a fighting spirit and married a very "sane", loving and supporting husband. I know so many still tormented by this "lifestyle", living abused. But I also see the younger generations bravely breaking these patterns and it gives me hope!💓

[@Ella-dd3vz]

i have trouble reading books (i take months, or i get bored and just forget about it) but when i accidentally read hers, i was able to finish it in 3 days. It was so engaging and articulate and sincere. Thank you Tara

[@basslineur3965]

Right? It has such clear language and has such an engaging story!

[@toriii5583]

Me too! It was the first book I read in 2022

[@bashasadoff6983]

"everything of any significance that you will do in your life, will be done by your un-instagramable self"

[@Juneflower100]

Your book touched my heart, but your singing touched my soul, Tara.

[@lisaeells1852]

Exactly! Beautiful!

[@gamerankyer1960]

Hiii

[@madhurtrivedi8440]

A giant of a woman in a diminutive frame. I just finished her book which is why I am here listening to her speech. She is an amazing and courageous writer, her story motivates and inspires, and I know I shall read it again and again. Plus, she sings like an angel…Bless you Tara!

[@roscotolman2903]

I couldn't put your book down, and some of it brought tears to my eyes. I was also raised in a very small, totally Mormon town in Southeastern Idaho. I also earned a PhD--in Spanish from the University of Utah, and am no longer a member of the Mormon Church.

[@basslineur3965]

It sounds like you guys have a lot in common!

[@kellysmith798]

Her voice is so beautiful it made me cry

[@patrickraymond8023]

Tara is so inspiration. Her audio book made me want to drive longer to keep listening to it. Can’t wait for what comes next. Like Mark Twain said, I am glad her schooling did not interfere with her education.

[@taytaekh7947]

just finished reading her book and i became obsessed w her. it's probably one of the only few books that I've read that really touches me and my soul. can't thank her enough for that alone. thank you for being a light to this world.

[@ACE-zo6st]

Fantastic speech-- most of our lives are un-instagramable moments. Lying on the hall floor comforting a child who's had a bad dream isn't glamorous... but it is Love, no matter how you, we, look.

[@sakurachristineito6428]

She's wonderfully eloquent. Words just flow out of her mouth smoothly like high quality silk

[@stanzinkhar405]

I read her book and there she wrote how his father was proud of her singing in church and I was imagining that while I read . But now I truly understand the pride of her father . Truly mesmerizing..

[@becomesuperhuman]

I just learned who Tara is, I had never heard her name before today. I've just watched four videos of her, this one being the second one where she sang at the end and I cried just as hard as I did listening to her sing the first time. I can't seem to get enough of her, she's incredible and the emotions that well up in me listening to her sing are more powerful than anything I can remember in the recent past. I'm so glad to have stumbled upon her book because that made me want to learn more about her. She seems wise beyond anything or anyone in the universe.

[@dsda3731]

I read this from Ms Westover’s website before I watched the video of her speech. She writes so wonderfully - her book Educated is evidence of that, of course - so it was a joy to read this thoughtful speech. Thank you to Northeastern for uploading the video.

[@star73191]

So honored to have been there and heard her speech.

[@kishanchali8752]

I happened to read about her through a Facebook thread and checked her details. She's a living example of how resilient one can be in the face of adversities and overcome all those odds to achieve great things. May you have all the strength to influence those who are struggling to win a life.

[@marilyn1228]

What an incredibly inspiring, thoughtful, talented human being.

[@Andy-ty2ni]

I am reading your book now....such a gift for emotionally descriptive prose...such a heartbreaking and trying life story....so compelling...thank you Tara!

[@jessicahurley7219]

Me too still reading but had to look her up to learn more...too bad this video stopped before she sang...

[@stephenhannon2304]

Thank you for this gift. Along with a graduate's, Alexander Duffy's, 91 year-old grandmother in North Carolina, we were watching the Northeastern's graduation from California. We are so moved by hearing Tara Westover sing and speak. The singing was beyond mortal word description. It felt like an angel's music. Thank you for sharing this so we could experience this gift.

[@yoyowu4015]

Loved the book, and her voice makes me cry ❤️ thanks for the best book and this incredible speech

[@wpciuo2758]

How great Thou art! Wonderful song!!

[@user-rf2qd4pv9x]

I regret not being able to learn English now. I read Tara Westover's book: "Student Girl" translated into Kyrgyz. It is very interesting and impressively written, a very talented girl. Greetings from Kyrgyzstan

[@JessieLinneRuiz]

Beautiful voice. ❤️

[@songyuxin5498]

She is definitely a mentor! I love thé she said no one is always perfect and it also segregate from the way you assume yourself are ! Thank you ! Well done

[@SunSnowGravity]

I love to see her go back to childhood and reach than beautiful side she still keeps. Making peace with oneself without losing parts of you on the way is a big achievement.

[@barbarawise4373]

Wow. Powerful words.

[@lilliancooley967]

Tara you’re amazing! Love you! God bless....

[@joelmartin6726]

Just stunning. Amazing woman, person. Woman of steel. You deserve the best life.

[@Clearbluesky771]

Wow breathtaking singing voice

[@stevemartin7096]

Perhaps an album of songs would be a project Tara would undertake. She sings in as captivating a way as she writes.

[@EMERALDJAYNE]

I love this speech so much

[@helencampbell3291]

You’re kidding right This is one of stupidest pointless speeches I’ve ever heard She sure took herself seriously Oh well

[@sugarbaby1954]

@@helencampbell3291 Do you know or have you read anything about Tara? She is the equivalent of Nell, in the movie starring Jody Foster as Nell. She is an amazing person, she has accomplished so much in her short life. I say short because she had no real life before she got away from her family. She has graduated from Brigham Young college, and went on to Harvard and Cambridge, wrote a #1 best selling book "Educated" now Tara is helping others. All this with never having gone to grade school or high school, never even allowed to talk to anyone. Helen, what are you so afraid and angry about? You may not have graduated an ivy league college, but you matter just as much as Tara or anyone else does. I hope you know, and believe that. May the Lord bless and keep you safe.

[@ratnasusanti9957]

Beautiful speech. Thank you Tara

[@B_-_t_-_-_-_]

A good message. In a similar vein, my instagram profile says: "My identity presently has no seat like a loser at musical chairs. I inhabit society's negative space in absolute & relative superposition. I AM, human". Thereafter the photos use the filters only to draw out the beauty I see in the everyday world around me rather than attempting to project any image of myself. The dark place is the place of creation, where you come to understand who you are, and where you build the courage and resources to become who you authentically need to be.

[@smt2635]

I love Tara Westover so much🥰🥰

[@violetthadi6115]

Tara, you are a miracle. This speech just took my breath away.

[@nicoleporter9332]

Her singing was simply beautiful

[@KHUZAFARAUF]

Just finished “Educated” , my God she is an inspiration.

[@jonm1209]

You can just sense how genuine Tara is.

[@chriscarr003]

Congratz everyone!

[@raoulmiller4340]

So talented.

[@christopherrichardbass-bar5727]

Impressive speech; beautiful singing voice.

[@sarahchoi2657]

Tbh I was expecting cringey singing but her voice is beautiful

[@inakifernandez2849]

lol me too, but her voice is really beautiful and touching

[@joelmamdeoliveira4936]

So true 🎉🎉🎉🎉 I just loved the sincerity of this speech

[@snx5052]

My dream Northestern Love u❤

[@twinkling0523]

Hello. I don't know where to contact, so I leave it here. I was greatly inspired by this author's books and this video. I want to upload on KZbin with Korean subtitles so that more people can see it, but do I have to get permission to use the video? If anyone knows, please leave a comment below.

[@denisewilkes7486]

Beautiful

[@rosecucunato3900]

I think she is amazing

[@lynnelizabeth9343]

Love this truth...

[@Nothingisfinal]

Didn't have the luck to see her in-person, I graduated in 2017...

[@franniebabe]

From the way you sing, i can sense that God’s Spirit is in you regardless of your beliefs 👏🏽

[@ladyg.789]

I agree and felt the same thing Franniebabe. She sang with too much passion. She thinks that's her childhood she is connecting with, it's the Holy Spirit. Wonderful speech, I passed her words on and video to my FB page.

[@toyconnoisseur4948]

You demean and disregard her experiences and opinions by laying on top your own biases. You have no claim to suggest it is the holy spirit, whatsoever

[@karinscott8069]

Really beautiful voice though.

[@gamerankyer1960]

Woah i wish i was there :< jk lol

[@dazhou2008]

Thanks to my un-instagramable self. HB: XCCVLRR3JFML7YP2

[@gamerankyer1960]

Whatt am only 8 my mom put this show

[@othnielakaveka8498]

🦆

[@annsmith7207]

I wonder how much educational debt she is carrying? Her education could not have all been on scholarship - she can pay it off now with the proceeds of her book - similar to President Obama ---who finally paid off all of his loans when his first book was published....decades and decades later! The educational system in the US has to change - and not saddling 21 year old kids with huge student loan debt ought to be a top priority!

[@cathytirona3761]

They were scholarships.

[@karinscott8069]

Why didn't you call the cops on Travis. He has 7 kids now. Are they in danger? Is his wife even alive?

[@karinscott8069]

Attempted murder on "Erin" plus yourself. Witnessed by "Erin's" grandfather who stopped it. Why no cops? And, I saw the pic of your father from 2009. He still has his ears and lips. He looked fine. He was an asshole, yes, but that horrific explosion was a lie. No human can withstand that without dying. The body goes into shock, the blood pressure spikes, and everything shuts down. Why did you write that?

[@colebuschi2878]

This isn’t her channel bud