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The Ism of Race | Dennis Febo | TEDxJerseyCity


please family all right this is the ism

please family all right this is the ism of race so when I was young my family

of race so when I was young my family

of race so when I was young my family moved around a lot and after spending

moved around a lot and after spending

moved around a lot and after spending most of my childhood in Puerto Rico we

most of my childhood in Puerto Rico we

most of my childhood in Puerto Rico we ended up moving to the state of Maryland

ended up moving to the state of Maryland

ended up moving to the state of Maryland where I was the only proto Rican in my

where I was the only proto Rican in my

where I was the only proto Rican in my middle school but I was able to make a

middle school but I was able to make a

middle school but I was able to make a best friend Travis we were cool hung on

best friend Travis we were cool hung on

best friend Travis we were cool hung on each other’s houses play video games

each other’s houses play video games

each other’s houses play video games he’d help each other out with homework

he’d help each other out with homework

he’d help each other out with homework Travis was white months down the line

Travis was white months down the line

Travis was white months down the line I’ll show up to school one day and I see

I’ll show up to school one day and I see

I’ll show up to school one day and I see Travis and I go to shake his hand was up

Travis and I go to shake his hand was up

Travis and I go to shake his hand was up Travis but you wouldn’t look at me or

Travis but you wouldn’t look at me or

Travis but you wouldn’t look at me or give me his hand so I said what’s the

give me his hand so I said what’s the

give me his hand so I said what’s the matter and he says I’m not allowed to

matter and he says I’m not allowed to

matter and he says I’m not allowed to speak to you anymore

speak to you anymore

speak to you anymore and I say why not he said you got to

and I say why not he said you got to

and I say why not he said you got to understand my parents are racist I’m

understand my parents are racist I’m

understand my parents are racist I’m sorry oh I was so hurt and I just lost

sorry oh I was so hurt and I just lost

sorry oh I was so hurt and I just lost my best friend and I didn’t understand

my best friend and I didn’t understand

my best friend and I didn’t understand why and I thought to myself racist what

why and I thought to myself racist what

why and I thought to myself racist what the hell is that

the hell is that

the hell is that I neither heard the word before I was

I neither heard the word before I was

I neither heard the word before I was never exposed to it growing up my family

never exposed to it growing up my family

never exposed to it growing up my family ended up moving around a whole lot more

ended up moving around a whole lot more

ended up moving around a whole lot more and the concept of racism was still

and the concept of racism was still

and the concept of racism was still inescapable because I ended up having

inescapable because I ended up having

inescapable because I ended up having many more negative experiences with it I

many more negative experiences with it I

many more negative experiences with it I got to college in 2000 President Bill

got to college in 2000 President Bill

got to college in 2000 President Bill Clinton holds a press conference and

Clinton holds a press conference and

Clinton holds a press conference and announces to the world that the human

announces to the world that the human

announces to the world that the human genome mapping have finally been

genome mapping have finally been

genome mapping have finally been completed and he was also excited to

completed and he was also excited to

completed and he was also excited to announce that all human beings

announce that all human beings

announce that all human beings regardless of race for more than 99.9%

regardless of race for more than 99.9%

regardless of race for more than 99.9% the same I cheered racism is over

the same I cheered racism is over

the same I cheered racism is over racists are gonna have to stop being

racists are gonna have to stop being

racists are gonna have to stop being racist now there’s no more argument for

racist now there’s no more argument for

racist now there’s no more argument for it but then 9/11 happened and racism is

it but then 9/11 happened and racism is

it but then 9/11 happened and racism is xenophobia we’re at an all-time high

xenophobia we’re at an all-time high

xenophobia we’re at an all-time high kind of how it’s like today right and I

kind of how it’s like today right and I

kind of how it’s like today right and I felt for people experiencing racism

felt for people experiencing racism

felt for people experiencing racism because I was all too familiar with it

because I was all too familiar with it

because I was all too familiar with it so invested a lot of my study into my

so invested a lot of my study into my

so invested a lot of my study into my culture and it’s in my history and it

culture and it’s in my history and it

culture and it’s in my history and it search for my identity I wanted to know

search for my identity I wanted to know

search for my identity I wanted to know more and the deeper that I dug the more

more and the deeper that I dug the more

more and the deeper that I dug the more I found that as a human being and as an

I found that as a human being and as an

I found that as a human being and as an American how interconnected I was to the

American how interconnected I was to the

American how interconnected I was to the whole world I found that the whole world

whole world I found that the whole world

whole world I found that the whole world was within me and in my study I also

was within me and in my study I also

was within me and in my study I also learned to love and appreciate words

learned to love and appreciate words

learned to love and appreciate words because I found that by taking a closer

because I found that by taking a closer

because I found that by taking a closer look at them what could find deeper

look at them what could find deeper

look at them what could find deeper meaning and I found that the solution to

meaning and I found that the solution to

meaning and I found that the solution to the problem of racism lies in the roots

the problem of racism lies in the roots

the problem of racism lies in the roots of the language created by the people

of the language created by the people

of the language created by the people who created this pseudo and disproved

who created this pseudo and disproved

who created this pseudo and disproved science racism is propagated in our

science racism is propagated in our

science racism is propagated in our language so as an example is use the

language so as an example is use the

language so as an example is use the word racism right we have the race and

word racism right we have the race and

word racism right we have the race and the Islam an ism is a practice a system

the Islam an ism is a practice a system

the Islam an ism is a practice a system of philosophy a science to sort of speak

of philosophy a science to sort of speak

of philosophy a science to sort of speak of races original meaning was a group of

of races original meaning was a group of

of races original meaning was a group of people of common descent and it wasn’t

people of common descent and it wasn’t

people of common descent and it wasn’t until the 18th century that we began to

until the 18th century that we began to

until the 18th century that we began to associate it to the color of our skin so

associate it to the color of our skin so

associate it to the color of our skin so as to justify genocide and slavery and

as to justify genocide and slavery and

as to justify genocide and slavery and our mortuous history combined you have

our mortuous history combined you have

our mortuous history combined you have racism a science develop so as to create

racism a science develop so as to create

racism a science develop so as to create a perfect logical loophole a

a perfect logical loophole a

a perfect logical loophole a justification for the inhumane ability

justification for the inhumane ability

justification for the inhumane ability to dehumanized others and tournaments of

to dehumanized others and tournaments of

to dehumanized others and tournaments of property in the eyes of the law now as

property in the eyes of the law now as

property in the eyes of the law now as for the races these were created by

for the races these were created by

for the races these were created by naturalist by the names of

naturalist by the names of

naturalist by the names of Christoph – and Johan blumenbach

Christoph – and Johan blumenbach

Christoph – and Johan blumenbach blumenbach based his on skull structure

blumenbach based his on skull structure

blumenbach based his on skull structure and divided human beings into five

and divided human beings into five

and divided human beings into five categorizations Caucasians white

categorizations Caucasians white

categorizations Caucasians white Mongolians yellow Americans red Malays

Mongolians yellow Americans red Malays

Mongolians yellow Americans red Malays Brown and Ethiopians black he plays

Brown and Ethiopians black he plays

Brown and Ethiopians black he plays Caucasian at the top of the structure

Caucasian at the top of the structure

Caucasian at the top of the structure where he found himself of course

where he found himself of course

where he found himself of course and the rest of the race is degraded

and the rest of the race is degraded

and the rest of the race is degraded downwards according to the mellon

downwards according to the mellon

downwards according to the mellon ization of their skin light at the top

ization of their skin light at the top

ization of their skin light at the top dark at the bottom he actually suggested

dark at the bottom he actually suggested

dark at the bottom he actually suggested that if black people worked hard enough

that if black people worked hard enough

that if black people worked hard enough it could regress towards their original

it could regress towards their original

it could regress towards their original state a white person so to either use

state a white person so to either use

state a white person so to either use racial vocabulary or to fully invest the

racial vocabulary or to fully invest the

racial vocabulary or to fully invest the belief of self into a racial

belief of self into a racial

belief of self into a racial categorization makes one a practitioner

categorization makes one a practitioner

categorization makes one a practitioner of the science of race a racist now this

of the science of race a racist now this

of the science of race a racist now this this science was written in 1776 and

this science was written in 1776 and

this science was written in 1776 and even though I was written 240 years ago

even though I was written 240 years ago

even though I was written 240 years ago it still has a powerful grip on the

it still has a powerful grip on the

it still has a powerful grip on the construct of being an American because

construct of being an American because

construct of being an American because the founders themselves subscribe to

the founders themselves subscribe to

the founders themselves subscribe to these ideologies and embedded them into

these ideologies and embedded them into

these ideologies and embedded them into America’s foundation see they themselves

America’s foundation see they themselves

America’s foundation see they themselves under the guise of racism dehumanized

under the guise of racism dehumanized

under the guise of racism dehumanized others and turn them into property in

others and turn them into property in

others and turn them into property in the eyes of the law racism the science

the eyes of the law racism the science

the eyes of the law racism the science and economics of our skin and we’re not

and economics of our skin and we’re not

and economics of our skin and we’re not talking biology an action

talking biology an action

talking biology an action science has a systemic logical process

science has a systemic logical process

science has a systemic logical process if we were talking biology we’d

if we were talking biology we’d

if we were talking biology we’d understand that there’s dozens of skin

understand that there’s dozens of skin

understand that there’s dozens of skin variations and that these come from the

variations and that these come from the

variations and that these come from the presence of tiny little crystals in

presence of tiny little crystals in

presence of tiny little crystals in ourselves now gave our bodies the

ourselves now gave our bodies the

ourselves now gave our bodies the ability to either absorb or reflect

ability to either absorb or reflect

ability to either absorb or reflect sunlight our skin color does not

sunlight our skin color does not

sunlight our skin color does not determine our humanity our skin color is

determine our humanity our skin color is

determine our humanity our skin color is our body’s relationship to the Sun see

our body’s relationship to the Sun see

our body’s relationship to the Sun see our body is beautiful and intelligent

our body is beautiful and intelligent

our body is beautiful and intelligent that way it will modify and adapt itself

that way it will modify and adapt itself

that way it will modify and adapt itself to any environment

to any environment

to any environment now deserving of it being attached to a

now deserving of it being attached to a

now deserving of it being attached to a social construct or to negative

social construct or to negative

social construct or to negative associations of being or to be used to

associations of being or to be used to

associations of being or to be used to be humanized others in this particular

be humanized others in this particular

be humanized others in this particular mental agreement we were declared for as

mental agreement we were declared for as

mental agreement we were declared for as human beings we forgot that we declare

human beings we forgot that we declare

human beings we forgot that we declare ourselves so if we could change our

ourselves so if we could change our

ourselves so if we could change our vocabulary our language and our

vocabulary our language and our

vocabulary our language and our affirmation of being that we can affirm

affirmation of being that we can affirm

affirmation of being that we can affirm ourselves from a position of empowerment

ourselves from a position of empowerment

ourselves from a position of empowerment instead of a position of inferiority

instead of a position of inferiority

instead of a position of inferiority thus affecting the aid our subconscious

thus affecting the aid our subconscious

thus affecting the aid our subconscious in our identity

in our identity

in our identity now take this applet karmic application

now take this applet karmic application

now take this applet karmic application question as an example right most of us

question as an example right most of us

question as an example right most of us think about how many times you’ve been

think about how many times you’ve been

think about how many times you’ve been asked to check one of these boxes think

asked to check one of these boxes think

asked to check one of these boxes think of which one you usually checked how

of which one you usually checked how

of which one you usually checked how many times you’ve been asked to do so

many times you’ve been asked to do so

many times you’ve been asked to do so over the course of your life do you

over the course of your life do you

over the course of your life do you really understand what these words mean

really understand what these words mean

really understand what these words mean now les uses an example being that we

now les uses an example being that we

now les uses an example being that we live in America and that most of our

live in America and that most of our

live in America and that most of our these identities are hyphenated with

these identities are hyphenated with

these identities are hyphenated with American we’ll start there if you affirm

American we’ll start there if you affirm

American we’ll start there if you affirm yourself to be an American please raise

yourself to be an American please raise

yourself to be an American please raise your hand all right and out of everybody

your hand all right and out of everybody

your hand all right and out of everybody that raised their hand if you understand

that raised their hand if you understand

that raised their hand if you understand what the word America itself means and

what the word America itself means and

what the word America itself means and where it comes from not the idea behind

where it comes from not the idea behind

where it comes from not the idea behind it not freedom and justice I mean the

it not freedom and justice I mean the

it not freedom and justice I mean the actual word itself please raise your

actual word itself please raise your

actual word itself please raise your hand I’ve done this all around the

hand I’ve done this all around the

hand I’ve done this all around the country most places I go people do not

country most places I go people do not

country most places I go people do not understand the meaning of these words

understand the meaning of these words

understand the meaning of these words and kind of applies to the rest of these

and kind of applies to the rest of these

and kind of applies to the rest of these so let’s keep moving and to make it a

so let’s keep moving and to make it a

so let’s keep moving and to make it a little bit clearer let’s attach these

little bit clearer let’s attach these

little bit clearer let’s attach these two bloomin box race model American is

two bloomin box race model American is

two bloomin box race model American is red blumenbach refer to the Native

red blumenbach refer to the Native

red blumenbach refer to the Native American as did the father of American

American as did the father of American

American as did the father of American scholarship and education

scholarship and education

scholarship and education mr. Webster himself in his 1828 first

mr. Webster himself in his 1828 first

mr. Webster himself in his 1828 first edition Dictionary defining American

edition Dictionary defining American

edition Dictionary defining American originally as coppered color people but

originally as coppered color people but

originally as coppered color people but today to be from the United States of

today to be from the United States of

today to be from the United States of America makes one

America makes one

America makes one American but we forget that America

American but we forget that America

American but we forget that America grows all the way up from Greenland and

grows all the way up from Greenland and

grows all the way up from Greenland and Alaska all the way down Sat yet another

Alaska all the way down Sat yet another

Alaska all the way down Sat yet another fuego in Argentina

fuego in Argentina

fuego in Argentina thus North and South America this is all

thus North and South America this is all

thus North and South America this is all America and we are all Americans however

America and we are all Americans however

America and we are all Americans however nobody stops our ass if credit is given

nobody stops our ass if credit is given

nobody stops our ass if credit is given to discoverers of land and water then

to discoverers of land and water then

to discoverers of land and water then how come we don’t call ourselves

how come we don’t call ourselves

how come we don’t call ourselves Colombians after Christopher Columbus

Colombians after Christopher Columbus

Colombians after Christopher Columbus who discovered America I mean I’m pretty

who discovered America I mean I’m pretty

who discovered America I mean I’m pretty sure we used to this is why we call our

sure we used to this is why we call our

sure we used to this is why we call our nation’s capital the Washington District

nation’s capital the Washington District

nation’s capital the Washington District of Columbia but for some reason we moved

of Columbia but for some reason we moved

of Columbia but for some reason we moved over to be an American well this was

over to be an American well this was

over to be an American well this was because Christopher Columbus died

because Christopher Columbus died

because Christopher Columbus died believing he was in India it was the

believing he was in India it was the

believing he was in India it was the cartographer America Vespucci who

cartographer America Vespucci who

cartographer America Vespucci who discovered that Christopher Columbus did

discovered that Christopher Columbus did

discovered that Christopher Columbus did not discover another route to India but

not discover another route to India but

not discover another route to India but a whole new continent altogether so

a whole new continent altogether so

a whole new continent altogether so credit was given to him of the naming on

credit was given to him of the naming on

credit was given to him of the naming on the land on the map America so when you

the land on the map America so when you

the land on the map America so when you affirm yourself to be an American you’re

affirm yourself to be an American you’re

affirm yourself to be an American you’re calling yourself by the name of a man

calling yourself by the name of a man

calling yourself by the name of a man that discovered that a man made a

that discovered that a man made a

that discovered that a man made a mistake in his discoveries an Italian

mistake in his discoveries an Italian

mistake in his discoveries an Italian man from Florence Italy

man from Florence Italy

man from Florence Italy you call yourself by an Italian man’s

you call yourself by an Italian man’s

you call yourself by an Italian man’s name and when a Native American is

name and when a Native American is

name and when a Native American is affirmed as such there’s still now true

affirmed as such there’s still now true

affirmed as such there’s still now true to who they are what their name really

to who they are what their name really

to who they are what their name really is I mean they’re calling themselves by

is I mean they’re calling themselves by

is I mean they’re calling themselves by an Italian man’s name and as Indians

an Italian man’s name and as Indians

an Italian man’s name and as Indians their firm in themselves by our culture

their firm in themselves by our culture

their firm in themselves by our culture and the people from the country of India

and the people from the country of India

and the people from the country of India halfway across the world they have no

halfway across the world they have no

halfway across the world they have no direct relationship to they affirm

direct relationship to they affirm

direct relationship to they affirm themselves as a mistake and being that

themselves as a mistake and being that

themselves as a mistake and being that there’s thousands of cultures in the

there’s thousands of cultures in the

there’s thousands of cultures in the Americas whose skin colors ranged from

Americas whose skin colors ranged from

Americas whose skin colors ranged from the lightest skin to the darkest of

the lightest skin to the darkest of

the lightest skin to the darkest of skinned Native American is not a race

skinned Native American is not a race

skinned Native American is not a race today some believe Americans to be

today some believe Americans to be

today some believe Americans to be synonymous with cork Asian the Caucasian

synonymous with cork Asian the Caucasian

synonymous with cork Asian the Caucasian comes from the Caucasus Mountains a

comes from the Caucasus Mountains a

comes from the Caucasus Mountains a mountain range divides Europe in Asia

mountain range divides Europe in Asia

mountain range divides Europe in Asia today the present-day countries of

today the present-day countries of

today the present-day countries of Georgia Azerbaijan and Armenia a true

Georgia Azerbaijan and Armenia a true

Georgia Azerbaijan and Armenia a true Caucasian is a resident of this region

Caucasian is a resident of this region

Caucasian is a resident of this region the word caucus itself means Mountain

the word caucus itself means Mountain

the word caucus itself means Mountain however you have millions of people in

however you have millions of people in

however you have millions of people in the Americas who call themselves by the

the Americas who call themselves by the

the Americas who call themselves by the name of the land and the people halfway

name of the land and the people halfway

name of the land and the people halfway across the world they have no direct

across the world they have no direct

across the world they have no direct relationship to nor have they ever lived

relationship to nor have they ever lived

relationship to nor have they ever lived on a mountain blumenbach himself

on a mountain blumenbach himself

on a mountain blumenbach himself included Arabs and people of Indian

included Arabs and people of Indian

included Arabs and people of Indian descent into this categorization

descent into this categorization

descent into this categorization of their skull structure therefore a

of their skull structure therefore a

of their skull structure therefore a quark Asian skin color can range from

quark Asian skin color can range from

quark Asian skin color can range from the lightest of skin to the darkest of

the lightest of skin to the darkest of

the lightest of skin to the darkest of skin Caucasian is not a race then we

skin Caucasian is not a race then we

skin Caucasian is not a race then we have Asian most of us associate Asian to

have Asian most of us associate Asian to

have Asian most of us associate Asian to slant that I people but we forget that

slant that I people but we forget that

slant that I people but we forget that Asia encompasses two-thirds of the

Asia encompasses two-thirds of the

Asia encompasses two-thirds of the world’s population one third of the

world’s population one third of the

world’s population one third of the Earth’s landmass speaks over 2,000

Earth’s landmass speaks over 2,000

Earth’s landmass speaks over 2,000 dialects it has 48 countries ranging

dialects it has 48 countries ranging

dialects it has 48 countries ranging from Russia to Japan to Iraq to

from Russia to Japan to Iraq to

from Russia to Japan to Iraq to Afghanistan Asia from the word a surah

Afghanistan Asia from the word a surah

Afghanistan Asia from the word a surah which is present-day western Turkey

which is present-day western Turkey

which is present-day western Turkey whose name was spread as far as the Far

whose name was spread as far as the Far

whose name was spread as far as the Far East due to Alexander the Great’s

East due to Alexander the Great’s

East due to Alexander the Great’s conquest so when a Chinese person

conquest so when a Chinese person

conquest so when a Chinese person affirms themselves as an Asian they’re

affirms themselves as an Asian they’re

affirms themselves as an Asian they’re calling themselves by the name of a land

calling themselves by the name of a land

calling themselves by the name of a land and a people they have no relationship

and a people they have no relationship

and a people they have no relationship to and an Asian skin color can range

to and an Asian skin color can range

to and an Asian skin color can range from the lightest of skin to the darkest

from the lightest of skin to the darkest

from the lightest of skin to the darkest of skin Asian is not a race African

of skin Asian is not a race African

of skin Asian is not a race African comes from Scipio africanus the great

comes from Scipio africanus the great

comes from Scipio africanus the great Roman military general who conquered

Roman military general who conquered

Roman military general who conquered northern Africa during the famed Battle

northern Africa during the famed Battle

northern Africa during the famed Battle of Carthage and whose credit was given

of Carthage and whose credit was given

of Carthage and whose credit was given during on the naming of the land on the

during on the naming of the land on the

during on the naming of the land on the map Africa so when an african-american

map Africa so when an african-american

map Africa so when an african-american is affirmed as such they’re calling

is affirmed as such they’re calling

is affirmed as such they’re calling ourselves by the names of two white

ourselves by the names of two white

ourselves by the names of two white Italian men both African and American

Italian men both African and American

Italian men both African and American alluding to the grouping of thousands of

alluding to the grouping of thousands of

alluding to the grouping of thousands of cultures from around the world whose

cultures from around the world whose

cultures from around the world whose skin colors range from the lightest of

skin colors range from the lightest of

skin colors range from the lightest of skin to the darkest of skin

skin to the darkest of skin

skin to the darkest of skin african-american is not a race Latino

african-american is not a race Latino

african-american is not a race Latino and Hispanic are identities on the based

and Hispanic are identities on the based

and Hispanic are identities on the based on the premise of language Hispanic

on the premise of language Hispanic

on the premise of language Hispanic comes from Hispania which is a Latin

comes from Hispania which is a Latin

comes from Hispania which is a Latin term for Iberia the present-day

term for Iberia the present-day

term for Iberia the present-day countries of Spain and Portugal formed

countries of Spain and Portugal formed

countries of Spain and Portugal formed during the census in 1980s this

during the census in 1980s this

during the census in 1980s this categorization attempts to group

categorization attempts to group

categorization attempts to group thousands of American cultures under the

thousands of American cultures under the

thousands of American cultures under the banner of speaking Castellanos which is

banner of speaking Castellanos which is

banner of speaking Castellanos which is a dialect with n Iberia not a language

a dialect with n Iberia not a language

a dialect with n Iberia not a language that everybody on the Americas speaks so

that everybody on the Americas speaks so

that everybody on the Americas speaks so in its essence it is exclusive right the

in its essence it is exclusive right the

in its essence it is exclusive right the Hispanic skin color range from the

Hispanic skin color range from the

Hispanic skin color range from the lightest of skin to the darkest of skin

lightest of skin to the darkest of skin

lightest of skin to the darkest of skin Hispanic is not a race Latino comes from

Hispanic is not a race Latino comes from

Hispanic is not a race Latino comes from latinus or Latium the geographic area of

latinus or Latium the geographic area of

latinus or Latium the geographic area of the Rome before the establishment of the

the Rome before the establishment of the

the Rome before the establishment of the Roman

Roman

Roman and it’s people were called the Latins

and it’s people were called the Latins

and it’s people were called the Latins so here again millions of people from

so here again millions of people from

so here again millions of people from the Western Hemisphere calling

the Western Hemisphere calling

the Western Hemisphere calling themselves by the name of Al and and a

themselves by the name of Al and and a

themselves by the name of Al and and a coach and the people halfway across the

coach and the people halfway across the

coach and the people halfway across the world they have no direct relationship

world they have no direct relationship

world they have no direct relationship sue and probably didn’t know existed

sue and probably didn’t know existed

sue and probably didn’t know existed whose skin colors range from the

whose skin colors range from the

whose skin colors range from the lightest of skin to the darkest of skin

lightest of skin to the darkest of skin

lightest of skin to the darkest of skin Latino is not a race none of them are

Latino is not a race none of them are

Latino is not a race none of them are real nor do they carry any concrete

real nor do they carry any concrete

real nor do they carry any concrete meaning just assumed associations and

meaning just assumed associations and

meaning just assumed associations and these words don’t have any power on

these words don’t have any power on

these words don’t have any power on their own we give them power tools for

their own we give them power tools for

their own we give them power tools for social navigation and when we get to

social navigation and when we get to

social navigation and when we get to realize that we’re the ones that give

realize that we’re the ones that give

realize that we’re the ones that give them power meaning then we become

them power meaning then we become

them power meaning then we become responsible for our words and our

responsible for our words and our

responsible for our words and our actions if we are enormous educated in

actions if we are enormous educated in

actions if we are enormous educated in any way about the truth of our human

any way about the truth of our human

any way about the truth of our human story with all its faults and all its

story with all its faults and all its

story with all its faults and all its glories and somehow end up internalizing

glories and somehow end up internalizing

glories and somehow end up internalizing that we’re inferior our chances of

that we’re inferior our chances of

that we’re inferior our chances of living into our potential decrease in

living into our potential decrease in

living into our potential decrease in probability because affirming yourself

probability because affirming yourself

probability because affirming yourself without understanding can impede who you

without understanding can impede who you

without understanding can impede who you are now to make this practical and

are now to make this practical and

are now to make this practical and personal take this study done by Malcolm

personal take this study done by Malcolm

personal take this study done by Malcolm Gladwell his book blink two groups of

Gladwell his book blink two groups of

Gladwell his book blink two groups of African Americans same academic

African Americans same academic

African Americans same academic qualification given the same test and

qualification given the same test and

qualification given the same test and while Group one scored at an average

while Group one scored at an average

while Group one scored at an average that could be determined the second

that could be determined the second

that could be determined the second group was given a prep questionnaire

group was given a prep questionnaire

group was given a prep questionnaire where they were asked are you black yes

where they were asked are you black yes

where they were asked are you black yes or no and as this group Sir Paul circled

or no and as this group Sir Paul circled

or no and as this group Sir Paul circled yes they scored 50% lower than their

yes they scored 50% lower than their

yes they scored 50% lower than their counterparts in this case asserting

counterparts in this case asserting

counterparts in this case asserting blackness as a racial construct came

blackness as a racial construct came

blackness as a racial construct came attached with a position of inferiority

attached with a position of inferiority

attached with a position of inferiority in this case race affected performance

in this case race affected performance

in this case race affected performance the test takers self-sabotage I mean

the test takers self-sabotage I mean

the test takers self-sabotage I mean they believe that black is on the bottom

they believe that black is on the bottom

they believe that black is on the bottom of the ladder well when I read this I

of the ladder well when I read this I

of the ladder well when I read this I thought to myself what if that second

thought to myself what if that second

thought to myself what if that second group was pre-prepped

group was pre-prepped

group was pre-prepped to understanding the truth and the

to understanding the truth and the

to understanding the truth and the beauty and the power behind the story of

beauty and the power behind the story of

beauty and the power behind the story of million native people in the world would

million native people in the world would

million native people in the world would they have performed better what if

they have performed better what if

they have performed better what if people who were never exposed to the

people who were never exposed to the

people who were never exposed to the knowledge of their cultural history were

knowledge of their cultural history were

knowledge of their cultural history were exposed to it would they perform better

exposed to it would they perform better

exposed to it would they perform better so I took it on I’d collected as much

so I took it on I’d collected as much

so I took it on I’d collected as much information about history and coaching

information about history and coaching

information about history and coaching the americas traveled around the world

the americas traveled around the world

the americas traveled around the world to experience it and

to experience it and

to experience it and to educate as many as I could and as

to educate as many as I could and as

to educate as many as I could and as I’ve educated thousands across the

I’ve educated thousands across the

I’ve educated thousands across the country I’ve generally gotten the same

country I’ve generally gotten the same

country I’ve generally gotten the same response people expressing their

response people expressing their

response people expressing their gratitude for feeling free to declare

gratitude for feeling free to declare

gratitude for feeling free to declare who they are a declaration that does not

who they are a declaration that does not

who they are a declaration that does not have to be associated to the concept of

have to be associated to the concept of

have to be associated to the concept of race then I thought to myself how could

race then I thought to myself how could

race then I thought to myself how could I take this to a larger scale

I take this to a larger scale

I take this to a larger scale so now just through study but personal

so now just through study but personal

so now just through study but personal experience have I realized the power

experience have I realized the power

experience have I realized the power between the relationship of our frame of

between the relationship of our frame of

between the relationship of our frame of thought and what manifests in our

thought and what manifests in our

thought and what manifests in our physical reality and being that many of

physical reality and being that many of

physical reality and being that many of us are mentally imprisoned by a

us are mentally imprisoned by a

us are mentally imprisoned by a justification or light Oh for a

justification or light Oh for a

justification or light Oh for a justification who better to work with

justification who better to work with

justification who better to work with them people who manifested prison in

them people who manifested prison in

them people who manifested prison in their lives another justification who

their lives another justification who

their lives another justification who better to work with them with prisoners

better to work with them with prisoners

better to work with them with prisoners in this county blacks and Latinos make

in this county blacks and Latinos make

in this county blacks and Latinos make up 40% of the population yet find

up 40% of the population yet find

up 40% of the population yet find themselves at the 80th percentile inside

themselves at the 80th percentile inside

themselves at the 80th percentile inside of our county facility dumbfounded by

of our county facility dumbfounded by

of our county facility dumbfounded by this statistic I wrote and proposed a

this statistic I wrote and proposed a

this statistic I wrote and proposed a curriculum to the Department of

curriculum to the Department of

curriculum to the Department of Corrections to teach inmates what I

Corrections to teach inmates what I

Corrections to teach inmates what I called cultural and social consciousness

called cultural and social consciousness

called cultural and social consciousness education under the premise of community

education under the premise of community

education under the premise of community reintegration and the Second Chance Act

reintegration and the Second Chance Act

reintegration and the Second Chance Act so for the past three years I’ve been

so for the past three years I’ve been

so for the past three years I’ve been working with the self-medicated

working with the self-medicated

working with the self-medicated drug-addicted population men and women

drug-addicted population men and women

drug-addicted population men and women many of them suffering I hypothesize

many of them suffering I hypothesize

many of them suffering I hypothesize because they forgot their greatness a

because they forgot their greatness a

because they forgot their greatness a population whose recidivism rates

population whose recidivism rates

population whose recidivism rates dropped drastically due to this

dropped drastically due to this

dropped drastically due to this remembrance and newfound self-awareness

remembrance and newfound self-awareness

remembrance and newfound self-awareness through cultural and social

through cultural and social

through cultural and social consciousness education I run this

consciousness education I run this

consciousness education I run this education on the actual tears just me

education on the actual tears just me

education on the actual tears just me and them and so many times I’ve had have

and them and so many times I’ve had have

and them and so many times I’ve had have them stand up with this realized look in

them stand up with this realized look in

them stand up with this realized look in their face proclaim their humanity and

their face proclaim their humanity and

their face proclaim their humanity and denounce racism even though they

denounce racism even though they

denounce racism even though they themselves are racist their whole lives

themselves are racist their whole lives

themselves are racist their whole lives to the point where it created a sense of

to the point where it created a sense of

to the point where it created a sense of unity amongst the inmates to the point

unity amongst the inmates to the point

unity amongst the inmates to the point where you could walk into a jail setting

where you could walk into a jail setting

where you could walk into a jail setting and if you could imagine positive energy

and if you could imagine positive energy

and if you could imagine positive energy emanating from that room a Turkish

emanating from that room a Turkish

emanating from that room a Turkish education or carried it to the staff of

education or carried it to the staff of

education or carried it to the staff of correctional facilities and began to

correctional facilities and began to

correctional facilities and began to work with juveniles at juvenile

work with juveniles at juvenile

work with juveniles at juvenile detention centers helping them educating

detention centers helping them educating

detention centers helping them educating them and mentoring them and had many

them and mentoring them and had many

them and mentoring them and had many successful outcomes one of my best cases

successful outcomes one of my best cases

successful outcomes one of my best cases was that I was referred an eighteen year

was that I was referred an eighteen year

was that I was referred an eighteen year old who was in the tenth grade no

old who was in the tenth grade no

old who was in the tenth grade no motivation no drive to wanna move for

motivation no drive to wanna move for

motivation no drive to wanna move for and within a few weeks of the education

and within a few weeks of the education

and within a few weeks of the education he went from being a sophomore in high

he went from being a sophomore in high

he went from being a sophomore in high school to a freshman in college he just

school to a freshman in college he just

school to a freshman in college he just finished his first semester and as of

finished his first semester and as of

finished his first semester and as of this year culture and social

this year culture and social

this year culture and social consciousness education will be

consciousness education will be

consciousness education will be implemented throughout the Jersey City

implemented throughout the Jersey City

implemented throughout the Jersey City School District so we’re much success so

School District so we’re much success so

School District so we’re much success so the success with much success behind

the success with much success behind

the success with much success behind this education I understood it was

this education I understood it was

this education I understood it was because people found a foundation within

because people found a foundation within

because people found a foundation within themselves knowledge of self knowledge

themselves knowledge of self knowledge

themselves knowledge of self knowledge of their culture and the history and

of their culture and the history and

of their culture and the history and knowledge of their ability to have an

knowledge of their ability to have an

knowledge of their ability to have an impact on the world maybe there can a

impact on the world maybe there can a

impact on the world maybe there can a youth with no motivation or Drive wants

youth with no motivation or Drive wants

youth with no motivation or Drive wants to move forward so this is a call to

to move forward so this is a call to

to move forward so this is a call to action that may we realize the

action that may we realize the

action that may we realize the importance of learning our own culture

importance of learning our own culture

importance of learning our own culture and the culture of others and embed that

and the culture of others and embed that

and the culture of others and embed that into our education it’s our employment

into our education it’s our employment

into our education it’s our employment and our institutions and guarantee

and our institutions and guarantee

and our institutions and guarantee racism won’t know how to rear its ugly

racism won’t know how to rear its ugly

racism won’t know how to rear its ugly head ever again and instead of feeling

head ever again and instead of feeling

head ever again and instead of feeling inferior and undeserving when it comes

inferior and undeserving when it comes

inferior and undeserving when it comes time to answer one of the most important

time to answer one of the most important

time to answer one of the most important questions in life what am i that may we

questions in life what am i that may we

questions in life what am i that may we understand that however we answer

understand that however we answer

understand that however we answer affirms who we are in the present moment

affirms who we are in the present moment

affirms who we are in the present moment and that that affirmation of being is

and that that affirmation of being is

and that that affirmation of being is tied to all the beauty and all the

tied to all the beauty and all the

tied to all the beauty and all the struggle of our ancestry allowing us to

struggle of our ancestry allowing us to

struggle of our ancestry allowing us to be filled with love and move and freedom

be filled with love and move and freedom

be filled with love and move and freedom and allow others to do so as well

and allow others to do so as well

and allow others to do so as well regardless of their bodies relationship

regardless of their bodies relationship

regardless of their bodies relationship to the Sun as human beings with all the

to the Sun as human beings with all the

to the Sun as human beings with all the rights that they deserve by declaring

rights that they deserve by declaring

rights that they deserve by declaring such and even more so that as a father

such and even more so that as a father

such and even more so that as a father of five beautiful children that we learn

of five beautiful children that we learn

of five beautiful children that we learn to create a world that communicates

to create a world that communicates

to create a world that communicates unity so that maybe one day they won’t

unity so that maybe one day they won’t

unity so that maybe one day they won’t have to come home sad and confused

have to come home sad and confused

have to come home sad and confused because their friends won’t talk to them

because their friends won’t talk to them

because their friends won’t talk to them because of their race so I’ll leave you

because of their race so I’ll leave you

because of their race so I’ll leave you all with this in order to be empowered

all with this in order to be empowered

all with this in order to be empowered one must understand the power and the

one must understand the power and the

one must understand the power and the right behind self declaration where my

right behind self declaration where my

right behind self declaration where my humans act

”

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