very side-by-side will stand and always pays thy name to ever
pays thy name to ever
pays thy name to ever earth lend our hearts enhance to help
earth lend our hearts enhance to help
earth lend our hearts enhance to help increase thy face
although lease at high cost for a
although lease at high cost for a loyalty now if I could really sing I
loyalty now if I could really sing I
loyalty now if I could really sing I would say loyalty loyalty three times
would say loyalty loyalty three times
would say loyalty loyalty three times but I’ll just say so cheerful dear Oh II
but I’ll just say so cheerful dear Oh II
but I’ll just say so cheerful dear Oh II sigh huh lead on to victory I thought I
sigh huh lead on to victory I thought I
sigh huh lead on to victory I thought I was auditioning for one of the recap
was auditioning for one of the recap
was auditioning for one of the recap reality TV shows but I guess I’m not
reality TV shows but I guess I’m not
reality TV shows but I guess I’m not today I look around the room and I feel
today I look around the room and I feel
today I look around the room and I feel these Rutgers prep TEDx shirts so I
these Rutgers prep TEDx shirts so I
these Rutgers prep TEDx shirts so I believe this is Rutgers preps headache
believe this is Rutgers preps headache
believe this is Rutgers preps headache so I think I’ll have my seat right now
so I think I’ll have my seat right now
so I think I’ll have my seat right now and just talk to you for a little while
and just talk to you for a little while
and just talk to you for a little while so how many of you have heard that song
so how many of you have heard that song
so how many of you have heard that song before anybody in the room not doing
before anybody in the room not doing
before anybody in the room not doing your audition either but you heard it
your audition either but you heard it
your audition either but you heard it before if you haven’t heard that song
before if you haven’t heard that song
before if you haven’t heard that song before
before
before it’s the Eastside high school alma mater
it’s the Eastside high school alma mater
it’s the Eastside high school alma mater that was made famous back in 1986 by Joe
that was made famous back in 1986 by Joe
that was made famous back in 1986 by Joe Clark the baseball bat Worthing
Clark the baseball bat Worthing
Clark the baseball bat Worthing principal who was a star of the movie
principal who was a star of the movie
principal who was a star of the movie lean on me Joe Clark appeared on the
lean on me Joe Clark appeared on the
lean on me Joe Clark appeared on the cover of Time magazine back in 1986
cover of Time magazine back in 1986
cover of Time magazine back in 1986 because of his no holds bar style East
because of his no holds bar style East
because of his no holds bar style East Side at that time was labeled a
Side at that time was labeled a
Side at that time was labeled a Blackboard Jungle because of its low
Blackboard Jungle because of its low
Blackboard Jungle because of its low test scores drugs crime and violence
test scores drugs crime and violence
test scores drugs crime and violence drugs crime and violence mr. Clark did
drugs crime and violence mr. Clark did
drugs crime and violence mr. Clark did something special though he really
something special though he really
something special though he really introduced the concept of that song that
introduced the concept of that song that
introduced the concept of that song that I just sang
I just sang
I just sang we had some diversity side mostly black
we had some diversity side mostly black
we had some diversity side mostly black students Hispanic students some white
students Hispanic students some white
students Hispanic students some white students and primarily white but some
students and primarily white but some
students and primarily white but some black staff and administrators but it
black staff and administrators but it
black staff and administrators but it didn’t matter who was in the building
didn’t matter who was in the building
didn’t matter who was in the building mr. Clark made it clear that he was in
mr. Clark made it clear that he was in
mr. Clark made it clear that he was in charge as a matter of fact Ronald Reagan
charge as a matter of fact Ronald Reagan
charge as a matter of fact Ronald Reagan was a president at the time I was in
was a president at the time I was in
was a president at the time I was in high school and if he had visited
high school and if he had visited
high school and if he had visited Eastside mr. Clark would let him know
Eastside mr. Clark would let him know
Eastside mr. Clark would let him know that he was the H in I see he coined
that he was the H in I see he coined
that he was the H in I see he coined that term
that term
that term H stands for a head and well he was an
H stands for a head and well he was an
H stands for a head and well he was an african-american male carrying around a
african-american male carrying around a
african-american male carrying around a baseball bat
baseball bat
baseball bat use your imagination as to what that
use your imagination as to what that
use your imagination as to what that term means I see in charge I didn’t
term means I see in charge I didn’t
term means I see in charge I didn’t realize how serious mr. Clark took that
realize how serious mr. Clark took that
realize how serious mr. Clark took that until I called this office 25 years
until I called this office 25 years
until I called this office 25 years later to ask him for a favor and when he
later to ask him for a favor and when he
later to ask him for a favor and when he picked up there was no answering machine
picked up there was no answering machine
picked up there was no answering machine or the ask machine picked up and it said
or the ask machine picked up and it said
or the ask machine picked up and it said welcome to H in IC farms said mr. Clark
welcome to H in IC farms said mr. Clark
welcome to H in IC farms said mr. Clark it’s 25 years later high school is over
it’s 25 years later high school is over
it’s 25 years later high school is over in any event I graduated high school
in any event I graduated high school
in any event I graduated high school almost 30 years ago but that song I just
almost 30 years ago but that song I just
almost 30 years ago but that song I just sang resonates with me even to this day
sang resonates with me even to this day
sang resonates with me even to this day as a matter of fact when I was in the
as a matter of fact when I was in the
as a matter of fact when I was in the green room rehearsing it I started to
green room rehearsing it I started to
green room rehearsing it I started to cry a little bit and I cried not because
cry a little bit and I cried not because
cry a little bit and I cried not because I’m sad but because I’m grateful because
I’m sad but because I’m grateful because
I’m sad but because I’m grateful because I survived that high school experience
I survived that high school experience
I survived that high school experience music and song has a profound way of
music and song has a profound way of
music and song has a profound way of influencing the lenses to which we look
influencing the lenses to which we look
influencing the lenses to which we look at ourselves and the world what if we
at ourselves and the world what if we
at ourselves and the world what if we harness the symmetry of song to create a
harness the symmetry of song to create a
harness the symmetry of song to create a community where everybody feels like a
community where everybody feels like a
community where everybody feels like a valued member of a winning team there
valued member of a winning team there
valued member of a winning team there are lots of songs out there that could
are lots of songs out there that could
are lots of songs out there that could fit the bill but there’s one song in
fit the bill but there’s one song in
fit the bill but there’s one song in particular when I break it down
particular when I break it down
particular when I break it down provides a blueprint that allows us to
provides a blueprint that allows us to
provides a blueprint that allows us to embrace our differences and to change
embrace our differences and to change
embrace our differences and to change the world I don’t mean to undermine or
the world I don’t mean to undermine or
the world I don’t mean to undermine or minimize Oh trivialize it by comparing
minimize Oh trivialize it by comparing
minimize Oh trivialize it by comparing it to this song but the simplicity of it
it to this song but the simplicity of it
it to this song but the simplicity of it is very helpful and helped me to make my
is very helpful and helped me to make my
is very helpful and helped me to make my point with you here today I promise you
point with you here today I promise you
point with you here today I promise you after I finished this you will never
after I finished this you will never
after I finished this you will never ever look at this song the same again
ever look at this song the same again
ever look at this song the same again according to festive legend Santa use
according to festive legend Santa use
according to festive legend Santa use reindeer to God his sleigh through the
reindeer to God his sleigh through the
reindeer to God his sleigh through the night there were eight of them there was
night there were eight of them there was
night there were eight of them there was Dasher and dancer and Prancer and vixen
Dasher and dancer and Prancer and vixen
Dasher and dancer and Prancer and vixen and comet and Cupid and Donner and
and comet and Cupid and Donner and
and comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen who was the most famous of them
Blitzen who was the most famous of them
Blitzen who was the most famous of them all
all
all who was the most famous of them all
who was the most famous of them all
who was the most famous of them all Rudolph I’m use I’m a lawyer as you
Rudolph I’m use I’m a lawyer as you
Rudolph I’m use I’m a lawyer as you heard and I did some research because I
heard and I did some research because I
heard and I did some research because I understood that Rudolph wasn’t a part of
understood that Rudolph wasn’t a part of
understood that Rudolph wasn’t a part of the original 8 he came much later so I
the original 8 he came much later so I
the original 8 he came much later so I started to think to myself well how did
started to think to myself well how did
started to think to myself well how did Rudolph get there
Rudolph get there
Rudolph get there well how did many of us get to where we
well how did many of us get to where we
well how did many of us get to where we are was Rudolph captured and transported
are was Rudolph captured and transported
are was Rudolph captured and transported and sold into slavery I don’t know maybe
and sold into slavery I don’t know maybe
and sold into slavery I don’t know maybe he was was he already there but he was
he was was he already there but he was
he was was he already there but he was stripped by people more powerful than
stripped by people more powerful than
stripped by people more powerful than him
him
him it’s a possibility was he tortured and
it’s a possibility was he tortured and
it’s a possibility was he tortured and put in the concentration camp and then
put in the concentration camp and then
put in the concentration camp and then he fled to get away that’s an experience
he fled to get away that’s an experience
he fled to get away that’s an experience of some people
of some people
of some people where did he immigrated just like many
where did he immigrated just like many
where did he immigrated just like many of us to a place and searched for a
of us to a place and searched for a
of us to a place and searched for a better opportunity for himself and his
better opportunity for himself and his
better opportunity for himself and his family
family
family I don’t know how Rudolph got there but
I don’t know how Rudolph got there but
I don’t know how Rudolph got there but he came later but I do know this he had
he came later but I do know this he had
he came later but I do know this he had to adapt to a set of changing
to adapt to a set of changing
to adapt to a set of changing circumstances in order to acclimate to
circumstances in order to acclimate to
circumstances in order to acclimate to his new environment without losing his
his new environment without losing his
his new environment without losing his sense of identity and who he was reminds
sense of identity and who he was reminds
sense of identity and who he was reminds me of a time when I was growing up in
me of a time when I was growing up in
me of a time when I was growing up in inner-city Paterson New Jersey we moved
inner-city Paterson New Jersey we moved
inner-city Paterson New Jersey we moved a lot in fact we moved five times and
a lot in fact we moved five times and
a lot in fact we moved five times and every time we moved to a different
every time we moved to a different
every time we moved to a different neighborhood I had to prove myself
neighborhood I had to prove myself
neighborhood I had to prove myself socially academically athletically and
socially academically athletically and
socially academically athletically and yes many times physically without losing
yes many times physically without losing
yes many times physically without losing myself and my sense of identity how many
myself and my sense of identity how many
myself and my sense of identity how many of you have ever been there in fact one
of you have ever been there in fact one
of you have ever been there in fact one time when I moved to a different
time when I moved to a different
time when I moved to a different neighborhood I told everybody in the
neighborhood I told everybody in the
neighborhood I told everybody in the school too that knew karate so they
school too that knew karate so they
school too that knew karate so they wouldn’t mess with me and one time I
wouldn’t mess with me and one time I
wouldn’t mess with me and one time I found myself in the bathroom and I was
found myself in the bathroom and I was
found myself in the bathroom and I was doing moves and I saw Bruce Lee do on a
doing moves and I saw Bruce Lee do on a
doing moves and I saw Bruce Lee do on a three o’clock movie in Saturday but it
three o’clock movie in Saturday but it
three o’clock movie in Saturday but it was a way for me to identify and to
was a way for me to identify and to
was a way for me to identify and to acclimate to a new environment just to
acclimate to a new environment just to
acclimate to a new environment just to fit in just like Moodle how many of you
fit in just like Moodle how many of you
fit in just like Moodle how many of you have ever been there feeling that you
have ever been there feeling that you
have ever been there feeling that you had to fit in being out of place is one
had to fit in being out of place is one
had to fit in being out of place is one thing which Rudolf was but being out of
thing which Rudolf was but being out of
thing which Rudolf was but being out of place with a different name some totally
place with a different name some totally
place with a different name some totally different ballgame when I looked at the
different ballgame when I looked at the
different ballgame when I looked at the names of the reindeer Rudolph had a
names of the reindeer Rudolph had a
names of the reindeer Rudolph had a different name there was Dasher right
different name there was Dasher right
different name there was Dasher right what a name like that he had to be fast
what a name like that he had to be fast
what a name like that he had to be fast like
like
like same bolt there was dancer Wow Frank
same bolt there was dancer Wow Frank
same bolt there was dancer Wow Frank Sinatra Sammy Davis jr. Fred Astaire
Sinatra Sammy Davis jr. Fred Astaire
Sinatra Sammy Davis jr. Fred Astaire John Travolta Gregory Hines a very good
John Travolta Gregory Hines a very good
John Travolta Gregory Hines a very good dancer with a name like that there was
dancer with a name like that there was
dancer with a name like that there was Prancer probably won the Triple Crown a
Prancer probably won the Triple Crown a
Prancer probably won the Triple Crown a few times because he prance around like
few times because he prance around like
few times because he prance around like he owned everything vixen oh my goodness
he owned everything vixen oh my goodness
he owned everything vixen oh my goodness drop-dead gorgeous she came in second
drop-dead gorgeous she came in second
drop-dead gorgeous she came in second than Miss America only to my wife who
than Miss America only to my wife who
than Miss America only to my wife who came in first comment oh my goodness
came in first comment oh my goodness
came in first comment oh my goodness what if out of the box and out of the
what if out of the box and out of the
what if out of the box and out of the world thinker word had at he study was
world thinker word had at he study was
world thinker word had at he study was Einstein Cupid my favorite the lover
Einstein Cupid my favorite the lover
Einstein Cupid my favorite the lover everybody loves lover right I see him
everybody loves lover right I see him
everybody loves lover right I see him hanging out with the Dos Equis man all
hanging out with the Dos Equis man all
hanging out with the Dos Equis man all the time be thirsty my friends
the time be thirsty my friends
the time be thirsty my friends Donner and Blitzen short for what
Donner and Blitzen short for what
Donner and Blitzen short for what thunder and lightning right power and
thunder and lightning right power and
thunder and lightning right power and strength all of those names meant
strength all of those names meant
strength all of those names meant something what did Rudolph’s taemi
something what did Rudolph’s taemi
something what did Rudolph’s taemi imagine if you’re in a situation where
imagine if you’re in a situation where
imagine if you’re in a situation where somebody walks in one day and says to
somebody walks in one day and says to
somebody walks in one day and says to Mary and to Peter and to Paul and to
Mary and to Peter and to Paul and to
Mary and to Peter and to Paul and to John into Dave and to Susan we have some
John into Dave and to Susan we have some
John into Dave and to Susan we have some new people joining us kasym Bay Ngozi
new people joining us kasym Bay Ngozi
new people joining us kasym Bay Ngozi Sasha Eduardo Hong C Fung see you choy
Sasha Eduardo Hong C Fung see you choy
Sasha Eduardo Hong C Fung see you choy same petit Patel what would Marian who
same petit Patel what would Marian who
same petit Patel what would Marian who think about those folks what images or
think about those folks what images or
think about those folks what images or biases or preconceived notions would
biases or preconceived notions would
biases or preconceived notions would they have about them think about that
they have about them think about that
they have about them think about that Rudolph’s name may have communicated
Rudolph’s name may have communicated
Rudolph’s name may have communicated that he was different but a physical
that he was different but a physical
that he was different but a physical feature solidified it what did he have a
feature solidified it what did he have a
feature solidified it what did he have a red nose see when people don’t
red nose see when people don’t
red nose see when people don’t understand your name they tend to
understand your name they tend to
understand your name they tend to identify you by a physical
identify you by a physical
identify you by a physical characteristic personality trait or
characteristic personality trait or
characteristic personality trait or personal attribute that you may have
personal attribute that you may have
personal attribute that you may have Rudolph with a deer like just like them
Rudolph with a deer like just like them
Rudolph with a deer like just like them but they labeled him why because he was
but they labeled him why because he was
but they labeled him why because he was different labeling is a sign of control
different labeling is a sign of control
different labeling is a sign of control think about it when we name our children
think about it when we name our children
think about it when we name our children when we name our places we name our cars
when we name our places we name our cars
when we name our places we name our cars our pets anything that we name it’s a
our pets anything that we name it’s a
our pets anything that we name it’s a sign of control over them that’s what I
sign of control over them that’s what I
sign of control over them that’s what I label Rudolph what if we did not have
label Rudolph what if we did not have
label Rudolph what if we did not have any preconceived notions about people
any preconceived notions about people
any preconceived notions about people based upon their names or judge them
based upon their names or judge them
based upon their names or judge them because their name is different
because their name is different
because their name is different what have we then placed labels on
what have we then placed labels on
what have we then placed labels on people regarding sex gender race
people regarding sex gender race
people regarding sex gender race religion mental and physical abilities
religion mental and physical abilities
religion mental and physical abilities or anything else that we think
or anything else that we think
or anything else that we think distinguishes us but instead understand
distinguishes us but instead understand
distinguishes us but instead understand that we should experience people before
that we should experience people before
that we should experience people before we judge them it was very easy to judge
we judge them it was very easy to judge
we judge them it was very easy to judge rudolph why because he had a red nose
rudolph why because he had a red nose
rudolph why because he had a red nose before people said anything or before he
before people said anything or before he
before people said anything or before he said anything or did anything or made
said anything or did anything or made
said anything or did anything or made any comment they judged him he couldn’t
any comment they judged him he couldn’t
any comment they judged him he couldn’t hide it if he wanted to
hide it if he wanted to
hide it if he wanted to just like the skin that I’m in no matter
just like the skin that I’m in no matter
just like the skin that I’m in no matter where I go or what I do before I say or
where I go or what I do before I say or
where I go or what I do before I say or do anything
do anything
do anything people look at Who I am that’s how we do
people look at Who I am that’s how we do
people look at Who I am that’s how we do as people when the skin color is
as people when the skin color is
as people when the skin color is different the hair color is different
different the hair color is different
different the hair color is different the eye color is different our body
the eye color is different our body
the eye color is different our body shapes are different all of the
shapes are different all of the
shapes are different all of the differences we point them out and then
differences we point them out and then
differences we point them out and then we get amazed because we’re supposed to
we get amazed because we’re supposed to
we get amazed because we’re supposed to be so smart that something unpredictable
be so smart that something unpredictable
be so smart that something unpredictable happens or I should say something very
happens or I should say something very
happens or I should say something very predictable happens when somebody’s name
predictable happens when somebody’s name
predictable happens when somebody’s name is uncommon and we label them the song
is uncommon and we label them the song
is uncommon and we label them the song says what all of the other reindeer used
says what all of the other reindeer used
says what all of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names right
to laugh and call him names right
to laugh and call him names right Rudolph was ostracized criticized
Rudolph was ostracized criticized
Rudolph was ostracized criticized marginalized and in some cases even
marginalized and in some cases even
marginalized and in some cases even demonized why because he was different
demonized why because he was different
demonized why because he was different today
today
today weird at Rutgers Prep we call that Hib
weird at Rutgers Prep we call that Hib
weird at Rutgers Prep we call that Hib harassment intimidation and bullying
harassment intimidation and bullying
harassment intimidation and bullying that sometimes it leads to homicide
that sometimes it leads to homicide
that sometimes it leads to homicide and in many cases suicide whoever said
and in many cases suicide whoever said
and in many cases suicide whoever said sticks and stones can break my bones but
sticks and stones can break my bones but
sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never hurt I say hit him with
names will never hurt I say hit him with
names will never hurt I say hit him with his bat because they lie names hurt
his bat because they lie names hurt
his bat because they lie names hurt maybe that person was never called a
maybe that person was never called a
maybe that person was never called a racial or ethnic slur but words are
racial or ethnic slur but words are
racial or ethnic slur but words are powerful I won’t repeat them here
powerful I won’t repeat them here
powerful I won’t repeat them here because they hurt but words are powerful
because they hurt but words are powerful
because they hurt but words are powerful and they can even breathe life or they
and they can even breathe life or they
and they can even breathe life or they can choke us to death
can choke us to death
can choke us to death what if we didn’t ostracize criticize
what if we didn’t ostracize criticize
what if we didn’t ostracize criticize marginalize or even demonize people who
marginalize or even demonize people who
marginalize or even demonize people who are different than us but understand and
are different than us but understand and
are different than us but understand and embrace the notion that there’s no
embrace the notion that there’s no
embrace the notion that there’s no distinction in humanity that binds all
distinction in humanity that binds all
distinction in humanity that binds all of us the predictability continues when
of us the predictability continues when
of us the predictability continues when we continue to judge people before we
we continue to judge people before we
we continue to judge people before we experience them because their name is
experience them because their name is
experience them because their name is different or we label them the song says
different or we label them the song says
different or we label them the song says they never let poor Rudolph join in any
they never let poor Rudolph join in any
they never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games you see the reindeer
reindeer games you see the reindeer
reindeer games you see the reindeer controlled the game by the way there was
controlled the game by the way there was
controlled the game by the way there was a movie called reindeer games I just
a movie called reindeer games I just
a movie called reindeer games I just remembered that you know a long time ago
remembered that you know a long time ago
remembered that you know a long time ago had nothing to do a Rudolph but it was
had nothing to do a Rudolph but it was
had nothing to do a Rudolph but it was it was a pretty good movie the the
it was a pretty good movie the the
it was a pretty good movie the the reindeer controlled the game socially
reindeer controlled the game socially
reindeer controlled the game socially economically politically in every way
economically politically in every way
economically politically in every way they controlled the game and they pitied
they controlled the game and they pitied
they controlled the game and they pitied Rudolph and called some poor
Rudolph and called some poor
Rudolph and called some poor because they wrongly interpreted his
because they wrongly interpreted his
because they wrongly interpreted his difference as a deficiency think about
difference as a deficiency think about
difference as a deficiency think about that because it was the least
that because it was the least
that because it was the least threatening way for them to process who
threatening way for them to process who
threatening way for them to process who he was instead of seeing Rudolph as a
he was instead of seeing Rudolph as a
he was instead of seeing Rudolph as a valued member of a winning team they
valued member of a winning team they
valued member of a winning team they perceived him as poor because he had
perceived him as poor because he had
perceived him as poor because he had something that they did not have a red
something that they did not have a red
something that they did not have a red nose see whenever people don’t
nose see whenever people don’t
nose see whenever people don’t understand what you have and how you got
understand what you have and how you got
understand what you have and how you got it they fear you and are intimidated by
it they fear you and are intimidated by
it they fear you and are intimidated by you and one of the ways they exercise
you and one of the ways they exercise
you and one of the ways they exercise that fear and intimidation again is
that fear and intimidation again is
that fear and intimidation again is through control when I bought my house
through control when I bought my house
through control when I bought my house almost 20 years ago now my attorney came
almost 20 years ago now my attorney came
almost 20 years ago now my attorney came to me and before we could close he said
to me and before we could close he said
to me and before we could close he said Vaughn you have to get the other
Vaughn you have to get the other
Vaughn you have to get the other neighbors in the community to sign off
neighbors in the community to sign off
neighbors in the community to sign off on you living in the community now I’m a
on you living in the community now I’m a
on you living in the community now I’m a lawyer I understood it it’s called a
lawyer I understood it it’s called a
lawyer I understood it it’s called a covenant that runs with the land or a
covenant that runs with the land or a
covenant that runs with the land or a restrictive covenant and that covenant
restrictive covenant and that covenant
restrictive covenant and that covenant was used by many builders back in the
was used by many builders back in the
was used by many builders back in the day to keep blacks and others out of
day to keep blacks and others out of
day to keep blacks and others out of their neighborhoods and so I say that to
their neighborhoods and so I say that to
their neighborhoods and so I say that to say what if we have a society where we
say what if we have a society where we
say what if we have a society where we give everybody equal access and equal
give everybody equal access and equal
give everybody equal access and equal opportunity to play in the game without
opportunity to play in the game without
opportunity to play in the game without controlling them or limiting them in any
controlling them or limiting them in any
controlling them or limiting them in any way what if we intentionally expanded
way what if we intentionally expanded
way what if we intentionally expanded the game to incorporate people who are
the game to incorporate people who are
the game to incorporate people who are different than us both who have the
different than us both who have the
different than us both who have the skills the talents the gifts and the
skills the talents the gifts and the
skills the talents the gifts and the abilities to contribute in some
abilities to contribute in some
abilities to contribute in some meaningful way here’s the thing I like
meaningful way here’s the thing I like
meaningful way here’s the thing I like about Rudolph he’d rejected others
about Rudolph he’d rejected others
about Rudolph he’d rejected others interpretation of who he was was he hurt
interpretation of who he was was he hurt
interpretation of who he was was he hurt absolutely was he discouraged I believe
absolutely was he discouraged I believe
absolutely was he discouraged I believe so but he would not be denied his place
so but he would not be denied his place
so but he would not be denied his place in history how do we know this the song
in history how do we know this the song
in history how do we know this the song continues on and it says then one foggy
continues on and it says then one foggy
continues on and it says then one foggy Christmas Eve see the fog changed
Christmas Eve see the fog changed
Christmas Eve see the fog changed everything the conditions the culture
everything the conditions the culture
everything the conditions the culture the climate the situation everything
the climate the situation everything
the climate the situation everything changed and provided a unique
changed and provided a unique
changed and provided a unique opportunity for Rudolph to display his
opportunity for Rudolph to display his
opportunity for Rudolph to display his gift why Santa had a job to do he had to
gift why Santa had a job to do he had to
gift why Santa had a job to do he had to deliver joy and peace and happiness to
deliver joy and peace and happiness to
deliver joy and peace and happiness to the world you know how it is when you
the world you know how it is when you
the world you know how it is when you didn’t get something for Christmas and
didn’t get something for Christmas and
didn’t get something for Christmas and how you wreaked havoc in your house
how you wreaked havoc in your house
how you wreaked havoc in your house just imagine the whole community not
just imagine the whole community not
just imagine the whole community not getting what they want so the
getting what they want so the
getting what they want so the Fogg presented an obstacle for Santa
Fogg presented an obstacle for Santa
Fogg presented an obstacle for Santa failure was not an option because if he
failure was not an option because if he
failure was not an option because if he failed
failed
failed they’ll be uprisings and riots and
they’ll be uprisings and riots and
they’ll be uprisings and riots and protests and boycotts and marches and
protests and boycotts and marches and
protests and boycotts and marches and sit-ins and while others pitied Rudolph
sit-ins and while others pitied Rudolph
sit-ins and while others pitied Rudolph and did nothing
and did nothing
and did nothing Santa spotted his uniqueness and said
Santa spotted his uniqueness and said
Santa spotted his uniqueness and said something and What did he say he said
something and What did he say he said
something and What did he say he said Rudolph with your nose so bright won’t
Rudolph with your nose so bright won’t
Rudolph with your nose so bright won’t you guide my sleigh tonight
you guide my sleigh tonight
you guide my sleigh tonight see Santa recognized that Rudolph’s
see Santa recognized that Rudolph’s
see Santa recognized that Rudolph’s significance was in his difference
significance was in his difference
significance was in his difference remember that he recognized that Rudolph
remember that he recognized that Rudolph
remember that he recognized that Rudolph significance was in his difference and
significance was in his difference and
significance was in his difference and with peace and justice on the line it
with peace and justice on the line it
with peace and justice on the line it was all paws on deck
was all paws on deck
was all paws on deck he didn’t label Rudolph he didn’t judge
he didn’t label Rudolph he didn’t judge
he didn’t label Rudolph he didn’t judge him instead he gave him a position based
him instead he gave him a position based
him instead he gave him a position based upon Rudolph’s unique skill the red nose
upon Rudolph’s unique skill the red nose
upon Rudolph’s unique skill the red nose he saw Rudolph as a valued at a gift to
he saw Rudolph as a valued at a gift to
he saw Rudolph as a valued at a gift to be celebrated not a freak or thing to be
be celebrated not a freak or thing to be
be celebrated not a freak or thing to be tolerated and as a result of that he has
tolerated and as a result of that he has
tolerated and as a result of that he has Rudolph to lead not just be a part but
Rudolph to lead not just be a part but
Rudolph to lead not just be a part but to lead the sleigh from a very very dark
to lead the sleigh from a very very dark
to lead the sleigh from a very very dark place remember it was nighttime Santa
place remember it was nighttime Santa
place remember it was nighttime Santa had to get through the fog Rudolph’s
had to get through the fog Rudolph’s
had to get through the fog Rudolph’s seize the opportunity and now we know
seize the opportunity and now we know
seize the opportunity and now we know what his matchless contribution win
what his matchless contribution win
what his matchless contribution win we’re not singing dancer the dancing
we’re not singing dancer the dancing
we’re not singing dancer the dancing reindeer or Prancer the prancing
reindeer or Prancer the prancing
reindeer or Prancer the prancing reindeer we’re singing Rudolph the
reindeer we’re singing Rudolph the
reindeer we’re singing Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer my friends it’s
red-nosed reindeer my friends it’s
red-nosed reindeer my friends it’s nighttime the then is now with regard to
nighttime the then is now with regard to
nighttime the then is now with regard to diversity and inclusion and race
diversity and inclusion and race
diversity and inclusion and race relations in this country the climate
relations in this country the climate
relations in this country the climate the culture the circumstances the
the culture the circumstances the
the culture the circumstances the situations have changed what if we had a
situations have changed what if we had a
situations have changed what if we had a lot of Santa Clauses and mrs. Claus’s
lot of Santa Clauses and mrs. Claus’s
lot of Santa Clauses and mrs. Claus’s and Santa’s helpers and elves and wooden
and Santa’s helpers and elves and wooden
and Santa’s helpers and elves and wooden soldiers scouring their communities and
soldiers scouring their communities and
soldiers scouring their communities and their playgrounds and their courtrooms
their playgrounds and their courtrooms
their playgrounds and their courtrooms and their boardrooms and their offices
and their boardrooms and their offices
and their boardrooms and their offices and wherever place people live work and
and wherever place people live work and
and wherever place people live work and play
play
play looking for uniqueness that could help
looking for uniqueness that could help
looking for uniqueness that could help lead us through this dark place because
lead us through this dark place because
lead us through this dark place because when we do that we’ll find that
when we do that we’ll find that
when we do that we’ll find that behaviors will change and the script
behaviors will change and the script
behaviors will change and the script will be flipped an attitude will change
will be flipped an attitude will change
will be flipped an attitude will change because as in Rudolph’s case it says
because as in Rudolph’s case it says
because as in Rudolph’s case it says then how the reindeer loved him as they
then how the reindeer loved him as they
then how the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee Rudolph the
shouted out with glee Rudolph the
shouted out with glee Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
red-nosed reindeer
red-nosed reindeer you’ll go down in history at some point
you’ll go down in history at some point
you’ll go down in history at some point the reindeer realize that the mission
the reindeer realize that the mission
the reindeer realize that the mission cannot be successful without Rudolph
cannot be successful without Rudolph
cannot be successful without Rudolph they realized that Rudolph wanted what
they realized that Rudolph wanted what
they realized that Rudolph wanted what they wanted which was to be a valued
they wanted which was to be a valued
they wanted which was to be a valued member of a winning team
member of a winning team
member of a winning team they realized that different means
they realized that different means
they realized that different means different it does not mean deficient
different it does not mean deficient
different it does not mean deficient they realize that Rudolph’s proficiency
they realize that Rudolph’s proficiency
they realize that Rudolph’s proficiency and his gift did not nullify or mitigate
and his gift did not nullify or mitigate
and his gift did not nullify or mitigate their contribution to the mission now
their contribution to the mission now
their contribution to the mission now all of those insights led to something
all of those insights led to something
all of those insights led to something they led to shouts of Blee about how
they led to shouts of Blee about how
they led to shouts of Blee about how great Rudolph was the hateful eight
great Rudolph was the hateful eight
great Rudolph was the hateful eight started singing Rudolph the great his
started singing Rudolph the great his
started singing Rudolph the great his critics became as converse and praised
critics became as converse and praised
critics became as converse and praised him it’s funny how people want to be
him it’s funny how people want to be
him it’s funny how people want to be associated with the winner when the
associated with the winner when the
associated with the winner when the winner is confirmed but not everyone
winner is confirmed but not everyone
winner is confirmed but not everyone will take the time to spot the potential
will take the time to spot the potential
will take the time to spot the potential winner cultivate them and then leverage
winner cultivate them and then leverage
winner cultivate them and then leverage or create circumstances that allow that
or create circumstances that allow that
or create circumstances that allow that unique gift to shine we need to do more
unique gift to shine we need to do more
unique gift to shine we need to do more of that people don’t do it because it’s
of that people don’t do it because it’s
of that people don’t do it because it’s too risky we can’t afford not to do it
too risky we can’t afford not to do it
too risky we can’t afford not to do it why did Rudolph go down in history
why did Rudolph go down in history
why did Rudolph go down in history because Santa recognized that his
because Santa recognized that his
because Santa recognized that his significance was in his uniqueness and
significance was in his uniqueness and
significance was in his uniqueness and his uniqueness made the difference and
his uniqueness made the difference and
his uniqueness made the difference and bringing peace and joy to the world what
bringing peace and joy to the world what
bringing peace and joy to the world what if we are courageous enough to display
if we are courageous enough to display
if we are courageous enough to display humility after we learn that people who
humility after we learn that people who
humility after we learn that people who are different than us just want what we
are different than us just want what we
are different than us just want what we want to be valued for who they are in
want to be valued for who they are in
want to be valued for who they are in the contribution that they can make
the contribution that they can make
the contribution that they can make what if wherever we are we shout out
what if wherever we are we shout out
what if wherever we are we shout out with glee that is only through the
with glee that is only through the
with glee that is only through the inclusion of diversity that we can truly
inclusion of diversity that we can truly
inclusion of diversity that we can truly deliver on the promise of freedom
deliver on the promise of freedom
deliver on the promise of freedom liberty and justice for all
liberty and justice for all
liberty and justice for all what if I what if you what if we me and
what if I what if you what if we me and
what if I what if you what if we me and you what if they those outside this room
you what if they those outside this room
you what if they those outside this room what if all of us me you we and they can
what if all of us me you we and they can
what if all of us me you we and they can convince and influence them the
convince and influence them the
convince and influence them the non-believers regarding diversity and
non-believers regarding diversity and
non-believers regarding diversity and inclusion and race relations to change
inclusion and race relations to change
inclusion and race relations to change and modify their behaviors in a very
and modify their behaviors in a very
and modify their behaviors in a very very positive way
very positive way
very positive way like Santa we cannot fail there will be
like Santa we cannot fail there will be
like Santa we cannot fail there will be uprisings and boycotts and sit-ins and
uprisings and boycotts and sit-ins and
uprisings and boycotts and sit-ins and marches there will be blood
marches there will be blood
marches there will be blood if we don’t embrace what dr. King said
if we don’t embrace what dr. King said
if we don’t embrace what dr. King said many many years ago injustice anywhere
many many years ago injustice anywhere
many many years ago injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere what
is a threat to justice everywhere what
is a threat to justice everywhere what if I what if you what if we what if they
if I what if you what if we what if they
if I what if you what if we what if they what if all of us can convince them
what if all of us can convince them
what if all of us can convince them what if thank you for listening
what if thank you for listening
what if thank you for listening [Applause]
”
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