Oprah Winfrey told graduates during her keynote address at the University of Southern California on Friday that students need to “rise” against the “hysteria” gripping politics across the U.S.
“This moment in time, this is your time to rise,” the media mogul said. “Even though you can’t go anywhere — you can’t stand in line at Starbucks, you can’t go to a party, you can’t go anywhere without everyone talking about how bad things are, how terrible it is.”
Winfrey, who is rumored to be a possible presidential candidate in 2020, referenced former first lady Michelle Obama‘s famous “when they go low, we go high” line from the 2016 Democratic National Convention during her speech, compelling students to vote at the polls in November.
“If they go low, thank you Michelle Obama, we go to the polls,” Winfrey said. “People died for that right. I think about it every time I cast a vote, so don’t let their sacrifice be in vain.”
“The rumors from my last big speech have finally died down,” she added, referencing the media frenzy caused by her Golden Globes remarks in support of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements. “Vote! Pay attention to the people who claim to represent you and your values.”
