Hip-Hop Diaspora and Diplomacy | Toki Wright | TEDxMinneapolisSalon

[Music]

[Music] each bar the sky is what once walked the

each bar the sky is what once walked the

each bar the sky is what once walked the soil we exist beyond the realms of

soil we exist beyond the realms of

soil we exist beyond the realms of what’s considered realistic we are like

what’s considered realistic we are like

what’s considered realistic we are like from a future galaxy exploding in the

from a future galaxy exploding in the

from a future galaxy exploding in the illusion of time black lives are matter

illusion of time black lives are matter

illusion of time black lives are matter of fact just as a seed is a seed on the

of fact just as a seed is a seed on the

of fact just as a seed is a seed on the tree of life what did you get a chance

tree of life what did you get a chance

tree of life what did you get a chance to learn can you read or write did it

to learn can you read or write did it

to learn can you read or write did it bear rotten fruit did you get a bite

bear rotten fruit did you get a bite

bear rotten fruit did you get a bite some study Isaac Newton we survived from

some study Isaac Newton we survived from

some study Isaac Newton we survived from the nuisance

in the new world before the prison’s

in the new world before the prison’s floated the top endless warrants you

floated the top endless warrants you

floated the top endless warrants you heard fathers and fathers corners and

heard fathers and fathers corners and

heard fathers and fathers corners and messages through coated ribbon children

messages through coated ribbon children

messages through coated ribbon children born unification ceremonies and

born unification ceremonies and

born unification ceremonies and encouraging reminder of the heart

encouraging reminder of the heart

encouraging reminder of the heart beating close against the breastplate

beating close against the breastplate

beating close against the breastplate rate increased by imposition and

rate increased by imposition and

rate increased by imposition and conquests most ripe picking from broken

conquests most ripe picking from broken

conquests most ripe picking from broken branches to dance on a deck of death and

branches to dance on a deck of death and

branches to dance on a deck of death and death precious cargo stole stole but you

death precious cargo stole stole but you

death precious cargo stole stole but you can’t erase soul a great storm cast down

can’t erase soul a great storm cast down

can’t erase soul a great storm cast down upon our village pillaged and set ablaze

upon our village pillaged and set ablaze

upon our village pillaged and set ablaze for days pulling the darkest clouds

for days pulling the darkest clouds

for days pulling the darkest clouds upwards from the ground to cover the

upwards from the ground to cover the

upwards from the ground to cover the sun’s radiance in the new land drum

sun’s radiance in the new land drum

sun’s radiance in the new land drum taking yet replaced in rum barrel and

taking yet replaced in rum barrel and

taking yet replaced in rum barrel and stretched goatskin we say new songs

stretched goatskin we say new songs

stretched goatskin we say new songs between low and weight in water the

between low and weight in water the

between low and weight in water the sambas are sons of the congo and angola

sambas are sons of the congo and angola

sambas are sons of the congo and angola the blue is a daughter of molly

the blue is a daughter of molly

the blue is a daughter of molly gospel of hybrid developing at a court

gospel of hybrid developing at a court

gospel of hybrid developing at a court in Freetown Sierra Leone and the new

in Freetown Sierra Leone and the new

in Freetown Sierra Leone and the new land seized from the indigenous here we

land seized from the indigenous here we

land seized from the indigenous here we are

are

are [Music]

[Music]

[Music] we danced an imprint into Earth feel the

we danced an imprint into Earth feel the

we danced an imprint into Earth feel the tears spilling into the ocean for the

tears spilling into the ocean for the

tears spilling into the ocean for the one-way ride chain naked in the depths

one-way ride chain naked in the depths

one-way ride chain naked in the depths of beasts belly impregnating the ship

of beasts belly impregnating the ship

of beasts belly impregnating the ship giving birth to economic prosperity for

giving birth to economic prosperity for

giving birth to economic prosperity for empires outside found by wrist and ankle

empires outside found by wrist and ankle

empires outside found by wrist and ankle crimson mixing with the planks the first

crimson mixing with the planks the first

crimson mixing with the planks the first dance floors that brought forth and so

dance floors that brought forth and so

dance floors that brought forth and so on and so what was the sound made by

on and so what was the sound made by

on and so what was the sound made by those who chose to sing and join them

those who chose to sing and join them

those who chose to sing and join them that did not survive on the other side

that did not survive on the other side

that did not survive on the other side their life force splashing percussive

their life force splashing percussive

their life force splashing percussive against the shores of all nations and

against the shores of all nations and

against the shores of all nations and the waves made by their faces browse

the waves made by their faces browse

the waves made by their faces browse soaked in spirit

soaked in spirit

soaked in spirit the dust kicked up the clasp of hands

the dust kicked up the clasp of hands

the dust kicked up the clasp of hands the songs they say every wing into

the songs they say every wing into

the songs they say every wing into eternity

[Music]

[Music] take a moment and think back to the most

take a moment and think back to the most

take a moment and think back to the most important moments in your life how did

important moments in your life how did

important moments in your life how did it look how did it feel and most

it look how did it feel and most

it look how did it feel and most importantly how did it sound it is my

importantly how did it sound it is my

importantly how did it sound it is my belief that a song can do so much to

belief that a song can do so much to

belief that a song can do so much to bridge gaps and divide because we are a

bridge gaps and divide because we are a

bridge gaps and divide because we are a song if you think of music as an

song if you think of music as an

song if you think of music as an opportunity for bringing together people

opportunity for bringing together people

opportunity for bringing together people of all walks of life through art through

of all walks of life through art through

of all walks of life through art through dance through creative writing what are

dance through creative writing what are

dance through creative writing what are the possibilities for this culture what

the possibilities for this culture what

the possibilities for this culture what can be developed through our differences

can be developed through our differences

can be developed through our differences to help bring us closer to one another

to help bring us closer to one another

to help bring us closer to one another whether it’s the generation gap sexual

whether it’s the generation gap sexual

whether it’s the generation gap sexual identity or preference religious

identity or preference religious

identity or preference religious affiliation geographical lines or other

affiliation geographical lines or other

affiliation geographical lines or other forms of other ring music is that one

forms of other ring music is that one

forms of other ring music is that one thing that allows us to have a

thing that allows us to have a

thing that allows us to have a conversation across the world because we

conversation across the world because we

conversation across the world because we are all connected by the beating of our

are all connected by the beating of our

are all connected by the beating of our heart as we know the heart is an

heart as we know the heart is an

heart as we know the heart is an instrument the heart is a drum if we

instrument the heart is a drum if we

instrument the heart is a drum if we look back and we go back through this

look back and we go back through this

look back and we go back through this idea of diaspora we can understand how

idea of diaspora we can understand how

idea of diaspora we can understand how we have gotten to the place that we are

we have gotten to the place that we are

we have gotten to the place that we are at today and how we are all connected

at today and how we are all connected

at today and how we are all connected through the heartbeat and just as people

through the heartbeat and just as people

through the heartbeat and just as people have been transferred throughout the

have been transferred throughout the

have been transferred throughout the world through many different events of

world through many different events of

world through many different events of which we will speak of we have also been

which we will speak of we have also been

which we will speak of we have also been connected by the genres and by the

connected by the genres and by the

connected by the genres and by the people that have stepped forth before us

people that have stepped forth before us

people that have stepped forth before us culture provides us an opportunity to

culture provides us an opportunity to

culture provides us an opportunity to connect

connect

connect hip-hop culture is the culmination of

hip-hop culture is the culmination of

hip-hop culture is the culmination of all of our differences being played at

all of our differences being played at

all of our differences being played at once hip-hop is another step in the

once hip-hop is another step in the

once hip-hop is another step in the Diaspora of African music and the

Diaspora of African music and the

Diaspora of African music and the Diaspora of African people so to go

Diaspora of African people so to go

Diaspora of African people so to go forward we have to look back and see

forward we have to look back and see

forward we have to look back and see where how we got to our current position

where how we got to our current position

where how we got to our current position diaspora is spreading out of one from

diaspora is spreading out of one from

diaspora is spreading out of one from their origin the spreading of the seed

their origin the spreading of the seed

their origin the spreading of the seed from a tree and if we can understand how

from a tree and if we can understand how

from a tree and if we can understand how hip-hop is functional we can understand

hip-hop is functional we can understand

hip-hop is functional we can understand ourselves though Africa is not

ourselves though Africa is not

ourselves though Africa is not monolithic we understand that in African

monolithic we understand that in African

monolithic we understand that in African society in West African society in

society in West African society in

society in West African society in particular that music is part of

particular that music is part of

particular that music is part of everyday life it is not something just

everyday life it is not something just

everyday life it is not something just to be bought and sold music is in your

to be bought and sold music is in your

to be bought and sold music is in your cooking music is in your cleaning music

cooking music is in your cleaning music

cooking music is in your cleaning music is in your hurting or when you plant

is in your hurting or when you plant

is in your hurting or when you plant seeds music is in the birthing of our

seeds music is in the birthing of our

seeds music is in the birthing of our children and when our elders pass on so

children and when our elders pass on so

children and when our elders pass on so what does it mean to have a song within

what does it mean to have a song within

what does it mean to have a song within ourselves what does it mean when we can

ourselves what does it mean when we can

ourselves what does it mean when we can understand our heartbeat and connect

understand our heartbeat and connect

understand our heartbeat and connect through that heart a few years ago I put

through that heart a few years ago I put

through that heart a few years ago I put out a project called Pangea with the

out a project called Pangea with the

out a project called Pangea with the producer by the name of big cats and if

producer by the name of big cats and if

producer by the name of big cats and if anybody understands the Pangaea theory

anybody understands the Pangaea theory

anybody understands the Pangaea theory and many scientists have hypothesized

and many scientists have hypothesized

and many scientists have hypothesized that 300 million years ago the entire

that 300 million years ago the entire

that 300 million years ago the entire planet was one supercontinent and on the

planet was one supercontinent and on the

planet was one supercontinent and on the supercontinent you had one large mass

supercontinent you had one large mass

supercontinent you had one large mass and through a series of violent events

and through a series of violent events

and through a series of violent events each of the continents began to divide

each of the continents began to divide

each of the continents began to divide so what you’ll see is that through these

so what you’ll see is that through these

so what you’ll see is that through these violent events that include ice ages the

violent events that include ice ages the

violent events that include ice ages the receding of the waters comets hitting

receding of the waters comets hitting

receding of the waters comets hitting the earth plate tectonic shifts and

the earth plate tectonic shifts and

the earth plate tectonic shifts and volcanoes that these violent events

volcanoes that these violent events

volcanoes that these violent events caused the separation by looking at the

caused the separation by looking at the

caused the separation by looking at the shores of all of these continents you

shores of all of these continents you

shores of all of these continents you will find similarities in the rock

will find similarities in the rock

will find similarities in the rock formation in the plant life in the

formation in the plant life in the

formation in the plant life in the marine life in the animal life just the

marine life in the animal life just the

marine life in the animal life just the same we have separated as people we all

same we have separated as people we all

same we have separated as people we all come from a similar in same origin and

come from a similar in same origin and

come from a similar in same origin and through a series of violent events we

through a series of violent events we

through a series of violent events we have separated whether it be war famine

have separated whether it be war famine

have separated whether it be war famine sexual violence the idea of religion of

sexual violence the idea of religion of

sexual violence the idea of religion of picking one idea over another or this

picking one idea over another or this

picking one idea over another or this millimeter of skin so what happens when

millimeter of skin so what happens when

millimeter of skin so what happens when we start to see ourselves as one human

we start to see ourselves as one human

we start to see ourselves as one human race what are the possibilities when we

race what are the possibilities when we

race what are the possibilities when we reconnect to each other hip hop as a

reconnect to each other hip hop as a

reconnect to each other hip hop as a culture is fully integrated it is the

culture is fully integrated it is the

culture is fully integrated it is the words that you say it is the music that

words that you say it is the music that

words that you say it is the music that you play the words I say as an MC or a

you play the words I say as an MC or a

you play the words I say as an MC or a master of ceremonies or a spoken word

master of ceremonies or a spoken word

master of ceremonies or a spoken word poet it is the music through as a DJ or

poet it is the music through as a DJ or

poet it is the music through as a DJ or a producer it is the movement of your

a producer it is the movement of your

a producer it is the movement of your body as a hip-hop dancer or breakdancer

body as a hip-hop dancer or breakdancer

body as a hip-hop dancer or breakdancer b-boy a b-girl it is your visual

b-boy a b-girl it is your visual

b-boy a b-girl it is your visual representation whether you are painting

representation whether you are painting

representation whether you are painting a mural on the wall or your painting on

a mural on the wall or your painting on

a mural on the wall or your painting on a train so that it could travel

a train so that it could travel

a train so that it could travel throughout the world and show people

throughout the world and show people

throughout the world and show people your importance in other places my

your importance in other places my

your importance in other places my experience as a hip-hop artists started

experience as a hip-hop artists started

experience as a hip-hop artists started at the age of 14 growing up in North

at the age of 14 growing up in North

at the age of 14 growing up in North Minneapolis at a time when North

Minneapolis at a time when North

Minneapolis at a time when North Minneapolis was given the title murder

Minneapolis was given the title murder

Minneapolis was given the title murder apolis I knew that to be a title but I

apolis I knew that to be a title but I

apolis I knew that to be a title but I didn’t see it in my home I didn’t see it

didn’t see it in my home I didn’t see it

didn’t see it in my home I didn’t see it in my friends I didn’t see it in my

in my friends I didn’t see it in my

in my friends I didn’t see it in my neighbors and I wondered how this box it

neighbors and I wondered how this box it

neighbors and I wondered how this box it and created around me without me knowing

so I had a choice there are two things

so I had a choice there are two things that I could do I could stay and believe

that I could do I could stay and believe

that I could do I could stay and believe that whatever this stereotype or idea

that whatever this stereotype or idea

that whatever this stereotype or idea about me was was to be true or i could

about me was was to be true or i could

about me was was to be true or i could venture out and start to speak for my

venture out and start to speak for my

venture out and start to speak for my I would sit on my porch and I’ll play

I would sit on my porch and I’ll play

I would sit on my porch and I’ll play this boombox we still call boom boxes

this boombox we still call boom boxes

this boombox we still call boom boxes the speaker neither the stereo system so

the speaker neither the stereo system so

the speaker neither the stereo system so predecessor to the ipod okay so i will

predecessor to the ipod okay so i will

predecessor to the ipod okay so i will play this boombox on my porch and there

play this boombox on my porch and there

play this boombox on my porch and there are two main things i would do in the

are two main things i would do in the

are two main things i would do in the summer so i’ll play the music on my

summer so i’ll play the music on my

summer so i’ll play the music on my porch or ihop on this little ugly

porch or ihop on this little ugly

porch or ihop on this little ugly scooter ahead and I ride as far as I

scooter ahead and I ride as far as I

scooter ahead and I ride as far as I could before it got dark and I would

could before it got dark and I would

could before it got dark and I would come back home now there’s two things

come back home now there’s two things

come back home now there’s two things that I was doing it subconsciously I

that I was doing it subconsciously I

that I was doing it subconsciously I didn’t know it until later in life I was

didn’t know it until later in life I was

didn’t know it until later in life I was one riding as far as I possibly could to

one riding as far as I possibly could to

one riding as far as I possibly could to see the possibilities that existed

see the possibilities that existed

see the possibilities that existed outside of my neighborhood and to I was

outside of my neighborhood and to I was

outside of my neighborhood and to I was listening to other people’s

listening to other people’s

listening to other people’s possibilities I was able to transplant

possibilities I was able to transplant

possibilities I was able to transplant myself to other places in the world one

myself to other places in the world one

myself to other places in the world one minute I would be in staten island with

minute I would be in staten island with

minute I would be in staten island with wu-tang clan in the next minute i would

wu-tang clan in the next minute i would

wu-tang clan in the next minute i would be in Compton with NWA and then I would

be in Compton with NWA and then I would

be in Compton with NWA and then I would be in Chicago with twister common and

be in Chicago with twister common and

be in Chicago with twister common and then I would be in houston with UGK and

then I would be in houston with UGK and

then I would be in houston with UGK and all of these look him up the good so I

all of these look him up the good so I

all of these look him up the good so I got to travel to all these places

got to travel to all these places

got to travel to all these places outside of my home and ice and I felt my

outside of my home and ice and I felt my

outside of my home and ice and I felt my home I could go to Paris and hear people

home I could go to Paris and hear people

home I could go to Paris and hear people like MC solaar speaking in French and

like MC solaar speaking in French and

like MC solaar speaking in French and not have any idea what they were saying

not have any idea what they were saying

not have any idea what they were saying but I knew I could feel them so what

but I knew I could feel them so what

but I knew I could feel them so what happens when we start to feel and not

happens when we start to feel and not

happens when we start to feel and not just pay attention to what’s on the

just pay attention to what’s on the

just pay attention to what’s on the surface throughout my life I’ve been

surface throughout my life I’ve been

surface throughout my life I’ve been able to travel to so many places across

able to travel to so many places across

able to travel to so many places across the world and interact with so many

the world and interact with so many

the world and interact with so many beautiful people many look exactly well

beautiful people many look exactly well

beautiful people many look exactly well not exactly like me many look like me by

not exactly like me many look like me by

not exactly like me many look like me by skin definition many look totally

skin definition many look totally

skin definition many look totally different by skin definition many speak

different by skin definition many speak

different by skin definition many speak the same language others do not but what

the same language others do not but what

the same language others do not but what I would happen is in all of these

I would happen is in all of these

I would happen is in all of these different places i was able to interact

different places i was able to interact

different places i was able to interact with people and big groups

with people and big groups

with people and big groups like right now today I was able to have

like right now today I was able to have

like right now today I was able to have the sum total of my life experiences

the sum total of my life experiences

the sum total of my life experiences pulled together and put on a platter for

pulled together and put on a platter for

pulled together and put on a platter for people to digest and I could get

people to digest and I could get

people to digest and I could get response in real time how am i doing you

response in real time how am i doing you

response in real time how am i doing you make me feel better about myself so as a

make me feel better about myself so as a

make me feel better about myself so as a performer you’re able to interact with

performer you’re able to interact with

performer you’re able to interact with diverse audiences you’re able to do so

diverse audiences you’re able to do so

diverse audiences you’re able to do so much more than then just writing

much more than then just writing

much more than then just writing something and sending it out into the

something and sending it out into the

something and sending it out into the world if I’m able to reach out to you

world if I’m able to reach out to you

world if I’m able to reach out to you and interact with you and touch you I

and interact with you and touch you I

and interact with you and touch you I can prove that I’m real I can prove that

can prove that I’m real I can prove that

can prove that I’m real I can prove that I exist and so many of young so many

I exist and so many of young so many

I exist and so many of young so many young people just want to prove that

young people just want to prove that

young people just want to prove that they exist I’m going to show you

they exist I’m going to show you

they exist I’m going to show you something as a teacher I’ve been able to

something as a teacher I’ve been able to

something as a teacher I’ve been able to work with young people from across the

work with young people from across the

work with young people from across the world I’m the department head of the

world I’m the department head of the

world I’m the department head of the first fully accredited hip-hop Studies

first fully accredited hip-hop Studies

first fully accredited hip-hop Studies program at mcnally smith college of

program at mcnally smith college of

program at mcnally smith college of music

music

music [Applause]

and I’ve been able to work with kids

and I’ve been able to work with kids from India to Finland to Connecticut

from India to Finland to Connecticut

from India to Finland to Connecticut Alabama all across the united states all

Alabama all across the united states all

Alabama all across the united states all across the world and they all come with

across the world and they all come with

across the world and they all come with a similar story nobody believes that I

a similar story nobody believes that I

a similar story nobody believes that I can do this thank you nobody believes

can do this thank you nobody believes

can do this thank you nobody believes that I can tell my story in my own voice

that I can tell my story in my own voice

that I can tell my story in my own voice and for it to be believed and for it to

and for it to be believed and for it to

and for it to be believed and for it to be valid and respected so here’s an

be valid and respected so here’s an

be valid and respected so here’s an example

so that was ill win in theory so ill

so that was ill win in theory so ill ones from Dayton Ohio and theories from

ones from Dayton Ohio and theories from

ones from Dayton Ohio and theories from Indiana and to some people that’s just a

Indiana and to some people that’s just a

Indiana and to some people that’s just a silly hamburger helper commercial right

silly hamburger helper commercial right

silly hamburger helper commercial right and it is right we had a relationship

and it is right we had a relationship

and it is right we had a relationship between general mills and the hamburger

between general mills and the hamburger

between general mills and the hamburger helper team and mcnally smith College of

helper team and mcnally smith College of

helper team and mcnally smith College of Music where we worked over two semesters

Music where we worked over two semesters

Music where we worked over two semesters to develop original work and this

to develop original work and this

to develop original work and this original work got released on April

original work got released on April

original work got released on April fools day of this year that music became

fools day of this year that music became

fools day of this year that music became the number one trending topic on Twitter

the number one trending topic on Twitter

the number one trending topic on Twitter it was beach worldwide it was featured

it was beach worldwide it was featured

it was beach worldwide it was featured on The Today Show in Time magazine it

on The Today Show in Time magazine it

on The Today Show in Time magazine it was called one of the biggest viral ad

was called one of the biggest viral ad

was called one of the biggest viral ad campaigns of 2016 it it received to

campaigns of 2016 it it received to

campaigns of 2016 it it received to Cannes Lions silver awards in France and

Cannes Lions silver awards in France and

Cannes Lions silver awards in France and helped propel these artists to the next

helped propel these artists to the next

helped propel these artists to the next Plateau in their life with 10 million

Plateau in their life with 10 million

Plateau in their life with 10 million listens of their album

so imagine what we could sell if we had

so imagine what we could sell if we had support right so think of what do you

support right so think of what do you

support right so think of what do you want sold what kind of messages do you

want sold what kind of messages do you

want sold what kind of messages do you want to go throughout the world and how

want to go throughout the world and how

want to go throughout the world and how do you carry those messages where people

do you carry those messages where people

do you carry those messages where people actually listen to you I’ve been able to

actually listen to you I’ve been able to

actually listen to you I’ve been able to travel to so many beautiful places and

travel to so many beautiful places and

travel to so many beautiful places and meet so many beautiful people as a

meet so many beautiful people as a

meet so many beautiful people as a diplomat as a as someone that is an

diplomat as a as someone that is an

diplomat as a as someone that is an ambassador of hip hop as an art form

ambassador of hip hop as an art form

ambassador of hip hop as an art form working in places like Kenema in

working in places like Kenema in

working in places like Kenema in Freetown Sierra Leone with young artists

Freetown Sierra Leone with young artists

Freetown Sierra Leone with young artists who are all going through the same thing

who are all going through the same thing

who are all going through the same thing wanting to be heard and wanted to be

wanting to be heard and wanted to be

wanting to be heard and wanted to be respected and being able to develop

respected and being able to develop

respected and being able to develop their own work and display it back for

their own work and display it back for

their own work and display it back for their community and finally for them is

their community and finally for them is

their community and finally for them is to hear you’re really good I never knew

to hear you’re really good I never knew

to hear you’re really good I never knew you were that good and for them to be

you were that good and for them to be

you were that good and for them to be able to feed themselves from their art

able to feed themselves from their art

able to feed themselves from their art to go into northern gulu in uganda and

to go into northern gulu in uganda and

to go into northern gulu in uganda and working with heels a health education

working with heels a health education

working with heels a health education literacy and sports program with former

literacy and sports program with former

literacy and sports program with former child soldiers that have escaped the

child soldiers that have escaped the

child soldiers that have escaped the Lord’s Resistance Army who’s the who’s

Lord’s Resistance Army who’s the who’s

Lord’s Resistance Army who’s the who’s main focus was to be educated and to

main focus was to be educated and to

main focus was to be educated and to play and when they got out of the lra

play and when they got out of the lra

play and when they got out of the lra what did they want to play the most hip

what did they want to play the most hip

what did they want to play the most hip hop so we started a program with break

hop so we started a program with break

hop so we started a program with break dance project Uganda that still exists

dance project Uganda that still exists

dance project Uganda that still exists for six years now with young people

for six years now with young people

for six years now with young people coming out of civil war and having

coming out of civil war and having

coming out of civil war and having something to believe in

and right in our own backyard being able

and right in our own backyard being able to go to places like Winona st. cloud

to go to places like Winona st. cloud

to go to places like Winona st. cloud and work with young people who don’t

and work with young people who don’t

and work with young people who don’t feel like anybody cares and they’re

feel like anybody cares and they’re

feel like anybody cares and they’re bored to death and when you’re bored

bored to death and when you’re bored

bored to death and when you’re bored what do you do when you’re bored there’s

what do you do when you’re bored there’s

what do you do when you’re bored there’s so many options so ask yourself how do

so many options so ask yourself how do

so many options so ask yourself how do you connect people to doing what they

you connect people to doing what they

you connect people to doing what they already can do and what they want to do

already can do and what they want to do

already can do and what they want to do rather than forcing them into being

rather than forcing them into being

rather than forcing them into being someone that they’re not today I’m able

someone that they’re not today I’m able

someone that they’re not today I’m able to use my platform as a vice president

to use my platform as a vice president

to use my platform as a vice president of so tools entertainment multimedia

of so tools entertainment multimedia

of so tools entertainment multimedia company we do a lot of interactive work

company we do a lot of interactive work

company we do a lot of interactive work through multimedia whether it’s

through multimedia whether it’s

through multimedia whether it’s releasing projects or film and we’re

releasing projects or film and we’re

releasing projects or film and we’re able to connect with people across the

able to connect with people across the

able to connect with people across the world through this idea of diplomacy

world through this idea of diplomacy

world through this idea of diplomacy traditionally as you can see diplomacy

traditionally as you can see diplomacy

traditionally as you can see diplomacy is seen as the work of maintaining good

is seen as the work of maintaining good

is seen as the work of maintaining good relationships between nations and that’s

relationships between nations and that’s

relationships between nations and that’s usually done through the diplomats that

usually done through the diplomats that

usually done through the diplomats that come from the governments of a nation

come from the governments of a nation

come from the governments of a nation and if anybody knows about the United

and if anybody knows about the United

and if anybody knows about the United States relationship with the rest of the

States relationship with the rest of the

States relationship with the rest of the world sometimes we’re not always invited

world sometimes we’re not always invited

world sometimes we’re not always invited so what would happen if we sent people

so what would happen if we sent people

so what would happen if we sent people that had a relationship through the

that had a relationship through the

that had a relationship through the heart this idea called track to

heart this idea called track to

heart this idea called track to diplomacy in a book called foreign

diplomacy in a book called foreign

diplomacy in a book called foreign policy according to Freud track to

policy according to Freud track to

policy according to Freud track to diplomacy refers to non-governmental

diplomacy refers to non-governmental

diplomacy refers to non-governmental people coming together to take our loves

people coming together to take our loves

people coming together to take our loves and our passions and actually build

and our passions and actually build

and our passions and actually build based on them based on our our belief in

based on them based on our our belief in

based on them based on our our belief in music and dance in art what can happen

music and dance in art what can happen

music and dance in art what can happen if I shared a song with you and a dance

if I shared a song with you and a dance

if I shared a song with you and a dance with you and I spoke my truth to you no

with you and I spoke my truth to you no

with you and I spoke my truth to you no matter how ugly it was or how beautiful

matter how ugly it was or how beautiful

matter how ugly it was or how beautiful but as long as it was true

but as long as it was true

but as long as it was true would you believe me would you break

would you believe me would you break

would you believe me would you break bread with me we are in this place in a

bread with me we are in this place in a

bread with me we are in this place in a very critical moment in history I don’t

very critical moment in history I don’t

very critical moment in history I don’t know if anybody’s been paying attention

know if anybody’s been paying attention

know if anybody’s been paying attention to the news like you have a choice we’re

to the news like you have a choice we’re

to the news like you have a choice we’re at this critical moment where I’ve never

at this critical moment where I’ve never

at this critical moment where I’ve never felt such divisive pneus such division

felt such divisive pneus such division

felt such divisive pneus such division in my entire life and it’s already hard

in my entire life and it’s already hard

in my entire life and it’s already hard enough just being me what are we going

enough just being me what are we going

enough just being me what are we going to do to make sure that we reconnect

to do to make sure that we reconnect

to do to make sure that we reconnect with our heart what are we going to do

with our heart what are we going to do

with our heart what are we going to do to make sure that we can share a song we

to make sure that we can share a song we

to make sure that we can share a song we can share a dance and we can make new

can share a dance and we can make new

can share a dance and we can make new memories for our children to carry on

memories for our children to carry on

memories for our children to carry on into the future thank you

into the future thank you

into the future thank you [Applause]