I heard a statistic recently that’s been keeping me from sleep one person every
keeping me from sleep one person every
keeping me from sleep one person every two weeks leaps from the Golden Gate
two weeks leaps from the Golden Gate
two weeks leaps from the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco into the murky
Bridge of San Francisco into the murky
Bridge of San Francisco into the murky waters of the deep in that for lasts for
waters of the deep in that for lasts for
waters of the deep in that for lasts for four seconds at 86 miles per hour
four seconds at 86 miles per hour
four seconds at 86 miles per hour colliding with a current by which they
colliding with a current by which they
colliding with a current by which they are devoured and now I can’t stop the
are devoured and now I can’t stop the
are devoured and now I can’t stop the visions about the little decisions that
visions about the little decisions that
visions about the little decisions that might have been made when they woke up
might have been made when they woke up
might have been made when they woke up in the morning to when they went back to
in the morning to when they went back to
in the morning to when they went back to sleep again in Maher says their fellow
sleep again in Maher says their fellow
sleep again in Maher says their fellow human see for some reason I’m assuming a
human see for some reason I’m assuming a
human see for some reason I’m assuming a maybe they got to Chubin read the
maybe they got to Chubin read the
maybe they got to Chubin read the Morning News on a paper given to them by
Morning News on a paper given to them by
Morning News on a paper given to them by some do today with me on that commute
some do today with me on that commute
some do today with me on that commute and I’m thinking what do they have for
and I’m thinking what do they have for
and I’m thinking what do they have for breakfast they pour a glass of fresh
breakfast they pour a glass of fresh
breakfast they pour a glass of fresh orange make a bowl of porridge and more
orange make a bowl of porridge and more
orange make a bowl of porridge and more shoes that they wear and what color were
shoes that they wear and what color were
shoes that they wear and what color were their socks where they’d a thin ankle
their socks where they’d a thin ankle
their socks where they’d a thin ankle ones that they would wear when they
ones that they would wear when they
ones that they would wear when they played squash or a thermo type the ones
played squash or a thermo type the ones
played squash or a thermo type the ones that wear when they would hike around
that wear when they would hike around
that wear when they would hike around the city hills at night overlooking San
the city hills at night overlooking San
the city hills at night overlooking San Francisco city lights and did they
Francisco city lights and did they
Francisco city lights and did they decide to style their hair put that bro
decide to style their hair put that bro
decide to style their hair put that bro cream in their fingers and stare into
cream in their fingers and stare into
cream in their fingers and stare into the mirror their mind elsewhere but
the mirror their mind elsewhere but
the mirror their mind elsewhere but their reflection consistent as ever
their reflection consistent as ever
their reflection consistent as ever because it is always there do they
because it is always there do they
because it is always there do they decide to lock their door knowing that
decide to lock their door knowing that
decide to lock their door knowing that they were never coming back well if it
they were never coming back well if it
they were never coming back well if it did it connected us I did the same when
did it connected us I did the same when
did it connected us I did the same when I left my flat you and I here today at
I left my flat you and I here today at
I left my flat you and I here today at TEDx we are connected and I wish we make
TEDx we are connected and I wish we make
TEDx we are connected and I wish we make that clear right it might remove some of
that clear right it might remove some of
that clear right it might remove some of the fear we feel when we view each
the fear we feel when we view each
the fear we feel when we view each other’s exteriors I’ve been going to a
other’s exteriors I’ve been going to a
other’s exteriors I’ve been going to a prison once a month and we sit with
prison once a month and we sit with
prison once a month and we sit with these men and I try not to think about
these men and I try not to think about
these men and I try not to think about what they’ve done because when I do our
what they’ve done because when I do our
what they’ve done because when I do our connection gets severed and that
connection gets severed and that
connection gets severed and that distance that grows between us is so
distance that grows between us is so
distance that grows between us is so large it can’t be measured because these
large it can’t be measured because these
large it can’t be measured because these men are modern-day lepers their men were
men are modern-day lepers their men were
men are modern-day lepers their men were bells around their necks because I judge
bells around their necks because I judge
bells around their necks because I judge them for a sin by a moral stand that
them for a sin by a moral stand that
them for a sin by a moral stand that I’ve never met and yeah it’s the same
I’ve never met and yeah it’s the same
I’ve never met and yeah it’s the same process I use when I turn a stranger
process I use when I turn a stranger
process I use when I turn a stranger into a shadow
into a shadow
into a shadow shopkeeper into a transaction and a
shopkeeper into a transaction and a
shopkeeper into a transaction and a criminal into an animal but we are human
criminal into an animal but we are human
criminal into an animal but we are human and isn’t that the goal to become human
and isn’t that the goal to become human
and isn’t that the goal to become human fully here fully present interwove and
fully here fully present interwove and
fully here fully present interwove and restored ruins yet we have made such a
restored ruins yet we have made such a
restored ruins yet we have made such a connection with failure and rejection
connection with failure and rejection
connection with failure and rejection success and acceptance that we can’t
success and acceptance that we can’t
success and acceptance that we can’t have a conversation without preconceived
have a conversation without preconceived
have a conversation without preconceived misconceptions but I don’t want the
misconceptions but I don’t want the
misconceptions but I don’t want the first time my daughter to hear that I
first time my daughter to hear that I
first time my daughter to hear that I love her to be when she brings home an A
love her to be when she brings home an A
love her to be when she brings home an A or for my son to know I think he’s
or for my son to know I think he’s
or for my son to know I think he’s amazing
amazing
amazing just cuz he scored his first goal in a
just cuz he scored his first goal in a
just cuz he scored his first goal in a game I want to tell her why she’s
game I want to tell her why she’s
game I want to tell her why she’s brushing her teeth I want to sing her
brushing her teeth I want to sing her
brushing her teeth I want to sing her over him while he’s still asleep
over him while he’s still asleep
over him while he’s still asleep I want us to eat with the strangers that
I want us to eat with the strangers that
I want us to eat with the strangers that we meet in the street cuz our hearts of
we meet in the street cuz our hearts of
we meet in the street cuz our hearts of stolen become hard to flesh when we
stolen become hard to flesh when we
stolen become hard to flesh when we learn where the weary ones weep and we
learn where the weary ones weep and we
learn where the weary ones weep and we go to where the broken ones live and we
go to where the broken ones live and we
go to where the broken ones live and we make life warmer than that water that
make life warmer than that water that
make life warmer than that water that flows under the Golden Gate Bridge I
believe we can deal with the heart of a
believe we can deal with the heart of a matter when we begin healing matters at
matter when we begin healing matters at
matter when we begin healing matters at aha and I believe that we can change the
aha and I believe that we can change the
aha and I believe that we can change the world I believe that we can bring hope
world I believe that we can bring hope
world I believe that we can bring hope to the hopeless and healing to the
to the hopeless and healing to the
to the hopeless and healing to the broken that we can be walking answers to
broken that we can be walking answers to
broken that we can be walking answers to cries unheard and prayers unspoken and I
cries unheard and prayers unspoken and I
cries unheard and prayers unspoken and I started writing poetry just to make
started writing poetry just to make
started writing poetry just to make sense of this world I started writing a
sense of this world I started writing a
sense of this world I started writing a young age I remember coming home from
young age I remember coming home from
young age I remember coming home from school with a page of worlds filled with
school with a page of worlds filled with
school with a page of worlds filled with the lines of from my teacher and I
the lines of from my teacher and I
the lines of from my teacher and I didn’t mind I just discovered the
didn’t mind I just discovered the
didn’t mind I just discovered the liberation of speaking into the chaos of
liberation of speaking into the chaos of
liberation of speaking into the chaos of being nine I knew from a young age
being nine I knew from a young age
being nine I knew from a young age something wasn’t quite right something
something wasn’t quite right something
something wasn’t quite right something was broken in this place that there was
was broken in this place that there was
was broken in this place that there was a fly in the ointment
a fly in the ointment
a fly in the ointment my sisters and I spent our formative
my sisters and I spent our formative
my sisters and I spent our formative years living in an impoverished area of
years living in an impoverished area of
years living in an impoverished area of northern Pakistan where my father helped
northern Pakistan where my father helped
northern Pakistan where my father helped build a hospital and we quickly became
build a hospital and we quickly became
build a hospital and we quickly became accustomed to the image of limbless
accustomed to the image of limbless
accustomed to the image of limbless beggars lying in the streets of the
beggars lying in the streets of the
beggars lying in the streets of the markets the dusty faces of the children
markets the dusty faces of the children
markets the dusty faces of the children that we would play with but who would
that we would play with but who would
that we would play with but who would not share our futures we witness
not share our futures we witness
not share our futures we witness hopelessness and brokenness on our
hopelessness and brokenness on our
hopelessness and brokenness on our doorstep I remember one night going to
doorstep I remember one night going to
doorstep I remember one night going to sleep hearing gunshots from my window as
sleep hearing gunshots from my window as
sleep hearing gunshots from my window as you danced for over a bridge near our
you danced for over a bridge near our
you danced for over a bridge near our home and my mom prayed for me as I fell
home and my mom prayed for me as I fell
home and my mom prayed for me as I fell asleep one morning we woke up to find a
asleep one morning we woke up to find a
asleep one morning we woke up to find a community of Afghani refugees laid out
community of Afghani refugees laid out
community of Afghani refugees laid out on our front lawn and my mother filled
on our front lawn and my mother filled
on our front lawn and my mother filled the tiny hands of my sisters and I with
the tiny hands of my sisters and I with
the tiny hands of my sisters and I with pots and pans toiletries sacks of
pots and pans toiletries sacks of
pots and pans toiletries sacks of potatoes anything that she could pull
potatoes anything that she could pull
potatoes anything that she could pull from the cupboard of our home to make
from the cupboard of our home to make
from the cupboard of our home to make them feel like they had won it was in
them feel like they had won it was in
them feel like they had won it was in those days that I realized we could
those days that I realized we could
those days that I realized we could change the world that we could bring
change the world that we could bring
change the world that we could bring hope to the hopeless healing to the
hope to the hopeless healing to the
hope to the hopeless healing to the broken we could be walking answers to
broken we could be walking answers to
broken we could be walking answers to cries unheard and prayers unspoken and
cries unheard and prayers unspoken and
cries unheard and prayers unspoken and it was in those days I got a taste for
it was in those days I got a taste for
it was in those days I got a taste for revolution it was in those days I sought
revolution it was in those days I sought
revolution it was in those days I sought the dream of being a part of something
the dream of being a part of something
the dream of being a part of something bigger than myself revival renewal it
bigger than myself revival renewal it
bigger than myself revival renewal it was in those days I began a dream about
was in those days I began a dream about
was in those days I began a dream about change in the world but I didn’t grew up
change in the world but I didn’t grew up
change in the world but I didn’t grew up to become a missionary like my parents I
to become a missionary like my parents I
to become a missionary like my parents I grew up to become a millennial I grew up
grew up to become a millennial I grew up
grew up to become a millennial I grew up in the age of Instagram filters Twitter
in the age of Instagram filters Twitter
in the age of Instagram filters Twitter feeds 80,000 Starbucks combinations
feeds 80,000 Starbucks combinations
feeds 80,000 Starbucks combinations where every 60 seconds 136 thousand
where every 60 seconds 136 thousand
where every 60 seconds 136 thousand photos are uploaded 200,000 new comments
photos are uploaded 200,000 new comments
photos are uploaded 200,000 new comments are posted and every single minute
are posted and every single minute
are posted and every single minute 400,000 statuses updated I grew up to
400,000 statuses updated I grew up to
400,000 statuses updated I grew up to find a world that I could fit in my
find a world that I could fit in my
find a world that I could fit in my pocket a universe in my palm I became a
pocket a universe in my palm I became a
pocket a universe in my palm I became a man in the age of the documented and
man in the age of the documented and
man in the age of the documented and have perfected the connected but the
have perfected the connected but the
have perfected the connected but the distant where every single day I run the
distant where every single day I run the
distant where every single day I run the risk of scrolling through my 20s as I
risk of scrolling through my 20s as I
risk of scrolling through my 20s as I linger over the image of someone else’s
linger over the image of someone else’s
linger over the image of someone else’s brunch missing the moments I was made
brunch missing the moments I was made
brunch missing the moments I was made for you know social anxiety has become a
for you know social anxiety has become a
for you know social anxiety has become a way of life for my generation because
way of life for my generation because
way of life for my generation because never before have we had the task of
never before have we had the task of
never before have we had the task of being compared to our own digital facade
being compared to our own digital facade
being compared to our own digital facade and we become so self analytical self
and we become so self analytical self
and we become so self analytical self preservation and perfectionism has
preservation and perfectionism has
preservation and perfectionism has become overwhelming as we’ve become
become overwhelming as we’ve become
become overwhelming as we’ve become obsessed with their world in our hands
obsessed with their world in our hands
obsessed with their world in our hands and forgotten about the world that beats
and forgotten about the world that beats
and forgotten about the world that beats within us as amazing as this age of
within us as amazing as this age of
within us as amazing as this age of information and Technology truly is
information and Technology truly is
information and Technology truly is if access to information does not lead
if access to information does not lead
if access to information does not lead us to impact the life of an individual
us to impact the life of an individual
us to impact the life of an individual does it make us more human and isn’t
does it make us more human and isn’t
does it make us more human and isn’t that the goal to become human
that the goal to become human
that the goal to become human I got lofty ideas of what it means to be
I got lofty ideas of what it means to be
I got lofty ideas of what it means to be human because I think we’re more than
human because I think we’re more than
human because I think we’re more than flesh and bones in the same way somehow
flesh and bones in the same way somehow
flesh and bones in the same way somehow our house is more than brick and mortar
our house is more than brick and mortar
our house is more than brick and mortar when someone calls it a home man I think
when someone calls it a home man I think
when someone calls it a home man I think we’re walking miracles with shadows
we’re walking miracles with shadows
we’re walking miracles with shadows equations that don’t add up but still
equations that don’t add up but still
equations that don’t add up but still managed to tie shoelaces and I’ve always
managed to tie shoelaces and I’ve always
managed to tie shoelaces and I’ve always thought it’s the poet’s role in society
thought it’s the poet’s role in society
thought it’s the poet’s role in society to remind us to be human and I love I’ve
to remind us to be human and I love I’ve
to remind us to be human and I love I’ve never felt more fulfilled than when I’m
never felt more fulfilled than when I’m
never felt more fulfilled than when I’m using my words to speak into the chaos
using my words to speak into the chaos
using my words to speak into the chaos of our time and I’m able to paint a
of our time and I’m able to paint a
of our time and I’m able to paint a picture of something bigger than myself
picture of something bigger than myself
picture of something bigger than myself to remind us of the song that’s still
to remind us of the song that’s still
to remind us of the song that’s still being sung and a story there isn’t over
being sung and a story there isn’t over
being sung and a story there isn’t over the baseline of something better humming
the baseline of something better humming
the baseline of something better humming in the distance and I’ve been elbow over
in the distance and I’ve been elbow over
in the distance and I’ve been elbow over the last few years to use my words and
the last few years to use my words and
the last few years to use my words and partner with organizations and charities
partner with organizations and charities
partner with organizations and charities individuals who are changing the world
individuals who are changing the world
individuals who are changing the world I’ve been able to stand on soap boxes
I’ve been able to stand on soap boxes
I’ve been able to stand on soap boxes and speak about the issues facing our
and speak about the issues facing our
and speak about the issues facing our times but also bring awareness to the
times but also bring awareness to the
times but also bring awareness to the hands of healing that are buried deep in
hands of healing that are buried deep in
hands of healing that are buried deep in the soil of despair planting seeds of
the soil of despair planting seeds of
the soil of despair planting seeds of change and revolution from the
change and revolution from the
change and revolution from the Samaritans who will listen to anyone
Samaritans who will listen to anyone
Samaritans who will listen to anyone anywhere just to ensure that you know
anywhere just to ensure that you know
anywhere just to ensure that you know that you are not alone in this world
that you are not alone in this world
that you are not alone in this world filled with despair to the pre-emptive
filled with despair to the pre-emptive
filled with despair to the pre-emptive love coalition who work on the front
love coalition who work on the front
love coalition who work on the front lines of conflict zones bringing
lines of conflict zones bringing
lines of conflict zones bringing restoration and care of families and
restoration and care of families and
restoration and care of families and it’s been working with these
it’s been working with these
it’s been working with these organizations right in for their causes
organizations right in for their causes
organizations right in for their causes that I’ve rediscovered the boy in
that I’ve rediscovered the boy in
that I’ve rediscovered the boy in Pakistan who dreamt the restoration
Pakistan who dreamt the restoration
Pakistan who dreamt the restoration dreamt of being part of a revolution of
dreamt of being part of a revolution of
dreamt of being part of a revolution of some sort and it’s in these days I’m a
some sort and it’s in these days I’m a
some sort and it’s in these days I’m a learning to unlearn so much of what this
learning to unlearn so much of what this
learning to unlearn so much of what this age has taught me somewhere along the
age has taught me somewhere along the
age has taught me somewhere along the way I believe the lie that fulfillment
way I believe the lie that fulfillment
way I believe the lie that fulfillment is found at the end of a time line but
is found at the end of a time line but
is found at the end of a time line but that time line never ends and access to
that time line never ends and access to
that time line never ends and access to information doesn’t
information doesn’t
information doesn’t always empower us to action often it
always empower us to action often it
always empower us to action often it overwhelms us to the point and we
overwhelms us to the point and we
overwhelms us to the point and we believe we can even make a difference I
become so aware that the age I’m living
become so aware that the age I’m living in will distract me from the world in
in will distract me from the world in
in will distract me from the world in here where they pull to be obsessed with
here where they pull to be obsessed with
here where they pull to be obsessed with a world in here or a world out there I
a world in here or a world out there I
a world in here or a world out there I have forgotten that the neighborhood I
have forgotten that the neighborhood I
have forgotten that the neighborhood I can change is within me the city I can
can change is within me the city I can
can change is within me the city I can rebuild is within me that is in here
rebuild is within me that is in here
rebuild is within me that is in here revolution truly begins if we spend more
revolution truly begins if we spend more
revolution truly begins if we spend more time looking through the world to our
time looking through the world to our
time looking through the world to our Instagram filters than we do analyzing
Instagram filters than we do analyzing
Instagram filters than we do analyzing the filters that we have that contribute
the filters that we have that contribute
the filters that we have that contribute to some of the greatest atrocities in
to some of the greatest atrocities in
to some of the greatest atrocities in our age our filters of prejudice our
our age our filters of prejudice our
our age our filters of prejudice our filters of pride our filters of
filters of pride our filters of
filters of pride our filters of ignorance then we will just walk in
ignorance then we will just walk in
ignorance then we will just walk in circles I know that we can’t disarm a
circles I know that we can’t disarm a
circles I know that we can’t disarm a entire regime on a Thursday afternoon
entire regime on a Thursday afternoon
entire regime on a Thursday afternoon but I have learned I can start with a
but I have learned I can start with a
but I have learned I can start with a soldier I can start by disarming a
soldier I can start by disarming a
soldier I can start by disarming a soldier standing before me and in 2011
soldier standing before me and in 2011
soldier standing before me and in 2011 the state of Maha and the state of the
the state of Maha and the state of the
the state of Maha and the state of the world through a very clear an acute
world through a very clear an acute
world through a very clear an acute connection I discovered the horror and
connection I discovered the horror and
connection I discovered the horror and the atrocity of human trafficking
the atrocity of human trafficking
the atrocity of human trafficking modern-day slavery
modern-day slavery
modern-day slavery I realized an idea that I thought was
I realized an idea that I thought was
I realized an idea that I thought was IKEA an issue I thought had been dealt
IKEA an issue I thought had been dealt
IKEA an issue I thought had been dealt with is alive more than ever that right
with is alive more than ever that right
with is alive more than ever that right now in this moment there are over thirty
now in this moment there are over thirty
now in this moment there are over thirty million women and children men in
million women and children men in
million women and children men in captivity of some sort from the cocoa
captivity of some sort from the cocoa
captivity of some sort from the cocoa fields of West Africa to the brothels
fields of West Africa to the brothels
fields of West Africa to the brothels here in Bristol slavery is happening and
here in Bristol slavery is happening and
here in Bristol slavery is happening and it is not an archaic idea is a business
it is not an archaic idea is a business
it is not an archaic idea is a business with a probability of a hundred and
with a probability of a hundred and
with a probability of a hundred and fifty billion right now and initially
fifty billion right now and initially
fifty billion right now and initially the information was so accessible I felt
the information was so accessible I felt
the information was so accessible I felt overwhelmed normed dumbed down to the
overwhelmed normed dumbed down to the
overwhelmed normed dumbed down to the idea that I could do anything to change
idea that I could do anything to change
idea that I could do anything to change and then I began learning about the
and then I began learning about the
and then I began learning about the organizations the individuals the people
organizations the individuals the people
organizations the individuals the people around the world the modern-day
around the world the modern-day
around the world the modern-day abolitionists working tirelessly to see
abolitionists working tirelessly to see
abolitionists working tirelessly to see we come and love 146 who free children
we come and love 146 who free children
we come and love 146 who free children caught in sexual exploitation and give
caught in sexual exploitation and give
caught in sexual exploitation and give them back their childhood to a 21
them back their childhood to a 21
them back their childhood to a 21 booting down doors of brothels freeing
booting down doors of brothels freeing
booting down doors of brothels freeing women who had been trafficked to
women who had been trafficked to
women who had been trafficked to unchosen here in Bristol through media
unchosen here in Bristol through media
unchosen here in Bristol through media and creativity bringing awareness and
and creativity bringing awareness and
and creativity bringing awareness and making noise about the horror of human
making noise about the horror of human
making noise about the horror of human trafficking I rediscovered a world I
trafficking I rediscovered a world I
trafficking I rediscovered a world I could change I discovered a revolution I
could change I discovered a revolution I
could change I discovered a revolution I could be a part of I could become an
could be a part of I could become an
could be a part of I could become an advocate an abolitionist I could become
advocate an abolitionist I could become
advocate an abolitionist I could become an activist I could scrutinize the
an activist I could scrutinize the
an activist I could scrutinize the supply chains I bought from I could
supply chains I bought from I could
supply chains I bought from I could raise awareness I could build attention
raise awareness I could build attention
raise awareness I could build attention I could change a world out there I could
I could change a world out there I could
I could change a world out there I could heal an issue out there and as
heal an issue out there and as
heal an issue out there and as disruptive and pure and Noble and
disruptive and pure and Noble and
disruptive and pure and Noble and profound and as important as I know that
profound and as important as I know that
profound and as important as I know that was and I know that is they didn’t take
was and I know that is they didn’t take
was and I know that is they didn’t take me long to realize that slavery isn’t a
me long to realize that slavery isn’t a
me long to realize that slavery isn’t a system that has evolved over time
system that has evolved over time
system that has evolved over time slavery is a sickness slavery is the
slavery is a sickness slavery is the
slavery is a sickness slavery is the symptom of an illness deep in the heart
symptom of an illness deep in the heart
symptom of an illness deep in the heart of mankind slavery exists because
of mankind slavery exists because
of mankind slavery exists because there’s a demand for it slavery exists
there’s a demand for it slavery exists
there’s a demand for it slavery exists because there’s a demand for sexual
because there’s a demand for sexual
because there’s a demand for sexual exploitation there is a demand for the
exploitation there is a demand for the
exploitation there is a demand for the objectification of an individual and our
objectification of an individual and our
objectification of an individual and our culture and society is becoming
culture and society is becoming
culture and society is becoming increasingly comfortable with it
increasingly comfortable with it
increasingly comfortable with it the Greek word porn a is where we get
the Greek word porn a is where we get
the Greek word porn a is where we get our English word porn from and it simply
our English word porn from and it simply
our English word porn from and it simply translates as prostituted pornography in
translates as prostituted pornography in
translates as prostituted pornography in its purest sense is sexual exploitation
its purest sense is sexual exploitation
its purest sense is sexual exploitation and pornography was for me as it is for
and pornography was for me as it is for
and pornography was for me as it is for many sexual education pornography gave
many sexual education pornography gave
many sexual education pornography gave me filters to which I saw the world to
me filters to which I saw the world to
me filters to which I saw the world to which I saw women myself and sexuality
which I saw women myself and sexuality
which I saw women myself and sexuality and so the young abolitionists in 2011
and so the young abolitionists in 2011
and so the young abolitionists in 2011 would fire in his belly is his to see
would fire in his belly is his to see
would fire in his belly is his to see slavery and had to make the haunting
slavery and had to make the haunting
slavery and had to make the haunting horrifying and humbling connection with
horrifying and humbling connection with
horrifying and humbling connection with the appetite that was
the appetite that was
the appetite that was fuelled in my belly fueled by
fuelled in my belly fueled by
fuelled in my belly fueled by pornography for sexual exploitation and
pornography for sexual exploitation and
pornography for sexual exploitation and objectification with the same hunger
objectification with the same hunger
objectification with the same hunger that hangs in the belly of men who
that hangs in the belly of men who
that hangs in the belly of men who shadowed the doorsteps of brothels and
shadowed the doorsteps of brothels and
shadowed the doorsteps of brothels and bed sets prisons and dungeons I realized
bed sets prisons and dungeons I realized
bed sets prisons and dungeons I realized that I was responsible to starve an
that I was responsible to starve an
that I was responsible to starve an appetite within myself that sought to
appetite within myself that sought to
appetite within myself that sought to feed a table resting upon the backs of
feed a table resting upon the backs of
feed a table resting upon the backs of slaves I realized it was the same
slaves I realized it was the same
slaves I realized it was the same computer that I used to research the
computer that I used to research the
computer that I used to research the horror of modern-day slavery as it was
horror of modern-day slavery as it was
horror of modern-day slavery as it was that I used to invest into the horror of
that I used to invest into the horror of
that I used to invest into the horror of modern-day slavery in 2011 I realized
modern-day slavery in 2011 I realized
modern-day slavery in 2011 I realized that slavery isn’t an issue out there
that slavery isn’t an issue out there
that slavery isn’t an issue out there it’s a symptom and a sickness in here in
it’s a symptom and a sickness in here in
it’s a symptom and a sickness in here in 2011 I realized that I can truly deal
2011 I realized that I can truly deal
2011 I realized that I can truly deal with the Harvie matter when I begin
with the Harvie matter when I begin
with the Harvie matter when I begin healing matters of maja like any patient
healing matters of maja like any patient
healing matters of maja like any patient I realized I was sick and I needed to
I realized I was sick and I needed to
I realized I was sick and I needed to become well by show of hands who
become well by show of hands who
become well by show of hands who remembers the image of a small Syrian
remembers the image of a small Syrian
remembers the image of a small Syrian boy washed up on a Turkish Beach most of
boy washed up on a Turkish Beach most of
boy washed up on a Turkish Beach most of the room his name was Alan Kurdi he was
the room his name was Alan Kurdi he was
the room his name was Alan Kurdi he was five years old and when I saw his
five years old and when I saw his
five years old and when I saw his picture like many of you my heart broke
picture like many of you my heart broke
picture like many of you my heart broke I actually cried when I saw his image
I actually cried when I saw his image
I actually cried when I saw his image but by the next day that image had been
but by the next day that image had been
but by the next day that image had been replaced by a hundred and thirty six
replaced by a hundred and thirty six
replaced by a hundred and thirty six thousand new photos per minute and Alan
thousand new photos per minute and Alan
thousand new photos per minute and Alan Kurdi
Kurdi
Kurdi got lost in the abyss of our timelines
got lost in the abyss of our timelines
got lost in the abyss of our timelines the constant changing tides and so I
the constant changing tides and so I
the constant changing tides and so I wrote a poem that I want to share with
wrote a poem that I want to share with
wrote a poem that I want to share with you today and it was a poem I knew I had
you today and it was a poem I knew I had
you today and it was a poem I knew I had to write because I knew I had to grieve
to write because I knew I had to grieve
to write because I knew I had to grieve and you had to lament the fact that this
and you had to lament the fact that this
and you had to lament the fact that this happened on my watch in my lifetime in
happened on my watch in my lifetime in
happened on my watch in my lifetime in my global neighborhood I had to
my global neighborhood I had to
my global neighborhood I had to acknowledge the fact that this wasn’t an
acknowledge the fact that this wasn’t an
acknowledge the fact that this wasn’t an issue out there it was an issue in here
issue out there it was an issue in here
issue out there it was an issue in here and as hopeless as that might sound I
and as hopeless as that might sound I
and as hopeless as that might sound I was actually filled and fueled
was actually filled and fueled
was actually filled and fueled empowered to make a change because I
empowered to make a change because I
empowered to make a change because I realized the power was in my hands I had
realized the power was in my hands I had
realized the power was in my hands I had the opportunity to scrutinize my
the opportunity to scrutinize my
the opportunity to scrutinize my prejudice prejudice question my pride
prejudice prejudice question my pride
prejudice prejudice question my pride deal with my ignorance I realized that a
deal with my ignorance I realized that a
deal with my ignorance I realized that a power is in our hands if the world that
power is in our hands if the world that
power is in our hands if the world that we seek to change is in our hearts and
we seek to change is in our hearts and
we seek to change is in our hearts and suddenly I realized I was a part of the
suddenly I realized I was a part of the
suddenly I realized I was a part of the revolution I’ve always dreamt of being
revolution I’ve always dreamt of being
revolution I’ve always dreamt of being involved in I was a part of change in
involved in I was a part of change in
involved in I was a part of change in the world that I was always dreamt of
the world that I was always dreamt of
the world that I was always dreamt of being a part of right now right here
being a part of right now right here
being a part of right now right here where I am and so I write about a hard
where I am and so I write about a hard
where I am and so I write about a hard man because I’m just trying to
man because I’m just trying to
man because I’m just trying to understand what we’re all here for and I
understand what we’re all here for and I
understand what we’re all here for and I shed a couple tears when I saw the
shed a couple tears when I saw the
shed a couple tears when I saw the picture of that kid lion still
picture of that kid lion still
picture of that kid lion still understand of the sea-shore because he
understand of the sea-shore because he
understand of the sea-shore because he should have been held in a castle and he
should have been held in a castle and he
should have been held in a castle and he should have had a bucket in a spade but
should have had a bucket in a spade but
should have had a bucket in a spade but with shoes full of war or our sons and
with shoes full of war or our sons and
with shoes full of war or our sons and our daughters are washing up on a shore
our daughters are washing up on a shore
our daughters are washing up on a shore like the waves I read the news that day
like the waves I read the news that day
like the waves I read the news that day on the train to my mom’s house an image
on the train to my mom’s house an image
on the train to my mom’s house an image on the front page changed my state of
on the front page changed my state of
on the front page changed my state of mind from sunrise to sundown and I’ve
mind from sunrise to sundown and I’ve
mind from sunrise to sundown and I’ve been trying to find a way out but I will
been trying to find a way out but I will
been trying to find a way out but I will never find an open door because how
never find an open door because how
never find an open door because how could I heal an issue that my heart
could I heal an issue that my heart
could I heal an issue that my heart hasn’t broken for of damn sure no
hasn’t broken for of damn sure no
hasn’t broken for of damn sure no disaster regazzi waters I remain silent
disaster regazzi waters I remain silent
disaster regazzi waters I remain silent on behalf of a walls still unspoken for
on behalf of a walls still unspoken for
on behalf of a walls still unspoken for man have you ever felt so powerless that
man have you ever felt so powerless that
man have you ever felt so powerless that I would slip the clock tick the wick
I would slip the clock tick the wick
I would slip the clock tick the wick burn the candle drip acting like you
burn the candle drip acting like you
burn the candle drip acting like you can’t handle it staring at your healthy
can’t handle it staring at your healthy
can’t handle it staring at your healthy hands acting like they’re wrapped in
hands acting like they’re wrapped in
hands acting like they’re wrapped in bandages man I am as weak as I make
bandages man I am as weak as I make
bandages man I am as weak as I make myself I cannot say I live in a
myself I cannot say I live in a
myself I cannot say I live in a nightmare with the ability to wake
nightmare with the ability to wake
nightmare with the ability to wake myself I cannot remain a victim if I
myself I cannot remain a victim if I
myself I cannot remain a victim if I want to change a system yes Icarus
want to change a system yes Icarus
want to change a system yes Icarus looked ridiculous but at least he had
looked ridiculous but at least he had
looked ridiculous but at least he had some visions so I’m spitting lyrics at
some visions so I’m spitting lyrics at
some visions so I’m spitting lyrics at this hypocrite caught and contradiction
this hypocrite caught and contradiction
this hypocrite caught and contradiction because I want to touch the Sun but I’m
because I want to touch the Sun but I’m
because I want to touch the Sun but I’m afraid of the solar system so let this
afraid of the solar system so let this
afraid of the solar system so let this image be the catalyst that strangles my
image be the catalyst that strangles my
image be the catalyst that strangles my selfishness instead of just some paper
selfishness instead of just some paper
selfishness instead of just some paper that I wrap around my fish and chips man
that I wrap around my fish and chips man
that I wrap around my fish and chips man I want this revolution but instead of
I want this revolution but instead of
I want this revolution but instead of persecuting politicians I must purge my
persecuting politicians I must purge my
persecuting politicians I must purge my personal pollution
personal pollution
personal pollution but ever it’s only one solution of which
but ever it’s only one solution of which
but ever it’s only one solution of which we are all accountable did we give
we are all accountable did we give
we are all accountable did we give without receiving and love in a way that
without receiving and love in a way that
without receiving and love in a way that was tangible refugee to the tyrant
was tangible refugee to the tyrant
was tangible refugee to the tyrant migrant to the citizen we are all
migrant to the citizen we are all
migrant to the citizen we are all children of God blessed with innocence
children of God blessed with innocence
children of God blessed with innocence so stop saying that you’re useless I
so stop saying that you’re useless I
so stop saying that you’re useless I know you cannot kill an army but as a
know you cannot kill an army but as a
know you cannot kill an army but as a man in the mirror that you can start
man in the mirror that you can start
man in the mirror that you can start this arm and you cannot love your
this arm and you cannot love your
this arm and you cannot love your neighbor unless you love yourself
neighbor unless you love yourself
neighbor unless you love yourself so let’s stop talking about changing
so let’s stop talking about changing
so let’s stop talking about changing Nations – we can hug our souls I write
Nations – we can hug our souls I write
Nations – we can hug our souls I write about a hard man because I’m trying to
about a hard man because I’m trying to
about a hard man because I’m trying to understand what we’re here for
understand what we’re here for
understand what we’re here for and I’ve shed a couple tears over the
and I’ve shed a couple tears over the
and I’ve shed a couple tears over the last 20-something years for this world
last 20-something years for this world
last 20-something years for this world lost in heartbreak and sin I can feel
lost in heartbreak and sin I can feel
lost in heartbreak and sin I can feel the tides are turning and as a
the tides are turning and as a
the tides are turning and as a generation stirring rising up so that
generation stirring rising up so that
generation stirring rising up so that darkness won’t win they know their hands
darkness won’t win they know their hands
darkness won’t win they know their hands are made for healing and their souls
are made for healing and their souls
are made for healing and their souls have started dreaming to see the outcast
have started dreaming to see the outcast
have started dreaming to see the outcast and stranger come in and so as these
and stranger come in and so as these
and stranger come in and so as these days grow darker man don’t let your
days grow darker man don’t let your
days grow darker man don’t let your heart grow harder because we must start
heart grow harder because we must start
heart grow harder because we must start with the world that’s within thank you
with the world that’s within thank you
with the world that’s within thank you very much
very much
very much [Applause]
”
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