Nikki Haley spoke to the power and future of America

By: Alyssa Merhy

Nikki Haley spoke at Elon University’s Fall Convocation on Sep. 27 about how U.S.

foreign policy must focus on finding common ground and on aiding human rights efforts.

Haley drew from her experiences as a minority in America and her former role as the

United States ambassador to underscore how the American values of freedom and opportunity

must be appreciated and shared.

Haley’s Indian family did not fit in with the white community nor the black community

in her southern town. Nonetheless, her parents raised Haley and her siblings as determined

individuals who would find their place in society.

“What was different about America, what was different about Bamberg, South Carolina,

is that our differences did not have to define us,” Haley said. “My mother and father had come to

a country where no one, not the government, not our neighbors, could determine their worth or

place in society.”

Haley’s mother encouraged her to find the similarities between herself and others.

“When you are faced with a challenge, if you first discuss what you have in common, and

then get to the challenges, everyone lets their guard down and then you can have a discussion,”

Haley said.

She said used this skill when she was young, and when she served as governor of South

Carolina and U.S. ambassador to the U.N.

 While serving as ambassador, Haley traveled around the world and confronted several

humanitarian issues. She heard stories of extreme violence and inequality that provided her with

a new perspective that changed what she valued as a leader.

Haley said she appreciated the peace of American democracy after she heard a story from

a Sudanese woman who watched her child be thrown into a fire and then was forced to eat the

skin of that child.

Haley said she grew to appreciate freedom of religion and speech after she saw China’s

ethnic minorities lose their religion and language in government re-education camps.

“When you spend time abroad, especially in developing countries, you learn as much

about your own country as the country you are visiting,” she said.

Her travels gave her the perspective to realize that America is not perfect but American

aid is necessary in helping solve human rights crises worldwide.

The United Nations security council has neglected human rights in favor of prioritizing

peace and security, Haley said during a question-and-answer session that followed her remarks.

“The reality is that human rights abuses are the leading cause of conflict, the kind of

conflicts that spills over borders and engulfs entire regions,” Haley said.

The U.N. must work to help nations struggling with governments that do not support

human rights because “American leadership is necessary for a more peaceful and just world,”

Haley said.

During her time as ambassador, Haley Syria’s dictator initiated a chemical weapons

attack on civilians. The U.S. launched a missile strike to the airbase where the attack originated
from and in the following days, other ambassadors thanked Haley for America’s assistance

during the time of crisis.

Seeing atrocities worldwide made Haley realize that the political division in America is

insignificant in comparison. America is a leader around the world because its citizens have been

afforded democracy and freedom at home.

“Our true wealth is in our values,” Haley said. “The American the principles of freedom

and human dignity are the source of our national greatness. They are also our most powerful

foreign policy tools.”