“Without diversity, our universe would lose its brilliance,” said Eddie Ndopu, internationally acclaimed humanitarian and disability justice advocate, at a recent talk hosted by UC Santa Barbara’s Arts and Lectures.

Born in South Africa and diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Distrophy at age 2, Ndopu was originally given only five years to live. Against all odds, Ndopu has gone on to become a voice for the world’s marginalized communities, through his work with the United Nations Foundation, the Clinton Foundation, and numerous global boards including Verizon’s Global Advisory Board for Accessibility and the Valuable 500.

As a disabled student at Oxford University, Eddie Ndopu experienced systemic barriers presented to marginalized communities. In his memoir Sipping Dom Perignon Through a Straw: Reimagining Success As A Disabled Achiever, which he made available for free at the talk, Ndopu describes his time at Oxford through his intersectional identity as Black and disabled, and how the diversity he brings to the table creates a better and more complete world. Ndopu advocates for systemic barriers to be addressed, and asserts that our governmental and social systems must do more to nurture this diversity, rather than punish those who fail to reach the status quo.

Eddie Ndopu is a human rights activist who focuses on disability justice and how that intersects with international development.

“Grit is not enough to push past systemic barriers,” said Ndopu. He cited his experience as a United Nations Global Changemaker, and his work to develop the global agency’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which focus on disability-based innovation and fighting global poverty.

In his talk, Ndopu linked intersectional identities to light and brilliance, seeming to shine himself as he spoke inspiringly on the stage, covering topics that were near and dear to his heart.

“I love living and want to live fully, therefore I demand more from society,” Ndopu said, in response to a question from an audience member who expressed exhaustion with fighting for better institutional systems.

You fight for a better world because you want to be liberated rather than just survive, he said, to create a society in which you and your loved ones feel supported and safe in order to truly live.

Rachel Foley is a third-year student at UC Santa Barbara, majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in American politics. This article was written for her Writing Program course Digital Journalism.