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The Power of Bearing Witness through Photography | Maranie Staab | TEDxPittsburghWomen


so today we live in a world that seems

so today we live in a world that seems increasingly focused on division on

increasingly focused on division on

increasingly focused on division on drawing lines on building walls and what

drawing lines on building walls and what

drawing lines on building walls and what makes us different from one another and

makes us different from one another and

makes us different from one another and tonight I’d like to talk to you about

tonight I’d like to talk to you about

tonight I’d like to talk to you about using photography as a means of

using photography as a means of

using photography as a means of connecting us as a way of furthering

connecting us as a way of furthering

connecting us as a way of furthering understanding outside of worlds of our

understanding outside of worlds of our

understanding outside of worlds of our own at their best images transcend race

own at their best images transcend race

own at their best images transcend race religion gender social and political

religion gender social and political

religion gender social and political status sexual orientation they can help

status sexual orientation they can help

status sexual orientation they can help us to connect to people other than

us to connect to people other than

us to connect to people other than ourselves I’ve always viewed photography

ourselves I’ve always viewed photography

ourselves I’ve always viewed photography as a means to an end my camera is a tool

as a means to an end my camera is a tool

as a means to an end my camera is a tool to be used wisely though I’m based here

to be used wisely though I’m based here

to be used wisely though I’m based here in Pittsburgh I’ve had the privilege of

in Pittsburgh I’ve had the privilege of

in Pittsburgh I’ve had the privilege of traveling throughout much of the Middle

traveling throughout much of the Middle

traveling throughout much of the Middle East and parts of Africa over the course

East and parts of Africa over the course

East and parts of Africa over the course of the past several years in doing so

of the past several years in doing so

of the past several years in doing so I’ve learned firsthand the importance of

I’ve learned firsthand the importance of

I’ve learned firsthand the importance of bearing witness by now most of us have

bearing witness by now most of us have

bearing witness by now most of us have heard about the refugee crisis what is

heard about the refugee crisis what is

heard about the refugee crisis what is now being called the world’s largest

now being called the world’s largest

now being called the world’s largest humanitarian disaster earlier this year

humanitarian disaster earlier this year

humanitarian disaster earlier this year the UNHCR came out with a statistic but

the UNHCR came out with a statistic but

the UNHCR came out with a statistic but 65 million people are currently

65 million people are currently

65 million people are currently displaced worldwide now 65 million it’s

displaced worldwide now 65 million it’s

displaced worldwide now 65 million it’s an it’s an incredible number but huge

an it’s an incredible number but huge

an it’s an incredible number but huge numbers and statistics are a bit

numbers and statistics are a bit

numbers and statistics are a bit mind-numbing aren’t they what does that

mind-numbing aren’t they what does that

mind-numbing aren’t they what does that even mean what does it look like when

even mean what does it look like when

even mean what does it look like when someone is forced from home what does

someone is forced from home what does

someone is forced from home what does displacement mean what does it look like

displacement mean what does it look like

displacement mean what does it look like when a human being is forced to make a

when a human being is forced to make a

when a human being is forced to make a decision between an impossible existence

decision between an impossible existence

decision between an impossible existence and a very uncertain future in northern

and a very uncertain future in northern

and a very uncertain future in northern Jordan on the border with Syria it looks

Jordan on the border with Syria it looks

Jordan on the border with Syria it looks like about a hundred thousand people

like about a hundred thousand people

like about a hundred thousand people forced to live with in tents and three

forced to live with in tents and three

forced to live with in tents and three square miles

square miles

square miles it looks like Omar aged five and zeyneb

it looks like Omar aged five and zeyneb

it looks like Omar aged five and zeyneb aged four it looks like Al tomorrow age

aged four it looks like Al tomorrow age

aged four it looks like Al tomorrow age twelve from Homs and a mall age eight

twelve from Homs and a mall age eight

twelve from Homs and a mall age eight from Damascus

this is Ali he’s seven also from Homs

this is Ali he’s seven also from Homs and this is Naja h7

and this is Khalid and his three

and this is Khalid and his three daughters so I met all of these folks

daughters so I met all of these folks

daughters so I met all of these folks and many others while working on the

and many others while working on the

and many others while working on the Zaatari refugee camp last summer most of

Zaatari refugee camp last summer most of

Zaatari refugee camp last summer most of them are still there their futures

them are still there their futures

them are still there their futures remain a question mark now in Lebanon a

remain a question mark now in Lebanon a

remain a question mark now in Lebanon a country that holds the distinction of

country that holds the distinction of

country that holds the distinction of hosting the most refugees per capital of

hosting the most refugees per capital of

hosting the most refugees per capital of any other country in the world

any other country in the world

any other country in the world displacement looks a lot like families

displacement looks a lot like families

displacement looks a lot like families trying to find refuges refuge and

trying to find refuges refuge and

trying to find refuges refuge and dilapidated or abandoned buildings like

dilapidated or abandoned buildings like

dilapidated or abandoned buildings like this one this is an old cafe

this one this is an old cafe

this one this is an old cafe I met 17 people that we’re living in

I met 17 people that we’re living in

I met 17 people that we’re living in here at the time they’ve been there for

here at the time they’ve been there for

here at the time they’ve been there for two years when I had met them and they

two years when I had met them and they

two years when I had met them and they had all fled the conflict in Syria or

had all fled the conflict in Syria or

had all fled the conflict in Syria or people are finding safe spaces and

people are finding safe spaces and

people are finding safe spaces and refugee refugee ghettos with what they

refugee refugee ghettos with what they

refugee refugee ghettos with what they are calling them like this one this is

are calling them like this one this is

are calling them like this one this is odd none none I I interviewed him and

odd none none I I interviewed him and

odd none none I I interviewed him and when I asked him what his hopes were for

when I asked him what his hopes were for

when I asked him what his hopes were for the future he paused for a moment and

the future he paused for a moment and

the future he paused for a moment and then he told me that he hoped for a warm

then he told me that he hoped for a warm

then he told me that he hoped for a warm bath and to return to school some day in

bath and to return to school some day in

bath and to return to school some day in that order

that order

that order in Iraq earlier this year is a battle

in Iraq earlier this year is a battle

in Iraq earlier this year is a battle for Mosul took place displacement looked

for Mosul took place displacement looked

for Mosul took place displacement looked like tens of thousands of people picking

like tens of thousands of people picking

like tens of thousands of people picking up their most precious belongings and

up their most precious belongings and

up their most precious belongings and walking the many miles to relative

walking the many miles to relative

walking the many miles to relative safety or getting into whatever forms of

safety or getting into whatever forms of

safety or getting into whatever forms of transportation they could find heading

transportation they could find heading

transportation they could find heading for anywhere from where but where they

for anywhere from where but where they

for anywhere from where but where they called home

across the region and across much of the

across the region and across much of the world refugees or IDPs internally

world refugees or IDPs internally

world refugees or IDPs internally displaced persons often end up inside of

displaced persons often end up inside of

displaced persons often end up inside of camp camps like this one the Hassan Shan

camp camps like this one the Hassan Shan

camp camps like this one the Hassan Shan camp in northern Iraq or Kurdistan was

camp in northern Iraq or Kurdistan was

camp in northern Iraq or Kurdistan was in this camp that I met many women who

in this camp that I met many women who

in this camp that I met many women who would wait in lines for many hours each

would wait in lines for many hours each

would wait in lines for many hours each day

day

day looking for food and/or medical care for

looking for food and/or medical care for

looking for food and/or medical care for themselves or for their kids it’s also

themselves or for their kids it’s also

themselves or for their kids it’s also where I met Ali so what was happening in

where I met Ali so what was happening in

where I met Ali so what was happening in Mosul when sally was one of many

Mosul when sally was one of many

Mosul when sally was one of many children and wanting one of many people

children and wanting one of many people

children and wanting one of many people being held in Isis controlled

being held in Isis controlled

being held in Isis controlled neighborhoods these areas were cut off

neighborhoods these areas were cut off

neighborhoods these areas were cut off from food and water access to medicine

from food and water access to medicine

from food and water access to medicine pretty much everything so he was

pretty much everything so he was

pretty much everything so he was extremely malnourished and we found out

extremely malnourished and we found out

extremely malnourished and we found out that he had been living on rice water

that he had been living on rice water

that he had been living on rice water for the past four months it’s also where

for the past four months it’s also where

for the past four months it’s also where I met

I met

I met well foie and her son Suleiman and I can

well foie and her son Suleiman and I can

well foie and her son Suleiman and I can still hear her voice I can still hear

still hear her voice I can still hear

still hear her voice I can still hear the pain and his mother’s voices she

the pain and his mother’s voices she

the pain and his mother’s voices she told me about not being able to provide

told me about not being able to provide

told me about not being able to provide for her child

so this camp is also where I met Eunice

so this camp is also where I met Eunice and Eunice is like so many other

and Eunice is like so many other

and Eunice is like so many other school-aged men and women around the

school-aged men and women around the

school-aged men and women around the world who have been displaced from

world who have been displaced from

world who have been displaced from conflict who had to drop their studies

conflict who had to drop their studies

conflict who had to drop their studies at the time prior to conflicts coming to

at the time prior to conflicts coming to

at the time prior to conflicts coming to Mosul he was in school studying medicine

Mosul he was in school studying medicine

Mosul he was in school studying medicine Eunice lost both of his legs when he was

Eunice lost both of his legs when he was

Eunice lost both of his legs when he was used as a human shield by – or Isis yet

used as a human shield by – or Isis yet

used as a human shield by – or Isis yet in spite of these incredible

in spite of these incredible

in spite of these incredible circumstances in all of these places

circumstances in all of these places

circumstances in all of these places every single day I was struck by the

every single day I was struck by the

every single day I was struck by the resiliency and the perseverance of

resiliency and the perseverance of

resiliency and the perseverance of pretty much every one of the kids is

pretty much every one of the kids is

pretty much every one of the kids is ability to smile and really just the

ability to smile and really just the

ability to smile and really just the heroic nature of humanity in all of

heroic nature of humanity in all of

heroic nature of humanity in all of these places

so when I was working in Mosul I was

so when I was working in Mosul I was with a medical team so I’d sleep at

with a medical team so I’d sleep at

with a medical team so I’d sleep at their trauma stabilization point or TSP

their trauma stabilization point or TSP

their trauma stabilization point or TSP and then I’d photograph their work I’d

and then I’d photograph their work I’d

and then I’d photograph their work I’d gone there with the hope that I might be

gone there with the hope that I might be

gone there with the hope that I might be able to add to the narrative to go

able to add to the narrative to go

able to add to the narrative to go beyond what we are hearing about in the

beyond what we are hearing about in the

beyond what we are hearing about in the headlines when we were hearing about

headlines when we were hearing about

headlines when we were hearing about anything during the nights we are often

anything during the nights we are often

anything during the nights we are often awakened by airstrikes so when I say air

awakened by airstrikes so when I say air

awakened by airstrikes so when I say air strike or shelling or bombing or when

strike or shelling or bombing or when

strike or shelling or bombing or when you hear these words in the news what do

you hear these words in the news what do

you hear these words in the news what do you think of is there an image that

you think of is there an image that

you think of is there an image that comes to mind if you’re like most of us

comes to mind if you’re like most of us

comes to mind if you’re like most of us and even myself prior to this experience

and even myself prior to this experience

and even myself prior to this experience you’re not often asked to consider the

you’re not often asked to consider the

you’re not often asked to consider the human face of war war looks like a lot

human face of war war looks like a lot

human face of war war looks like a lot of things but on June 12th

of things but on June 12th

of things but on June 12th it looks like Lena Lena’s four years old

it looks like Lena Lena’s four years old

it looks like Lena Lena’s four years old and from West Mosul and this is this

and from West Mosul and this is this

and from West Mosul and this is this occurred after an airstrike it also

occurred after an airstrike it also

occurred after an airstrike it also looks like amar aged 8 now both of these

looks like amar aged 8 now both of these

looks like amar aged 8 now both of these children did survive thankfully but this

children did survive thankfully but this

children did survive thankfully but this mother’s son did not so these are some

mother’s son did not so these are some

mother’s son did not so these are some of the faces of war that we rarely see

on May 31st of this year there was an

on May 31st of this year there was an airstrike and about 20 minutes later I

airstrike and about 20 minutes later I

airstrike and about 20 minutes later I met zeyneb she’s a seven year old girl

met zeyneb she’s a seven year old girl

met zeyneb she’s a seven year old girl from the Xin Julie neighborhood of West

from the Xin Julie neighborhood of West

from the Xin Julie neighborhood of West Mosul she arrived to the tsp or the

Mosul she arrived to the tsp or the

Mosul she arrived to the tsp or the trauma stabilization point and she was

trauma stabilization point and she was

trauma stabilization point and she was alive and for the next hour with her

alive and for the next hour with her

alive and for the next hour with her father’s permission I photographed as

father’s permission I photographed as

father’s permission I photographed as doc medics and then doctors did their

doc medics and then doctors did their

doc medics and then doctors did their best to save her life

mrs. Hassan Zainab’s father moments

mrs. Hassan Zainab’s father moments after finding out that his little girl

after finding out that his little girl

after finding out that his little girl did not make it so these images are

did not make it so these images are

did not make it so these images are rough and I’m aware of that honestly I

rough and I’m aware of that honestly I

rough and I’m aware of that honestly I debated a lot of whether or not to even

debated a lot of whether or not to even

debated a lot of whether or not to even share them with you tonight but then I

share them with you tonight but then I

share them with you tonight but then I think back to those nights when this

think back to those nights when this

think back to those nights when this happened in this day I mean this was

happened in this day I mean this was

happened in this day I mean this was actually the first time that I there’s a

actually the first time that I there’s a

actually the first time that I there’s a difference between seeing a dead person

difference between seeing a dead person

difference between seeing a dead person and watching someone die and I just

and watching someone die and I just

and watching someone die and I just remember how I felt that night and how I

remember how I felt that night and how I

remember how I felt that night and how I wanted to scream from the rooftops about

wanted to scream from the rooftops about

wanted to scream from the rooftops about these children about innocence lost I

these children about innocence lost I

these children about innocence lost I knew that at best they would become

knew that at best they would become

knew that at best they would become statistics but I also knew that it in a

statistics but I also knew that it in a

statistics but I also knew that it in a conflict like Mosul record-keeping was

conflict like Mosul record-keeping was

conflict like Mosul record-keeping was so poor that it was very unlikely that

so poor that it was very unlikely that

so poor that it was very unlikely that they’d even become that so why show

they’d even become that so why show

they’d even become that so why show these photographs as battlefields become

these photographs as battlefields become

these photographs as battlefields become more remote and as technology has made

more remote and as technology has made

more remote and as technology has made war but an abstract notion to so many of

war but an abstract notion to so many of

war but an abstract notion to so many of us it’s the responsibility of

us it’s the responsibility of

us it’s the responsibility of photographers journalists humanitarian

photographers journalists humanitarian

photographers journalists humanitarian aid workers to be a witness to these

aid workers to be a witness to these

aid workers to be a witness to these things and to then to share them with

things and to then to share them with

things and to then to share them with others so what I’ll say is that the

others so what I’ll say is that the

others so what I’ll say is that the universal language of photography tended

universal language of photography tended

universal language of photography tended to render the concept of war less alien

to render the concept of war less alien

to render the concept of war less alien less abstract it makes what’s happening

less abstract it makes what’s happening

less abstract it makes what’s happening on the ground

on the ground

on the ground real to everyone else some people become

real to everyone else some people become

real to everyone else some people become offended even upset when I’ve shared

offended even upset when I’ve shared

offended even upset when I’ve shared these images with them and I’ve

these images with them and I’ve

these images with them and I’ve considered that and then I asked myself

considered that and then I asked myself

considered that and then I asked myself how can we refuse to acknowledge a mere

how can we refuse to acknowledge a mere

how can we refuse to acknowledge a mere representation of a horrific act when

representation of a horrific act when

representation of a horrific act when others are forced to live through it if

others are forced to live through it if

others are forced to live through it if we’re big enough to fight a war we

we’re big enough to fight a war we

we’re big enough to fight a war we should be big enough to look at it

should be big enough to look at it

should be big enough to look at it that’s just my opinion but so

that’s just my opinion but so

that’s just my opinion but so photographs can act as a bridge they can

photographs can act as a bridge they can

photographs can act as a bridge they can transport us into the lives of people in

transport us into the lives of people in

transport us into the lives of people in far in faraway lands but images and

far in faraway lands but images and

far in faraway lands but images and words can and should also be used as a

words can and should also be used as a

words can and should also be used as a way to better understand those living in

way to better understand those living in

way to better understand those living in our backyards in this case Pittsburgh or

our backyards in this case Pittsburgh or

our backyards in this case Pittsburgh or East Liberty I’ve never had to travel

East Liberty I’ve never had to travel

East Liberty I’ve never had to travel very far to witness suffering or even

very far to witness suffering or even

very far to witness suffering or even displacement

subject matter of displacement has been

subject matter of displacement has been a controversial issue here in East

a controversial issue here in East

a controversial issue here in East Liberty for a very long time perhaps

Liberty for a very long time perhaps

Liberty for a very long time perhaps most notably in the ultimate demolition

most notably in the ultimate demolition

most notably in the ultimate demolition of the Penn Plaza apartment buildings

of the Penn Plaza apartment buildings

of the Penn Plaza apartment buildings earlier this year when I went there

earlier this year when I went there

earlier this year when I went there earlier this year I met a man by the

earlier this year I met a man by the

earlier this year I met a man by the name of Gary rivers URI is a Vietnam

name of Gary rivers URI is a Vietnam

name of Gary rivers URI is a Vietnam veteran and someone who dreamed of a new

veteran and someone who dreamed of a new

veteran and someone who dreamed of a new wardrobe a nice dinner at Red Lobster

wardrobe a nice dinner at Red Lobster

wardrobe a nice dinner at Red Lobster and who told me something I’ll never

and who told me something I’ll never

and who told me something I’ll never forget he said I’m an HB I’m not black

forget he said I’m an HB I’m not black

forget he said I’m an HB I’m not black I’m not white I’m not Orange I’m not

I’m not white I’m not Orange I’m not

I’m not white I’m not Orange I’m not blue I’m an HB a human being and that

blue I’m an HB a human being and that

blue I’m an HB a human being and that really stuck with me for a lot of

really stuck with me for a lot of

really stuck with me for a lot of reasons first I loved Gary because he

reasons first I loved Gary because he

reasons first I loved Gary because he helped to put a human face on what was

helped to put a human face on what was

helped to put a human face on what was happening in the Penn clouds and

happening in the Penn clouds and

happening in the Penn clouds and apartment buildings and I’d also loved

apartment buildings and I’d also loved

apartment buildings and I’d also loved that quote because it really got to the

that quote because it really got to the

that quote because it really got to the core of what I think is lacking and so

core of what I think is lacking and so

core of what I think is lacking and so much of today’s society our shared and

much of today’s society our shared and

much of today’s society our shared and very much common humanity no matter race

very much common humanity no matter race

very much common humanity no matter race religion or where we call home every

religion or where we call home every

religion or where we call home every winter on the longest night of the year

winter on the longest night of the year

winter on the longest night of the year in the most livable city in this nation

in the most livable city in this nation

in the most livable city in this nation there is a memorial and to honor the men

there is a memorial and to honor the men

there is a memorial and to honor the men and women that have died living on our

and women that have died living on our

and women that have died living on our streets here in Pittsburgh

they are men like Tiger someone who I

they are men like Tiger someone who I met while volunteering at a shelter

met while volunteering at a shelter

met while volunteering at a shelter downtown about five years ago his name

downtown about five years ago his name

downtown about five years ago his name is one of about a hundred and fifty on

is one of about a hundred and fifty on

is one of about a hundred and fifty on plaques underneath the Fort Duquesne

plaques underneath the Fort Duquesne

plaques underneath the Fort Duquesne bridge downtown working with operation

bridge downtown working with operation

bridge downtown working with operation safety net phenomenal organization here

safety net phenomenal organization here

safety net phenomenal organization here in town that provides medical care to

in town that provides medical care to

in town that provides medical care to our homeless men and women I’ve gotten

our homeless men and women I’ve gotten

our homeless men and women I’ve gotten to know many of these individuals people

to know many of these individuals people

to know many of these individuals people like John who’s also a Vietnam veteran a

like John who’s also a Vietnam veteran a

like John who’s also a Vietnam veteran a huge Pirates fan and men like Sam who

huge Pirates fan and men like Sam who

huge Pirates fan and men like Sam who told me about better days as he got a

told me about better days as he got a

told me about better days as he got a free haircut on the north side and women

free haircut on the north side and women

free haircut on the north side and women like Murray who after a series of

like Murray who after a series of

like Murray who after a series of unfortunate events found herself living

unfortunate events found herself living

unfortunate events found herself living on the streets now these men and women

on the streets now these men and women

on the streets now these men and women are living in circumstances like this

are living in circumstances like this

are living in circumstances like this here in Pittsburgh

so these folks if I be honest or some of

so these folks if I be honest or some of the best people I’ve ever met and most

the best people I’ve ever met and most

the best people I’ve ever met and most of their stories defy any stereotype or

of their stories defy any stereotype or

of their stories defy any stereotype or any label that they’ve been branded with

any label that they’ve been branded with

any label that they’ve been branded with the other thing is they’re also our

the other thing is they’re also our

the other thing is they’re also our neighbors and I’m going to continue to

neighbors and I’m going to continue to

neighbors and I’m going to continue to photograph them with the aspiration that

photograph them with the aspiration that

photograph them with the aspiration that I’m somehow able to do justice to their

I’m somehow able to do justice to their

I’m somehow able to do justice to their humanity and in the hope that all of us

humanity and in the hope that all of us

humanity and in the hope that all of us here and everyone out there acknowledges

here and everyone out there acknowledges

here and everyone out there acknowledges them as our fellow human beings just

them as our fellow human beings just

them as our fellow human beings just like zeyneb and Ali and Omar and Geary

like zeyneb and Ali and Omar and Geary

like zeyneb and Ali and Omar and Geary now earlier this summer I had an

now earlier this summer I had an

now earlier this summer I had an exhibition downtown vandalized the faces

exhibition downtown vandalized the faces

exhibition downtown vandalized the faces of Syrian children had X’s put through

of Syrian children had X’s put through

of Syrian children had X’s put through their face with with spray paint now my

their face with with spray paint now my

their face with with spray paint now my reaction was not a banger and

reaction was not a banger and

reaction was not a banger and unfortunately it wasn’t even surprised

unfortunately it wasn’t even surprised

unfortunately it wasn’t even surprised it was profound disappointment and

it was profound disappointment and

it was profound disappointment and followed by conviction if there was ever

followed by conviction if there was ever

followed by conviction if there was ever a time that we all needed to be bold and

a time that we all needed to be bold and

a time that we all needed to be bold and stand up in the face of hate and

stand up in the face of hate and

stand up in the face of hate and tolerance and closed minds it is now

tolerance and closed minds it is now

tolerance and closed minds it is now it’s been said that images can change

it’s been said that images can change

it’s been said that images can change the world and I believe that but it’s

the world and I believe that but it’s

the world and I believe that but it’s not images alone nor is it ever so black

not images alone nor is it ever so black

not images alone nor is it ever so black and white it’s really what we do with

and white it’s really what we do with

and white it’s really what we do with them it’s how we as viewers choose to

them it’s how we as viewers choose to

them it’s how we as viewers choose to engage in them engage with them it’s how

engage in them engage with them it’s how

engage in them engage with them it’s how we allow ourselves to be informed and

we allow ourselves to be informed and

we allow ourselves to be informed and changed may be moved to action there’s

changed may be moved to action there’s

changed may be moved to action there’s truth in the notion that the more aware

truth in the notion that the more aware

truth in the notion that the more aware would be be more aware we become the

would be be more aware we become the

would be be more aware we become the more responsible we would become but my

more responsible we would become but my

more responsible we would become but my ask of you tonight is simple view these

ask of you tonight is simple view these

ask of you tonight is simple view these and other images with empathy and a

and other images with empathy and a

and other images with empathy and a desire to learn from the experiences of

desire to learn from the experiences of

desire to learn from the experiences of people whose lives are so different and

people whose lives are so different and

people whose lives are so different and yet so similar to our own people have

yet so similar to our own people have

yet so similar to our own people have asked me to do why I do what I do and

asked me to do why I do what I do and

asked me to do why I do what I do and the truth is it’s a privilege and so

the truth is it’s a privilege and so

the truth is it’s a privilege and so privilege to be led into people’s lives

privilege to be led into people’s lives

privilege to be led into people’s lives it’s a privilege to hear people’s

it’s a privilege to hear people’s

it’s a privilege to hear people’s stories and it’s a privilege to see

stories and it’s a privilege to see

stories and it’s a privilege to see parts of the world that so many may

parts of the world that so many may

parts of the world that so many may never see

never see

never see but at the same time it’s also a

but at the same time it’s also a

but at the same time it’s also a responsibility to then share those

responsibility to then share those

responsibility to then share those stories with others with you here

stories with others with you here

stories with others with you here tonight I’m humbled by this work I’ve

tonight I’m humbled by this work I’ve

tonight I’m humbled by this work I’ve gained more from these experiences than

gained more from these experiences than

gained more from these experiences than any book that I’ve ever read and from

any book that I’ve ever read and from

any book that I’ve ever read and from any experience I’ve ever had here in the

any experience I’ve ever had here in the

any experience I’ve ever had here in the comfort of my home of Pittsburgh by

comfort of my home of Pittsburgh by

comfort of my home of Pittsburgh by sharing these people’s faces their names

sharing these people’s faces their names

sharing these people’s faces their names their stories and their experiences my

their stories and their experiences my

their stories and their experiences my hope is that you are also able to gain

hope is that you are also able to gain

hope is that you are also able to gain from my promise to you

from my promise to you

from my promise to you is that I will absolutely never tell you

is that I will absolutely never tell you

is that I will absolutely never tell you what to think but at the same time I’m

what to think but at the same time I’m

what to think but at the same time I’m never going to hesitate to suggest what

never going to hesitate to suggest what

never going to hesitate to suggest what you think about

[Music]

[Music] you

”

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