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Building walls on sacred ground | Todd Broadman Broadman | TEDxUIdaho


recently I’ve been thinking a lot about

recently I’ve been thinking a lot about walls walls maybe that’s because of all

walls walls maybe that’s because of all

walls walls maybe that’s because of all the recent political swaggering

the recent political swaggering

the recent political swaggering associated with the presidential

associated with the presidential

associated with the presidential election

election

election I don’t but some people didn’t genuinely

I don’t but some people didn’t genuinely

I don’t but some people didn’t genuinely feel that laws protects it maybe they do

feel that laws protects it maybe they do

feel that laws protects it maybe they do but show me a 30-foot wall and I’ll show

but show me a 30-foot wall and I’ll show

but show me a 30-foot wall and I’ll show you a 31 foot ladder now the reason why

you a 31 foot ladder now the reason why

you a 31 foot ladder now the reason why I’m so interested in walls has to do

I’m so interested in walls has to do

I’m so interested in walls has to do with my attraction for the secret

with my attraction for the secret

with my attraction for the secret you see these walls that we build inside

you see these walls that we build inside

you see these walls that we build inside of us tend to separate us from the

of us tend to separate us from the

of us tend to separate us from the sacrum sometimes we cower behind these

sacrum sometimes we cower behind these

sacrum sometimes we cower behind these walls and other times we position a

walls and other times we position a

walls and other times we position a catapult next to them in there but big

catapult next to them in there but big

catapult next to them in there but big putting big rocks and over the walls

putting big rocks and over the walls

putting big rocks and over the walls pound our chest proudly these inner

pound our chest proudly these inner

pound our chest proudly these inner walls are far more confining than any

walls are far more confining than any

walls are far more confining than any physical wall now if these inner walls

physical wall now if these inner walls

physical wall now if these inner walls actually act to separated from the

actually act to separated from the

actually act to separated from the sacred what’s the sacred for me the

sacred what’s the sacred for me the

sacred what’s the sacred for me the sacred is a reality suspending wonder

sacred is a reality suspending wonder

sacred is a reality suspending wonder and mystery and rivers

what did the Buddhist long say in the

what did the Buddhist long say in the street vendor when asked what he wanted

street vendor when asked what he wanted

street vendor when asked what he wanted on his baked potato make me one with

on his baked potato make me one with

on his baked potato make me one with everything

what I what I believe is that our

what I what I believe is that our inability to see the sacred in the world

inability to see the sacred in the world

inability to see the sacred in the world and to act on that sacredness is

and to act on that sacredness is

and to act on that sacredness is entirely due to these come family walls

entirely due to these come family walls

entirely due to these come family walls confounded because as we consciously or

confounded because as we consciously or

confounded because as we consciously or unconsciously go about constructing them

unconsciously go about constructing them

unconsciously go about constructing them they actually work against what we’re

they actually work against what we’re

they actually work against what we’re really empty

really empty

really empty what’s a togetherness a sense of kinship

what’s a togetherness a sense of kinship

what’s a togetherness a sense of kinship connectivity with one another and nature

hope they tell you what Tulsa to hate a

hope they tell you what Tulsa to hate a wall story true story some point years

wall story true story some point years

wall story true story some point years ago my wife and I went to Jerusalem to

ago my wife and I went to Jerusalem to

ago my wife and I went to Jerusalem to visit the Western world and those of you

visit the Western world and those of you

visit the Western world and those of you who have been there know the tea there’s

who have been there know the tea there’s

who have been there know the tea there’s a men’s section and a woman section well

a men’s section and a woman section well

a men’s section and a woman section well as I entered I cute back at my wife

as I entered I cute back at my wife

as I entered I cute back at my wife who’s Chinese and that’s important to

who’s Chinese and that’s important to

who’s Chinese and that’s important to this story and I waited to her and then

this story and I waited to her and then

this story and I waited to her and then after I entered it was a hot seat into

after I entered it was a hot seat into

after I entered it was a hot seat into commotion today he asked my secure his

commotion today he asked my secure his

commotion today he asked my secure his questions he said are you Jewish

questions he said are you Jewish

questions he said are you Jewish I said yeah he said she by the Jewish

I said yeah he said she by the Jewish

I said yeah he said she by the Jewish said yeah but you got straining do you

said yeah but you got straining do you

said yeah but you got straining do you like dolphins okay with us well and he

like dolphins okay with us well and he

like dolphins okay with us well and he said you know dolphins and elephants are

said you know dolphins and elephants are

said you know dolphins and elephants are endangered right do you like Jews so I

endangered right do you like Jews so I

endangered right do you like Jews so I think I got the point

think I got the point

think I got the point I was doing my bit today

now in a backhanded way he was doing me

now in a backhanded way he was doing me a favor because he was pointing out the

a favor because he was pointing out the

a favor because he was pointing out the contrasting contradiction between two

contrasting contradiction between two

contrasting contradiction between two different walls you see in front of me

different walls you see in front of me

different walls you see in front of me is facing the western wall built by

is facing the western wall built by

is facing the western wall built by Herod in 20 BC but there was an inner

Herod in 20 BC but there was an inner

Herod in 20 BC but there was an inner wall he was referring to and pretend

wall he was referring to and pretend

wall he was referring to and pretend that meant something about exclusivity

that meant something about exclusivity

that meant something about exclusivity and purity something along those lines

and purity something along those lines

and purity something along those lines now sometimes I imagine had I gone to

now sometimes I imagine had I gone to

now sometimes I imagine had I gone to China with my wife and the roles were

China with my wife and the roles were

China with my wife and the roles were reversed we were entering the Great Wall

reversed we were entering the Great Wall

reversed we were entering the Great Wall of China and a communist party member

of China and a communist party member

of China and a communist party member were devotion to my wife to come over as

were devotion to my wife to come over as

were devotion to my wife to come over as she peered back and waved at me and she

she peered back and waved at me and she

she peered back and waved at me and she she might have been asked who is that

she might have been asked who is that

she might have been asked who is that well that’s my husband well do you like

well that’s my husband well do you like

well that’s my husband well do you like panda bears

you see I believe as Einstein did that

you see I believe as Einstein did that was a penny time partner he said that

was a penny time partner he said that

was a penny time partner he said that the wall of nationalism is deep in tile

the wall of nationalism is deep in tile

the wall of nationalism is deep in tile disease he said it’s the measles of

disease he said it’s the measles of

disease he said it’s the measles of mankind and I would apply that to anyone

mankind and I would apply that to anyone

mankind and I would apply that to anyone the race creed gender political

the race creed gender political

the race creed gender political persuasion when you didn’t have any of

persuasion when you didn’t have any of

persuasion when you didn’t have any of these designations American Christian

these designations American Christian

these designations American Christian Jewish Russian Chinese Muslim his heart

Jewish Russian Chinese Muslim his heart

Jewish Russian Chinese Muslim his heart isn’t remember the Joni Mitchell mirror

isn’t remember the Joni Mitchell mirror

isn’t remember the Joni Mitchell mirror the song would suck

the song would suck

the song would suck we have to start us we are golden we

we have to start us we are golden we

we have to start us we are golden we have a billion year old carbon right and

have a billion year old carbon right and

have a billion year old carbon right and we just have to get back to the to the

we just have to get back to the to the

we just have to get back to the to the garden to the garden that is our sacred

garden to the garden that is our sacred

garden to the garden that is our sacred space the gardener you know I once had a

space the gardener you know I once had a

space the gardener you know I once had a friend who lived in that sacred space

friend who lived in that sacred space

friend who lived in that sacred space his name is Hugh Hugh was homeless by

his name is Hugh Hugh was homeless by

his name is Hugh Hugh was homeless by choice he lived on the streets in

choice he lived on the streets in

choice he lived on the streets in Atlanta back in time I was a student at

Atlanta back in time I was a student at

Atlanta back in time I was a student at Georgia State University and I would

Georgia State University and I would

Georgia State University and I would join the afternoon crowds to go out and

join the afternoon crowds to go out and

join the afternoon crowds to go out and listen to you speak in the park he would

listen to you speak in the park he would

listen to you speak in the park he would quote everything voltaire to the

quote everything voltaire to the

quote everything voltaire to the Sanskrit Scripture

Sanskrit Scripture

Sanskrit Scripture he was amazing I remember one of the

he was amazing I remember one of the

he was amazing I remember one of the verses he quoted for some about

verses he quoted for some about

verses he quoted for some about and it had to do with this wall like

and it had to do with this wall like

and it had to do with this wall like this summer that our lawn furniture job

this summer that our lawn furniture job

this summer that our lawn furniture job mom made comes in an unfree job a hump

mom made comes in an unfree job a hump

mom made comes in an unfree job a hump thumb serve about babe you look shiny

thumb serve about babe you look shiny

thumb serve about babe you look shiny shiny Washington I abandon all varieties

shiny Washington I abandon all varieties

shiny Washington I abandon all varieties of the wall and simply surrender unto me

of the wall and simply surrender unto me

of the wall and simply surrender unto me and I will free you from all sin you

and I will free you from all sin you

and I will free you from all sin you know pretty close but use path wasn’t

know pretty close but use path wasn’t

know pretty close but use path wasn’t like that I suppose it didn’t have the

like that I suppose it didn’t have the

like that I suppose it didn’t have the back to see from the cardboard box but

back to see from the cardboard box but

back to see from the cardboard box but his life lessons he showed me how the

his life lessons he showed me how the

his life lessons he showed me how the lofty world of the sacrum meets the

lofty world of the sacrum meets the

lofty world of the sacrum meets the comarca mahzarin banaji is a brain

comarca mahzarin banaji is a brain

comarca mahzarin banaji is a brain researcher at Harvard University she

researcher at Harvard University she

researcher at Harvard University she studies this wall of racism and she has

studies this wall of racism and she has

studies this wall of racism and she has shown that children who are exposed to

shown that children who are exposed to

shown that children who are exposed to racism embraces as young as the age of

racism embraces as young as the age of

racism embraces as young as the age of three she said that I call is really

three she said that I call is really

three she said that I call is really quite shocking like freedom for euros

quite shocking like freedom for euros

quite shocking like freedom for euros demonstrate the same level and type of

demonstrate the same level and type of

demonstrate the same level and type of bias as adults these children get it she

bias as adults these children get it she

bias as adults these children get it she says very very quickly now my personal

says very very quickly now my personal

says very very quickly now my personal path took me a graduate school

path took me a graduate school

path took me a graduate school an international business degree and I

an international business degree and I

an international business degree and I set sail for China and Hong Kong India

set sail for China and Hong Kong India

set sail for China and Hong Kong India and England but the corporate stripes of

and England but the corporate stripes of

and England but the corporate stripes of the speed didn’t suit and I recently

the speed didn’t suit and I recently

the speed didn’t suit and I recently back in small-town America Finisterre

back in small-town America Finisterre

back in small-town America Finisterre Moscow

Moscow

Moscow used to call it Moscow and was blessed

used to call it Moscow and was blessed

used to call it Moscow and was blessed to be an older parent by two children

to be an older parent by two children

to be an older parent by two children Jasmine at mica ages 6 and 9 provide me

Jasmine at mica ages 6 and 9 provide me

Jasmine at mica ages 6 and 9 provide me with the clearest mirror with which to

with the clearest mirror with which to

with the clearest mirror with which to see my home walls now you may be

see my home walls now you may be

see my home walls now you may be thinking what does a parent thing have

thinking what does a parent thing have

thinking what does a parent thing have to do with the same I mean let’s face it

to do with the same I mean let’s face it

to do with the same I mean let’s face it but you have one kid on the ground

but you have one kid on the ground

but you have one kid on the ground throwing a tantrum

throwing a tantrum

throwing a tantrum and the others in the living room

and the others in the living room

and the others in the living room practicing her alphabet with a permanent

practicing her alphabet with a permanent

practicing her alphabet with a permanent marker on the couch the piece of bread

marker on the couch the piece of bread

marker on the couch the piece of bread of the Sun so let me introduce you to my

of the Sun so let me introduce you to my

of the Sun so let me introduce you to my method to deal with it’s called sacred

method to deal with it’s called sacred

method to deal with it’s called sacred screaming as I see it the challenge is

screaming as I see it the challenge is

screaming as I see it the challenge is how do you remove the framework of

how do you remove the framework of

how do you remove the framework of judgment and ranky from chile and what I

judgment and ranky from chile and what I

judgment and ranky from chile and what I do is a rule of the house is I never use

do is a rule of the house is I never use

do is a rule of the house is I never use again work I never use it it’s nice nice

again work I never use it it’s nice nice

again work I never use it it’s nice nice that nice is a nice enough word but it

that nice is a nice enough word but it

that nice is a nice enough word but it really is a Trojan horse in terms of

really is a Trojan horse in terms of

really is a Trojan horse in terms of long live here’s a pass you act nice

long live here’s a pass you act nice

long live here’s a pass you act nice you’d be nervous

you’d be nervous

you’d be nervous you play nice nice

you play nice nice

you play nice nice then magically it morphs into the value

then magically it morphs into the value

then magically it morphs into the value of the gender you see Sarah’s nice but

of the gender you see Sarah’s nice but

of the gender you see Sarah’s nice but Sally is not very nice

Sally is not very nice

Sally is not very nice no Sally’s trying to get Sarah to music

no Sally’s trying to get Sarah to music

no Sally’s trying to get Sarah to music anymore those are nice clothes

anymore those are nice clothes

anymore those are nice clothes that’s a nice book sentiments of a nice

that’s a nice book sentiments of a nice

that’s a nice book sentiments of a nice house and we have nice neighbors Herbert

house and we have nice neighbors Herbert

house and we have nice neighbors Herbert that is not the 30 nice thing safe nice

that is not the 30 nice thing safe nice

that is not the 30 nice thing safe nice men in no time moves too good that’s the

men in no time moves too good that’s the

men in no time moves too good that’s the next step in the process right we have a

next step in the process right we have a

next step in the process right we have a brief that we also good to set the

brief that we also good to set the

brief that we also good to set the formula you get good grades to get into

formula you get good grades to get into

formula you get good grades to get into good well after good we can seal the

good well after good we can seal the

good well after good we can seal the deal with the next step of the ladder

deal with the next step of the ladder

deal with the next step of the ladder which is better right because I’m better

which is better right because I’m better

which is better right because I’m better than you

than you

than you okay person are better than her okay and

okay person are better than her okay and

okay person are better than her okay and collectively we are much better and they

collectively we are much better and they

collectively we are much better and they are those sinners out there is it see at

are those sinners out there is it see at

are those sinners out there is it see at this point the whole world was

this point the whole world was

this point the whole world was practically just baby to be judgment

practically just baby to be judgment

practically just baby to be judgment right is it little Herbert at this point

right is it little Herbert at this point

right is it little Herbert at this point has just graduated summa laude from

has just graduated summa laude from

has just graduated summa laude from the nice good events

Marshall Rosenberg his life’s worth the

Marshall Rosenberg his life’s worth the divers mansion but his life’s work was

divers mansion but his life’s work was

divers mansion but his life’s work was done in nonviolent communication some of

done in nonviolent communication some of

done in nonviolent communication some of you may be familiar with this one but he

you may be familiar with this one but he

you may be familiar with this one but he traveled the world with selling squats

traveled the world with selling squats

traveled the world with selling squats see this he says the more we use words

see this he says the more we use words

see this he says the more we use words that in any way imply criticism the more

that in any way imply criticism the more

that in any way imply criticism the more difficult it is to stay connected to the

difficult it is to stay connected to the

difficult it is to stay connected to the beauty with ourselves now if we consider

beauty with ourselves now if we consider

beauty with ourselves now if we consider that and also considered phonologies

that and also considered phonologies

that and also considered phonologies work about how early its indoctrination

work about how early its indoctrination

work about how early its indoctrination process action takes place is it amazing

process action takes place is it amazing

process action takes place is it amazing that we can eke out or see any beauty at

that we can eke out or see any beauty at

that we can eke out or see any beauty at all

let’s take a look at our social and his

let’s take a look at our social and his confirmation hearing Rex Tillerson made

confirmation hearing Rex Tillerson made

confirmation hearing Rex Tillerson made a comment made several comments that

a comment made several comments that

a comment made several comments that read like a Zen Sutra for woman he said

quite simply we are the only global

quite simply we are the only global superpower with the means of moral

superpower with the means of moral

superpower with the means of moral compass capable of shaping the world for

compass capable of shaping the world for

compass capable of shaping the world for good now did you know that because you

good now did you know that because you

good now did you know that because you were born but ticular invited to and

were born but ticular invited to and

were born but ticular invited to and longer to do that there has been divine

longer to do that there has been divine

longer to do that there has been divine intervention to give you the moral

intervention to give you the moral

intervention to give you the moral authority to shape the world no feel

authority to shape the world no feel

authority to shape the world no feel aware that a more concern though is that

aware that a more concern though is that

aware that a more concern though is that his statements were well-received by

his statements were well-received by

his statements were well-received by Congress folks we are at the cutting

Congress folks we are at the cutting

Congress folks we are at the cutting edge of the world

edge of the world

edge of the world we had nationalism neoliberalism

we had nationalism neoliberalism

we had nationalism neoliberalism fundamentalism one wall stacked upon the

fundamentalism one wall stacked upon the

fundamentalism one wall stacked upon the other you can’t even see the scenes

other you can’t even see the scenes

other you can’t even see the scenes between the world one begins and one

between the world one begins and one

between the world one begins and one ends and what about science what role is

ends and what about science what role is

ends and what about science what role is science going to play in getting us back

science going to play in getting us back

science going to play in getting us back to the garden some 500 years ago there

to the garden some 500 years ago there

to the garden some 500 years ago there was a kind of shotgun way between the

was a kind of shotgun way between the

was a kind of shotgun way between the church

church

church [Music]

[Music]

[Music] that’s what nicolaus copernicus

that’s what nicolaus copernicus

that’s what nicolaus copernicus publishes on the revolutions in the head

publishes on the revolutions in the head

publishes on the revolutions in the head of these spheres and formally declares

of these spheres and formally declares

of these spheres and formally declares that the earth is no longer and

that the earth is no longer and

that the earth is no longer and eccentric universe now this was an idea

eccentric universe now this was an idea

eccentric universe now this was an idea that was conscious and accepted by the

that was conscious and accepted by the

that was conscious and accepted by the Pope in the church those of you who had

Pope in the church those of you who had

Pope in the church those of you who had a penchant to Rome and to the Sistine

a penchant to Rome and to the Sistine

a penchant to Rome and to the Sistine Chapel

Chapel

Chapel make them see Michelangelo’s the Last

make them see Michelangelo’s the Last

make them see Michelangelo’s the Last Judgement on the Western moment which

Judgement on the Western moment which

Judgement on the Western moment which was painted about the same time as

was painted about the same time as

was painted about the same time as Copernicus of spoke it has this

Copernicus of spoke it has this

Copernicus of spoke it has this heliocentric idea so his sons in the

heliocentric idea so his sons in the

heliocentric idea so his sons in the center with Christ right in front

center with Christ right in front

center with Christ right in front well that is revolutionary okay that was

well that is revolutionary okay that was

well that is revolutionary okay that was that was very revolutionary for the 54s

there is a clue to resolution of this

there is a clue to resolution of this dilemma given in a brief conversation by

dilemma given in a brief conversation by

dilemma given in a brief conversation by Joseph Campbell those of you who was

Joseph Campbell those of you who was

Joseph Campbell those of you who was familiar with his work may recall the

familiar with his work may recall the

familiar with his work may recall the brief conversation does at the Campbell

brief conversation does at the Campbell

brief conversation does at the Campbell had where they Catholic priest in which

had where they Catholic priest in which

had where they Catholic priest in which the priest asked Campbell as he was

the priest asked Campbell as he was

the priest asked Campbell as he was Catholic which came to apply a gloss and

Catholic which came to apply a gloss and

Catholic which came to apply a gloss and then priests asked do you believe in a

then priests asked do you believe in a

then priests asked do you believe in a personal God

no father

no father and the priest asked something

and the priest asked something

and the priest asked something interesting he said I said close and

interesting he said I said close and

interesting he said I said close and couldn’t prove to you through logic the

couldn’t prove to you through logic the

couldn’t prove to you through logic the existence of a personal God so you can’t

existence of a personal God so you can’t

existence of a personal God so you can’t hide a brilliant reply he said if there

hide a brilliant reply he said if there

hide a brilliant reply he said if there were father what would be the value of

were father what would be the value of

were father what would be the value of faith

I knew this about 25 years ago fact I

I knew this about 25 years ago fact I still know

Roberta’s example government said to us

Roberta’s example government said to us but before I was hidden – what was wrong

but before I was hidden – what was wrong

but before I was hidden – what was wrong before I was hit – what mind was wrong

before I was hit – what mind was wrong

before I was hit – what mind was wrong about

about

about I took a pilgrimage for the better part

I took a pilgrimage for the better part

I took a pilgrimage for the better part of a year continued to find the faith

of a year continued to find the faith

of a year continued to find the faith that I never had and I suppose it was

that I never had and I suppose it was

that I never had and I suppose it was worthwhile to witness those who couldn’t

worthwhile to witness those who couldn’t

worthwhile to witness those who couldn’t even up everything to worship their most

even up everything to worship their most

even up everything to worship their most precious D now I’m not proposing that

precious D now I’m not proposing that

precious D now I’m not proposing that any of you planning what I am proposing

any of you planning what I am proposing

any of you planning what I am proposing is if you say this where you are and

is if you say this where you are and

is if you say this where you are and look inside yourself for your own words

look inside yourself for your own words

look inside yourself for your own words and when you find them take a wrecking

and when you find them take a wrecking

and when you find them take a wrecking ball and I believe you’ll find as I have

ball and I believe you’ll find as I have

ball and I believe you’ll find as I have that there is no getting back to the

that there is no getting back to the

that there is no getting back to the garden because

”

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