I grew up in a small town in a rural village in Indonesia 10,000 miles away
village in Indonesia 10,000 miles away
village in Indonesia 10,000 miles away from here my father is a small factory
from here my father is a small factory
from here my father is a small factory worker and he is also a local Imam at a
worker and he is also a local Imam at a
worker and he is also a local Imam at a local mosque my mom works at home and I
local mosque my mom works at home and I
local mosque my mom works at home and I have two brothers an older one and a
have two brothers an older one and a
have two brothers an older one and a younger one as a family we would go to
younger one as a family we would go to
younger one as a family we would go to attend Friday prayers fast during
attend Friday prayers fast during
attend Friday prayers fast during Ramadan and I also listened to my
Ramadan and I also listened to my
Ramadan and I also listened to my brothers as they delivered the call to
brothers as they delivered the call to
brothers as they delivered the call to prayer we’re a simple family living
prayer we’re a simple family living
prayer we’re a simple family living under 200 dollars a month or less
under 200 dollars a month or less
under 200 dollars a month or less my father always brought me home
my father always brought me home
my father always brought me home newspaper for me to read because it was
newspaper for me to read because it was
newspaper for me to read because it was cheap enough and it was also one of his
cheap enough and it was also one of his
cheap enough and it was also one of his only ways of introducing me to the world
only ways of introducing me to the world
only ways of introducing me to the world one day about 15 years ago I was 8 I
one day about 15 years ago I was 8 I
one day about 15 years ago I was 8 I read the headline news it was a picture
read the headline news it was a picture
read the headline news it was a picture of the twin towers engulfed in fire I
of the twin towers engulfed in fire I
of the twin towers engulfed in fire I had never seen an explosion in my life
had never seen an explosion in my life
had never seen an explosion in my life so that picture just haunted me after
so that picture just haunted me after
so that picture just haunted me after that day every time my dad would come
that day every time my dad would come
that day every time my dad would come home from work I would just rush into
home from work I would just rush into
home from work I would just rush into him and then open the global affairs
him and then open the global affairs
him and then open the global affairs section just to know what happened next
section just to know what happened next
section just to know what happened next I followed the news patiently patiently
I followed the news patiently patiently
I followed the news patiently patiently until the day the President of the
until the day the President of the
until the day the President of the United States at that time announced the
United States at that time announced the
United States at that time announced the war and terrorism I had no idea what
war and terrorism I had no idea what
war and terrorism I had no idea what that meant
that meant
that meant so in the following days I saw a footage
so in the following days I saw a footage
so in the following days I saw a footage of a tank coming into the Middle East
of a tank coming into the Middle East
of a tank coming into the Middle East and there were some children running
and there were some children running
and there were some children running around it I suddenly thought of running
around it I suddenly thought of running
around it I suddenly thought of running away from explosions and trying to save
away from explosions and trying to save
away from explosions and trying to save my siblings and not being able to go to
my siblings and not being able to go to
my siblings and not being able to go to school and I asked my mom mum when a war
school and I asked my mom mum when a war
school and I asked my mom mum when a war happens to children what did he do do
happens to children what did he do do
happens to children what did he do do they go to school that day in 3rd grade
they go to school that day in 3rd grade
they go to school that day in 3rd grade that day I saw the footage I just
that day I saw the footage I just
that day I saw the footage I just couldn’t focus at school and my teacher
couldn’t focus at school and my teacher
couldn’t focus at school and my teacher asked me what was wrong and I told her
asked me what was wrong and I told her
asked me what was wrong and I told her well there was war in the Middle East
well there was war in the Middle East
well there was war in the Middle East and to calm me down she took us to a
and to calm me down she took us to a
and to calm me down she took us to a room to pray for the children my prayer
room to pray for the children my prayer
room to pray for the children my prayer was just simple then it was just for my
was just simple then it was just for my
was just simple then it was just for my fellow 8 years old to be safe wherever
fellow 8 years old to be safe wherever
fellow 8 years old to be safe wherever they were and to be able to go to school
they were and to be able to go to school
they were and to be able to go to school but that day my life has changed I
but that day my life has changed I
but that day my life has changed I gradually grew to be more and more
gradually grew to be more and more
gradually grew to be more and more interested in global affairs
interested in global affairs
interested in global affairs international relations I would look up
international relations I would look up
international relations I would look up books in the library borrow newspapers
books in the library borrow newspapers
books in the library borrow newspapers talk to my friends I joined the debate
talk to my friends I joined the debate
talk to my friends I joined the debate team then in high school I was selected
team then in high school I was selected
team then in high school I was selected to participate in a pitch mission
to participate in a pitch mission
to participate in a pitch mission program as a peace ambassador this
program as a peace ambassador this
program as a peace ambassador this program enabled me to go to an American
program enabled me to go to an American
program enabled me to go to an American high school and also to live with an
high school and also to live with an
high school and also to live with an American family when my neighbors in the
American family when my neighbors in the
American family when my neighbors in the village heard about this they were kind
village heard about this they were kind
village heard about this they were kind of confused you see I am the only
of confused you see I am the only
of confused you see I am the only daughter of my family and in fact I’m
daughter of my family and in fact I’m
daughter of my family and in fact I’m the only granddaughter in the extended
the only granddaughter in the extended
the only granddaughter in the extended family so they didn’t understand my
family so they didn’t understand my
family so they didn’t understand my parents decision to let me go to a
parents decision to let me go to a
parents decision to let me go to a foreign land so far away their
foreign land so far away their
foreign land so far away their understanding of the u.s. is that it’s a
understanding of the u.s. is that it’s a
understanding of the u.s. is that it’s a country full of corruption capitalism
country full of corruption capitalism
country full of corruption capitalism and disbelievers and so they told my
and disbelievers and so they told my
and disbelievers and so they told my parents he’ll end up like that I finally
parents he’ll end up like that I finally
parents he’ll end up like that I finally received my dad’s answer during the
received my dad’s answer during the
received my dad’s answer during the farewell event of this program our
farewell event of this program our
farewell event of this program our parents was were asked to put a flag as
parents was were asked to put a flag as
parents was were asked to put a flag as a symbol of our departure I saw my
a symbol of our departure I saw my
a symbol of our departure I saw my father’s eyes as he put on this flag on
father’s eyes as he put on this flag on
father’s eyes as he put on this flag on me and he looked at my eyes and he said
me and he looked at my eyes and he said
me and he looked at my eyes and he said don’t be afraid the Prophet peace be
don’t be afraid the Prophet peace be
don’t be afraid the Prophet peace be upon him encouraged us to travel and to
upon him encouraged us to travel and to
upon him encouraged us to travel and to be Rama tallil alameen which means to
be Rama tallil alameen which means to
be Rama tallil alameen which means to show love and mercy on earth you my
show love and mercy on earth you my
show love and mercy on earth you my daughter at the end of the day is just
daughter at the end of the day is just
daughter at the end of the day is just like another human being you have that
like another human being you have that
like another human being you have that responsibility too you have to show love
responsibility too you have to show love
responsibility too you have to show love to others just like how you love your
to others just like how you love your
to others just like how you love your family and I know you I knew that he saw
family and I know you I knew that he saw
family and I know you I knew that he saw my afraid eyes and that my neighbors
my afraid eyes and that my neighbors
my afraid eyes and that my neighbors were afraid them too I also know that
were afraid them too I also know that
were afraid them too I also know that that what he said to me planted this
that what he said to me planted this
that what he said to me planted this realization within my heart that I have
realization within my heart that I have
realization within my heart that I have that responsibility to to love others
that responsibility to to love others
that responsibility to to love others and to do that the first step for me was
and to do that the first step for me was
and to do that the first step for me was to open myself up my journey in the
to open myself up my journey in the
to open myself up my journey in the United States wasn’t smooth speaking
United States wasn’t smooth speaking
United States wasn’t smooth speaking English 24/7 trying to figure out the
English 24/7 trying to figure out the
English 24/7 trying to figure out the lock
lock
lock system in the back of the school praying
system in the back of the school praying
system in the back of the school praying in the library trying to be quiet but
in the library trying to be quiet but
in the library trying to be quiet but everyone looking at you kind of weird
everyone looking at you kind of weird
everyone looking at you kind of weird why are you worshiping is it full moon
why are you worshiping is it full moon
why are you worshiping is it full moon tonight and it got even harder actually
tonight and it got even harder actually
tonight and it got even harder actually because my first us family fell ill and
because my first us family fell ill and
because my first us family fell ill and I had to originally move from that house
I had to originally move from that house
I had to originally move from that house however all the families that sign up
however all the families that sign up
however all the families that sign up for this program were at full capacity
for this program were at full capacity
for this program were at full capacity so I had to depend on friends homes
so I had to depend on friends homes
so I had to depend on friends homes teachers homes coordinators home and at
teachers homes coordinators home and at
teachers homes coordinators home and at some point it felt like I was homeless
some point it felt like I was homeless
some point it felt like I was homeless and I waited and I waited and I didn’t
and I waited and I waited and I didn’t
and I waited and I waited and I didn’t have a host family and I thought to
have a host family and I thought to
have a host family and I thought to myself do you want to quit and I told
myself do you want to quit and I told
myself do you want to quit and I told myself no I wanted to keep going however
myself no I wanted to keep going however
myself no I wanted to keep going however who would open their home for me a
who would open their home for me a
who would open their home for me a Muslim girl from a foreign country it
Muslim girl from a foreign country it
Muslim girl from a foreign country it was Joseph Malecha Joseph is a friend
was Joseph Malecha Joseph is a friend
was Joseph Malecha Joseph is a friend that I met during lunch period he is
that I met during lunch period he is
that I met during lunch period he is just like another Ohio high school kid
just like another Ohio high school kid
just like another Ohio high school kid wearing Ohio State University t-shirt
wearing Ohio State University t-shirt
wearing Ohio State University t-shirt carrying his skateboard around at school
carrying his skateboard around at school
carrying his skateboard around at school it was just a lunch period and he asked
it was just a lunch period and he asked
it was just a lunch period and he asked me hey how are you doing what are you
me hey how are you doing what are you
me hey how are you doing what are you going through and I told him I don’t
going through and I told him I don’t
going through and I told him I don’t have a host family to continue my
have a host family to continue my
have a host family to continue my program to my surprise he actually told
program to my surprise he actually told
program to my surprise he actually told his parents and his parents offered to
his parents and his parents offered to
his parents and his parents offered to host me in that same week I moved in
host me in that same week I moved in
host me in that same week I moved in with them and suddenly a new page of my
with them and suddenly a new page of my
with them and suddenly a new page of my journey began the Millat Chuck made me
journey began the Millat Chuck made me
journey began the Millat Chuck made me feel like I had always been part of them
feel like I had always been part of them
feel like I had always been part of them knowing I’m a Muslim and I don’t eat
knowing I’m a Muslim and I don’t eat
knowing I’m a Muslim and I don’t eat pork they actually did not cook pork the
pork they actually did not cook pork the
pork they actually did not cook pork the whole time I was with them because it’s
whole time I was with them because it’s
whole time I was with them because it’s the rules of the majek family not to eat
the rules of the majek family not to eat
the rules of the majek family not to eat something that one family member could
something that one family member could
something that one family member could not eat but I mean imagine they
not eat but I mean imagine they
not eat but I mean imagine they practically gave up bacon would you do
practically gave up bacon would you do
practically gave up bacon would you do that I remember taking Katy from school
that I remember taking Katy from school
that I remember taking Katy from school and she was in the elementary school at
and she was in the elementary school at
and she was in the elementary school at that time and she screamed at me showing
that time and she screamed at me showing
that time and she screamed at me showing off me to her friends she’s my sister
off me to her friends she’s my sister
off me to her friends she’s my sister and then her friends were like but she’s
and then her friends were like but she’s
and then her friends were like but she’s so 10 though how is he your sister and
so 10 though how is he your sister and
so 10 though how is he your sister and then Katie said she just is so ever
then Katie said she just is so ever
then Katie said she just is so ever since Joseph opened his family’s door to
since Joseph opened his family’s door to
since Joseph opened his family’s door to me I learned one thing that we could be
me I learned one thing that we could be
me I learned one thing that we could be family with people that have not
family with people that have not
family with people that have not thing to do with how you look that you
thing to do with how you look that you
thing to do with how you look that you could create that deep connection with
could create that deep connection with
could create that deep connection with someone as long as you open yourself up
someone as long as you open yourself up
someone as long as you open yourself up to one another halfway through my
to one another halfway through my
to one another halfway through my program
program
program Joseph was graduating and he decided to
Joseph was graduating and he decided to
Joseph was graduating and he decided to join the u.s. army around the same time
join the u.s. army around the same time
join the u.s. army around the same time I won an essay contest held by my piece
I won an essay contest held by my piece
I won an essay contest held by my piece mission program and I got the chance to
mission program and I got the chance to
mission program and I got the chance to attend a week-long leadership training
attend a week-long leadership training
attend a week-long leadership training in Washington DC while I was in DC I
in Washington DC while I was in DC I
in Washington DC while I was in DC I found out that actually my program that
found out that actually my program that
found out that actually my program that my piece mission program was funded by
my piece mission program was funded by
my piece mission program was funded by Congress as a response to 9/11 that same
Congress as a response to 9/11 that same
Congress as a response to 9/11 that same week too I got to attend an open foreign
week too I got to attend an open foreign
week too I got to attend an open foreign affairs budgeting meeting with secretary
affairs budgeting meeting with secretary
affairs budgeting meeting with secretary Hillary Clinton and they were discussing
Hillary Clinton and they were discussing
Hillary Clinton and they were discussing the war on terrorism in the Middle East
the war on terrorism in the Middle East
the war on terrorism in the Middle East I suddenly I sat there in that room and
I suddenly I sat there in that room and
I suddenly I sat there in that room and I felt very conflicted I was sitting
I felt very conflicted I was sitting
I felt very conflicted I was sitting there as a direct result of Congress
there as a direct result of Congress
there as a direct result of Congress funding my program that was a response
funding my program that was a response
funding my program that was a response to an event that took on so many lives
to an event that took on so many lives
to an event that took on so many lives and I was also sitting there that time
and I was also sitting there that time
and I was also sitting there that time assists as a sister with my brother
assists as a sister with my brother
assists as a sister with my brother about to entering the army and may well
about to entering the army and may well
about to entering the army and may well serve in a war zone in the future
serve in a war zone in the future
serve in a war zone in the future and I asked myself is this what it means
and I asked myself is this what it means
and I asked myself is this what it means to discover our common humanity what I
to discover our common humanity what I
to discover our common humanity what I mean by our common humanity is the fact
mean by our common humanity is the fact
mean by our common humanity is the fact that we’re all humans and we’re all
that we’re all humans and we’re all
that we’re all humans and we’re all connected and because we’re all humans
connected and because we’re all humans
connected and because we’re all humans that must mean that we’re bound to be
that must mean that we’re bound to be
that must mean that we’re bound to be able to feel the same sense of
able to feel the same sense of
able to feel the same sense of contentment the same need of safety and
contentment the same need of safety and
contentment the same need of safety and that we all we all want to belong at
that we all we all want to belong at
that we all we all want to belong at some point to someone we’re all
some point to someone we’re all
some point to someone we’re all connected because one event has nothing
connected because one event has nothing
connected because one event has nothing to do with you could impact you whether
to do with you could impact you whether
to do with you could impact you whether you realize it or not or whether you
you realize it or not or whether you
you realize it or not or whether you realize it now or much later and then I
realize it now or much later and then I
realize it now or much later and then I was sitting there both as a Muslim girl
was sitting there both as a Muslim girl
was sitting there both as a Muslim girl that often has to defend her own faith
that often has to defend her own faith
that often has to defend her own faith cuz of what had happened but that same
cuz of what had happened but that same
cuz of what had happened but that same event now made me feel concerned because
event now made me feel concerned because
event now made me feel concerned because my brother is about to enter the army
my brother is about to enter the army
my brother is about to enter the army and may well serve in a war zone because
and may well serve in a war zone because
and may well serve in a war zone because of that same event because of that too I
of that same event because of that too I
of that same event because of that too I realized that our common humanity also
realized that our common humanity also
realized that our common humanity also has challenges although we’re able to
has challenges although we’re able to
has challenges although we’re able to feel some sense of contentment safety
feel some sense of contentment safety
feel some sense of contentment safety and also sense of belonging but the way
and also sense of belonging but the way
and also sense of belonging but the way we choose to achieve those senses could
we choose to achieve those senses could
we choose to achieve those senses could be different and although we’re all
be different and although we’re all
be different and although we’re all impacted we could be impacted by this
impacted we could be impacted by this
impacted we could be impacted by this one event the way we choose to react to
one event the way we choose to react to
one event the way we choose to react to this event could also be different
this event could also be different
this event could also be different Joseph and I would often be in the car
Joseph and I would often be in the car
Joseph and I would often be in the car and we would debate about world affairs
and we would debate about world affairs
and we would debate about world affairs we would fall in a completely driven up
we would fall in a completely driven up
we would fall in a completely driven up different opposite views I would argue
different opposite views I would argue
different opposite views I would argue that we don’t need any of this war we
that we don’t need any of this war we
that we don’t need any of this war we don’t need any of these violence and he
don’t need any of these violence and he
don’t need any of these violence and he would argue that no sometimes we need to
would argue that no sometimes we need to
would argue that no sometimes we need to be armed in order to do what’s right and
be armed in order to do what’s right and
be armed in order to do what’s right and to protect others and we would debate
to protect others and we would debate
to protect others and we would debate and debate like there’s no tomorrow but
and debate like there’s no tomorrow but
and debate like there’s no tomorrow but at the end of the day we’ll make that
at the end of the day we’ll make that
at the end of the day we’ll make that turn in the corner of the street and
turn in the corner of the street and
turn in the corner of the street and realize that actually we were both in
realize that actually we were both in
realize that actually we were both in that car to get some icecream and so
that car to get some icecream and so
that car to get some icecream and so we’ll end the debate and be like get off
we’ll end the debate and be like get off
we’ll end the debate and be like get off and just get my our ice cream and just
and just get my our ice cream and just
and just get my our ice cream and just go home happily that made me think as
go home happily that made me think as
go home happily that made me think as well then as our common humanity we’re
well then as our common humanity we’re
well then as our common humanity we’re able to find that common ground at the
able to find that common ground at the
able to find that common ground at the end of the day our humanity continues to
end of the day our humanity continues to
end of the day our humanity continues to exist because we can get out of our own
exist because we can get out of our own
exist because we can get out of our own self and start thinking about the bigger
self and start thinking about the bigger
self and start thinking about the bigger picture if it’s true that one event like
picture if it’s true that one event like
picture if it’s true that one event like 9/11 could impact us all it must be also
9/11 could impact us all it must be also
9/11 could impact us all it must be also true that the small act that you do
true that the small act that you do
true that the small act that you do every day
every day
every day and create the ripple of changes within
and create the ripple of changes within
and create the ripple of changes within our common humanity at the end of the
our common humanity at the end of the
our common humanity at the end of the day I am a living proof of that act of
day I am a living proof of that act of
day I am a living proof of that act of kindness the act of Congress sponsoring
kindness the act of Congress sponsoring
kindness the act of Congress sponsoring this program has changed my life the
this program has changed my life the
this program has changed my life the small act of kindness that Joseph did by
small act of kindness that Joseph did by
small act of kindness that Joseph did by telling his parents about me and opening
telling his parents about me and opening
telling his parents about me and opening up their doors for me also changed my
up their doors for me also changed my
up their doors for me also changed my life and because of that I want to do
life and because of that I want to do
life and because of that I want to do that small little change of kindness too
that small little change of kindness too
that small little change of kindness too with this spirit I started joining a lot
with this spirit I started joining a lot
with this spirit I started joining a lot of social impacts bro
of social impacts bro
of social impacts bro I helped build a library in a rural
I helped build a library in a rural
I helped build a library in a rural village in my country I also built music
village in my country I also built music
village in my country I also built music programs for the homeless shelters in
programs for the homeless shelters in
programs for the homeless shelters in New York City lately I’ve been working a
New York City lately I’ve been working a
New York City lately I’ve been working a lot on survivors of human trafficking
lot on survivors of human trafficking
lot on survivors of human trafficking empowerment program in Jakarta it’s
empowerment program in Jakarta it’s
empowerment program in Jakarta it’s called buchumi where we train survivors
called buchumi where we train survivors
called buchumi where we train survivors human trafficking to learn to get back
human trafficking to learn to get back
human trafficking to learn to get back on their feet again because of this
on their feet again because of this
on their feet again because of this project – in New York City I was able to
project – in New York City I was able to
project – in New York City I was able to work with a similar organization
work with a similar organization
work with a similar organization empowering human trafficking survivors
empowering human trafficking survivors
empowering human trafficking survivors working on social impacts social issues
working on social impacts social issues
working on social impacts social issues made me think that you know what a
made me think that you know what a
made me think that you know what a problem in one city is not an isolation
problem in one city is not an isolation
problem in one city is not an isolation from the world human trafficking
from the world human trafficking
from the world human trafficking happening in Jakarta is not an
happening in Jakarta is not an
happening in Jakarta is not an installation – what’s actually happening
installation – what’s actually happening
installation – what’s actually happening in a global scale but at the same time
in a global scale but at the same time
in a global scale but at the same time learning about one issue can help you
learning about one issue can help you
learning about one issue can help you learn about what’s going on in the
learn about what’s going on in the
learn about what’s going on in the different parts of the world with the
different parts of the world with the
different parts of the world with the spirit of opening myself up I also join
spirit of opening myself up I also join
spirit of opening myself up I also join an NYU Abu Dhabi a school where my peers
an NYU Abu Dhabi a school where my peers
an NYU Abu Dhabi a school where my peers come from a hundred countries more I did
come from a hundred countries more I did
come from a hundred countries more I did a study away program again in Belgium
a study away program again in Belgium
a study away program again in Belgium where I got to live with the Coneheads
where I got to live with the Coneheads
where I got to live with the Coneheads family the Coonrod family opened their
family the Coonrod family opened their
family the Coonrod family opened their door for me to learn French and also to
door for me to learn French and also to
door for me to learn French and also to learn about European Union when I shared
learn about European Union when I shared
learn about European Union when I shared with them that I joined a lot of social
with them that I joined a lot of social
with them that I joined a lot of social impacts project
impacts project
impacts project they showed me films about social
they showed me films about social
they showed me films about social empowerment took me to organizations
empowerment took me to organizations
empowerment took me to organizations that do empowerment they invested in my
that do empowerment they invested in my
that do empowerment they invested in my project and they were actually more
project and they were actually more
project and they were actually more excited that I was being with the
excited that I was being with the
excited that I was being with the Coneheads family made me learn that
Coneheads family made me learn that
Coneheads family made me learn that actually as well it doesn’t matter where
actually as well it doesn’t matter where
actually as well it doesn’t matter where you are it doesn’t matter who you are
you are it doesn’t matter who you are
you are it doesn’t matter who you are the act of kindness of them showing me
the act of kindness of them showing me
the act of kindness of them showing me about all this information giving me
about all this information giving me
about all this information giving me feedback on my brainstorming session
feedback on my brainstorming session
feedback on my brainstorming session helped me better understand my idea and
helped me better understand my idea and
helped me better understand my idea and then I carry their impacts forward in my
then I carry their impacts forward in my
then I carry their impacts forward in my projects and I wouldn’t be able to feel
projects and I wouldn’t be able to feel
projects and I wouldn’t be able to feel all of this had my parents never let me
all of this had my parents never let me
all of this had my parents never let me go
and I would never be able to feel all of
and I would never be able to feel all of this if it’s just the fear that I’m
this if it’s just the fear that I’m
this if it’s just the fear that I’m following if it’s the fear of my
following if it’s the fear of my
following if it’s the fear of my neighbors for example fear and ignorance
neighbors for example fear and ignorance
neighbors for example fear and ignorance are the prisons within our own
are the prisons within our own
are the prisons within our own understanding they prevent us from
understanding they prevent us from
understanding they prevent us from seeing us as our common humanity in a
seeing us as our common humanity in a
seeing us as our common humanity in a bigger picture and to fight this is to
bigger picture and to fight this is to
bigger picture and to fight this is to get out of our own comfort zone to be
get out of our own comfort zone to be
get out of our own comfort zone to be another Joseph Milotic who just asked
another Joseph Milotic who just asked
another Joseph Milotic who just asked that one more question to be my parents
that one more question to be my parents
that one more question to be my parents or more parents in the world to
or more parents in the world to
or more parents in the world to encourage young girls to discover the
encourage young girls to discover the
encourage young girls to discover the world and to ask us a question every day
world and to ask us a question every day
world and to ask us a question every day on how to let others live beyond our own
on how to let others live beyond our own
on how to let others live beyond our own judgement as I was preparing for this
judgement as I was preparing for this
judgement as I was preparing for this talk I actually feed yo called Joseph
talk I actually feed yo called Joseph
talk I actually feed yo called Joseph and I told him hey bro
and I told him hey bro
and I told him hey bro so I practice my talk and my friends
so I practice my talk and my friends
so I practice my talk and my friends were wondering how is it like to have a
were wondering how is it like to have a
were wondering how is it like to have a Muslim sister and he made a strange face
Muslim sister and he made a strange face
Muslim sister and he made a strange face and he said that question is wrong and
and he said that question is wrong and
and he said that question is wrong and I’m like how is that wrong and he said
I’m like how is that wrong and he said
I’m like how is that wrong and he said why does it matter to have any label
why does it matter to have any label
why does it matter to have any label before the word sister the question
before the word sister the question
before the word sister the question should be how is it like to have a
should be how is it like to have a
should be how is it like to have a sister and your brothers at home would
sister and your brothers at home would
sister and your brothers at home would know actually any brother in the world
know actually any brother in the world
know actually any brother in the world would know how is it like to have a
would know how is it like to have a
would know how is it like to have a sister it really sucks and you still owe
sister it really sucks and you still owe
sister it really sucks and you still owe me a lot of ice creams but you’re still
me a lot of ice creams but you’re still
me a lot of ice creams but you’re still my sister so we support each other this
my sister so we support each other this
my sister so we support each other this day last year I got an assignment in my
day last year I got an assignment in my
day last year I got an assignment in my principles of marketing class to attend
principles of marketing class to attend
principles of marketing class to attend ground zero to go to ground zero to see
ground zero to go to ground zero to see
ground zero to go to ground zero to see the location eight-year-old deal but
the location eight-year-old deal but
the location eight-year-old deal but never thought that she would actually
never thought that she would actually
never thought that she would actually stand there that day where it all began
stand there that day where it all began
stand there that day where it all began and as I was touching the names on the
and as I was touching the names on the
and as I was touching the names on the dark marble stone I suddenly had a
dark marble stone I suddenly had a
dark marble stone I suddenly had a flashback of the footage of the tanks
flashback of the footage of the tanks
flashback of the footage of the tanks and the children I saw 15 years ago but
and the children I saw 15 years ago but
and the children I saw 15 years ago but something within me has changed you know
something within me has changed you know
something within me has changed you know 15 years ago when I
15 years ago when I
15 years ago when I was eight I made a prayer for the
was eight I made a prayer for the
was eight I made a prayer for the children that day in ground zero I
children that day in ground zero I
children that day in ground zero I realized I needed to pray for so much
realized I needed to pray for so much
realized I needed to pray for so much more I pray for the children but out of
more I pray for the children but out of
more I pray for the children but out of the soldiers I pray for the families who
the soldiers I pray for the families who
the soldiers I pray for the families who lost their loved ones but also the
lost their loved ones but also the
lost their loved ones but also the Muslim community who has had to carry
Muslim community who has had to carry
Muslim community who has had to carry the stereotypes I pray for the reactor
the stereotypes I pray for the reactor
the stereotypes I pray for the reactor month of that the war and the refugees
month of that the war and the refugees
month of that the war and the refugees with no homes and I walk home that day
with no homes and I walk home that day
with no homes and I walk home that day looking up the Stars and I wrote a song
looking up the Stars and I wrote a song
looking up the Stars and I wrote a song called a letter to the stars
this song is a reflection of a daughter
this song is a reflection of a daughter realizing that our common humanity is
realizing that our common humanity is
realizing that our common humanity is beautiful but it has a lot of work to do
[Music]
[Music] what do you see or the wish
what do you hear from above things we
what do you hear from above things we fight all the time
fight all the time
fight all the time [Music]
there’s historian would you share it
there’s historian would you share it with me
the future
the future [Music]
you share it with me
you share it with me [Music]
[Music]
[Music] would you write it with me stars someday
would you write it with me stars someday
would you write it with me stars someday when somebody’s this is the story it’s a
when somebody’s this is the story it’s a
when somebody’s this is the story it’s a story
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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