As originally announced back in January, Tim Cook made the trek to Duke University this weekend to give the 2018 commencement address. That day has now come, with Tim Cook gracing the stage at Duke’s graduation to talk immigration, #MeToo, and more…

Tim Cook opened his remarks by explaining his excitement to be back at Duke, thanking his former professors and the Duke higher-ups for the impact they had on him as a student and that they continue to have on students everywhere.

The Apple CEO used his commencement address as an opportunity to empower the graduating students, saying that despite the naysayers, there are real problems facing the world today that everyone has the capability to influence. Cook pointed to global warming, inequality, and education as some of the biggest issues facing the world today:

Our planet is warming with devastating consequences, and there are some who deny that it’s even happening. Our schools and communities suffer from deep inequality. We fail to guarantee every student the right to a good education. And yet, we are not powerless in the face of these problems. You are not powerless to fix them.

Cook continued by calling on Duke graduates to not accept the world as it is today, but rather to think differently and change things. He pointed to Steve Jobs as the person who showed him this way of thinking:

I was lucky to learn from someone who believed this deeply. Someone who knew changing the world starts with following a vision, not following a path. He was my friend, my mentor, Steve Jobs. Steve’s vision was that the great idea comes from a restless refusal to accept things as they are.

It’s this guidance, Cook said, that led Apple to where it is today. He emphasized the company’s commitment to privacy, renewable energy, and much more.

As he has done in the past, Cook also used this speech as an opportunity to draw from one of his own personal heroes: Robert Kennedy. Cook cited Kennedy’s own call to action for young people:

Kennedy gave the students a call to action. When you look across this country, and when you see people’s lives held back by discrimination and poverty, when you see injustice and inequality, he said you should be the last people to accept things as they are. Let Kennedy’s words echo here today.

The ultimate theme of Cook’s commencement address was fearlessness. He encouraged the Duke graduates to be fearless like the Parkland students putting a spotlight on gun violence, fearless like the women in the “Me Too” and “Time’s Up” movements, and more:

Fearless like students of Parkland, who refused to be silent about the epidemic of gun violence, bringing millions to their calls. Fearless like the women who say “Me Too” and “Time’s Up.” Women who cast light into dark places and move us to a more just and equal future.

Fearless like those who fight for the rights of immigrants who understand that our only hopeful future is one that embraces all who want to contribute.

Duke graduates, be fearless. Be the last people to accept things as they are, and the first people to stand up and change them for the better.

Cook’s commencement address was met with a standing ovation. A replay of Duke’s full commencement address is below. Cook takes the stage at around the 2 hour and 16 minute mark.

Source: 9to5mac