it was the first day of second grade at a completely brand-new school and I was
a completely brand-new school and I was
a completely brand-new school and I was at recess and I was absolutely terrified
at recess and I was absolutely terrified
at recess and I was absolutely terrified I was walking around the playground
I was walking around the playground
I was walking around the playground pretending I was supposed to pretending
pretending I was supposed to pretending
pretending I was supposed to pretending I had some business being there and
I had some business being there and
I had some business being there and after about a long 10 minutes or so
after about a long 10 minutes or so
after about a long 10 minutes or so another 2nd grader came up to me and she
another 2nd grader came up to me and she
another 2nd grader came up to me and she said hey you want to play catch I was
said hey you want to play catch I was
said hey you want to play catch I was like yes so we started tossing the ball
like yes so we started tossing the ball
like yes so we started tossing the ball back and forth and then a few minutes
back and forth and then a few minutes
back and forth and then a few minutes more she said want to be best friends I
more she said want to be best friends I
more she said want to be best friends I was like absolutely it was like it was
was like absolutely it was like it was
was like absolutely it was like it was like a second graders version of winning
like a second graders version of winning
like a second graders version of winning the lottery and we really did become
the lottery and we really did become
the lottery and we really did become very good friends best friends in fact
very good friends best friends in fact
very good friends best friends in fact and we spent a lot of time together went
and we spent a lot of time together went
and we spent a lot of time together went to each other’s homes and we would do
to each other’s homes and we would do
to each other’s homes and we would do silly things like make up different
silly things like make up different
silly things like make up different games we’d take books and we’d replace
games we’d take books and we’d replace
games we’d take books and we’d replace some of the words into silly words like
some of the words into silly words like
some of the words into silly words like booger or armpit
booger or armpit
booger or armpit I read the sentences out loud and we’d
I read the sentences out loud and we’d
I read the sentences out loud and we’d like run around the living room just
like run around the living room just
like run around the living room just holding our sides cracking up but there
holding our sides cracking up but there
holding our sides cracking up but there was this one day when we were doing our
was this one day when we were doing our
was this one day when we were doing our nerdy little mad libs thing and
nerdy little mad libs thing and
nerdy little mad libs thing and afterwards she came and she sat really
afterwards she came and she sat really
afterwards she came and she sat really close to me and almost in a whisper she
close to me and almost in a whisper she
close to me and almost in a whisper she said I have a secret and I said a secret
said I have a secret and I said a secret
said I have a secret and I said a secret well what is it I’m 7 so nobody’s
well what is it I’m 7 so nobody’s
well what is it I’m 7 so nobody’s telling you secrets I was pretty pumped
telling you secrets I was pretty pumped
telling you secrets I was pretty pumped so she said but you have to promise you
so she said but you have to promise you
so she said but you have to promise you won’t tell anyone and I said yeah yeah I
won’t tell anyone and I said yeah yeah I
won’t tell anyone and I said yeah yeah I promise what is it she said I’m Jewish
promise what is it she said I’m Jewish
promise what is it she said I’m Jewish and I was like what you’re Jewish
and I was like what you’re Jewish
and I was like what you’re Jewish I had no idea what Jewish meant I came
I had no idea what Jewish meant I came
I had no idea what Jewish meant I came from I came from very Indian immigrant
from I came from very Indian immigrant
from I came from very Indian immigrant family and everything we did was very
family and everything we did was very
family and everything we did was very Indian very immigrant the people we
Indian very immigrant the people we
Indian very immigrant the people we spent time with the food we ate the way
spent time with the food we ate the way
spent time with the food we ate the way we worshipped so I had no clue of what
we worshipped so I had no clue of what
we worshipped so I had no clue of what it meant to be Jewish but I feigned my
it meant to be Jewish but I feigned my
it meant to be Jewish but I feigned my shock because what it was a secret so I
shock because what it was a secret so I
shock because what it was a secret so I had to respect that
had to respect that
had to respect that and she said again she said please like
and she said again she said please like
and she said again she said please like don’t tell anyone you have to promise I
don’t tell anyone you have to promise I
don’t tell anyone you have to promise I said yeah I promise but why she said
said yeah I promise but why she said
said yeah I promise but why she said well my mom said people hate Jews and if
well my mom said people hate Jews and if
well my mom said people hate Jews and if they find out they might try to kill me
they find out they might try to kill me
they find out they might try to kill me and I’ll never forget the fear in her
and I’ll never forget the fear in her
and I’ll never forget the fear in her eyes when she said that and over the
eyes when she said that and over the
eyes when she said that and over the years I’ve seen it time and time again
years I’ve seen it time and time again
years I’ve seen it time and time again and friends and family and patience
and friends and family and patience
and friends and family and patience within myself and people are so
within myself and people are so
within myself and people are so perplexed right now they’re like how can
perplexed right now they’re like how can
perplexed right now they’re like how can it be that our society is so hateful
it be that our society is so hateful
it be that our society is so hateful that we’re so emboldened to hate to
that we’re so emboldened to hate to
that we’re so emboldened to hate to separate people to send people back to
separate people to send people back to
separate people to send people back to their own country to separate people
their own country to separate people
their own country to separate people because of their religious views or
because of their religious views or
because of their religious views or sexuality but the thing is that hate
sexuality but the thing is that hate
sexuality but the thing is that hate doesn’t just dissipate right despite
doesn’t just dissipate right despite
doesn’t just dissipate right despite having a two-term black president which
having a two-term black president which
having a two-term black president which makes things even more confusing for
makes things even more confusing for
makes things even more confusing for many it’s an insidious thing and people
many it’s an insidious thing and people
many it’s an insidious thing and people say well how do i how do I go about
say well how do i how do I go about
say well how do i how do I go about making things better what do I say how
making things better what do I say how
making things better what do I say how do I say it what do I do and when people
do I say it what do I do and when people
do I say it what do I do and when people ask me that it often reminds me of how
ask me that it often reminds me of how
ask me that it often reminds me of how people approach me and usually I think
people approach me and usually I think
people approach me and usually I think they come from a really good place a
they come from a really good place a
they come from a really good place a sensitive place but they say what are
sensitive place but they say what are
sensitive place but they say what are you as though I’m like a creature a bug
you as though I’m like a creature a bug
you as though I’m like a creature a bug or something and I’m kind of sassy and I
or something and I’m kind of sassy and I
or something and I’m kind of sassy and I know what they’re asking but I say oh
know what they’re asking but I say oh
know what they’re asking but I say oh whoa I’m a mom and I want to be guitar
whoa I’m a mom and I want to be guitar
whoa I’m a mom and I want to be guitar legend and they’re like no no but like
legend and they’re like no no but like
legend and they’re like no no but like what race are you I’m like oh I’m Indian
what race are you I’m like oh I’m Indian
what race are you I’m like oh I’m Indian and they’re like oh would that make
and they’re like oh would that make
and they’re like oh would that make sense and the most one-dimensional
sense and the most one-dimensional
sense and the most one-dimensional response that I could possibly give them
response that I could possibly give them
response that I could possibly give them makes them happy but most times I strike
makes them happy but most times I strike
makes them happy but most times I strike up more conversation and at least it’s
up more conversation and at least it’s
up more conversation and at least it’s just a start right well other people say
just a start right well other people say
just a start right well other people say oh I don’t ask that question I’m
oh I don’t ask that question I’m
oh I don’t ask that question I’m colorblind I don’t see color I don’t see
colorblind I don’t see color I don’t see
colorblind I don’t see color I don’t see difference the thing with being
difference the thing with being
difference the thing with being colorblind though is that it’s not
colorblind though is that it’s not
colorblind though is that it’s not actually a thing you
actually a thing you
actually a thing you you can’t unsee the fact that I’m brown
you can’t unsee the fact that I’m brown
you can’t unsee the fact that I’m brown right now as hard as you might try or
right now as hard as you might try or
right now as hard as you might try or that I’m a woman or that many things
that I’m a woman or that many things
that I’m a woman or that many things right and the bigger issue is if you
right and the bigger issue is if you
right and the bigger issue is if you don’t see color and you don’t see
don’t see color and you don’t see
don’t see color and you don’t see differences you also don’t see the
differences you also don’t see the
differences you also don’t see the realities of injustice and the fact that
realities of injustice and the fact that
realities of injustice and the fact that there are many systemic barriers deeply
there are many systemic barriers deeply
there are many systemic barriers deeply hurting many many people in our country
hurting many many people in our country
hurting many many people in our country and in the world and people who are
and in the world and people who are
and in the world and people who are colorblind or missing are missing a lot
colorblind or missing are missing a lot
colorblind or missing are missing a lot of things in terms of how systemic
of things in terms of how systemic
of things in terms of how systemic barriers work and instead of addressing
barriers work and instead of addressing
barriers work and instead of addressing issues relating to housing or employment
people tend to blame individuals and say
people tend to blame individuals and say well he’s just not working hard enough
well he’s just not working hard enough
well he’s just not working hard enough or well why don’t they just move out of
or well why don’t they just move out of
or well why don’t they just move out of that terrible neighborhood if it’s so
that terrible neighborhood if it’s so
that terrible neighborhood if it’s so violent as though the solution is that
violent as though the solution is that
violent as though the solution is that easy right there are also many people
easy right there are also many people
easy right there are also many people who say no I’m not colorblind I see
who say no I’m not colorblind I see
who say no I’m not colorblind I see what’s going on especially right now
what’s going on especially right now
what’s going on especially right now it’s blatant people are hateful people
it’s blatant people are hateful people
it’s blatant people are hateful people are mistreating people for just about
are mistreating people for just about
are mistreating people for just about any trait that falls outside of this
any trait that falls outside of this
any trait that falls outside of this narrow definition of mainstream American
narrow definition of mainstream American
narrow definition of mainstream American society but I just feel hopeless I’m not
society but I just feel hopeless I’m not
society but I just feel hopeless I’m not sure what to do I’m not sure where to go
sure what to do I’m not sure where to go
sure what to do I’m not sure where to go from here I’ve tweeted I’ve retweeted
from here I’ve tweeted I’ve retweeted
from here I’ve tweeted I’ve retweeted I’ve posted a repost that I’ve had
I’ve posted a repost that I’ve had
I’ve posted a repost that I’ve had heated facebook arguments I’ve put that
heated facebook arguments I’ve put that
heated facebook arguments I’ve put that sign in front of my house hate has no
sign in front of my house hate has no
sign in front of my house hate has no home here even in the backyard just in
home here even in the backyard just in
home here even in the backyard just in case
case
case and things just aren’t changing and
and things just aren’t changing and
and things just aren’t changing and there really is this sense that it’s
there really is this sense that it’s
there really is this sense that it’s just insurmountable that there’s just so
just insurmountable that there’s just so
just insurmountable that there’s just so much hate right now and our our whole
much hate right now and our our whole
much hate right now and our our whole paradigm of our country improving has
paradigm of our country improving has
paradigm of our country improving has just really changed for many people but
just really changed for many people but
just really changed for many people but I do believe that there is an important
I do believe that there is an important
I do believe that there is an important place to start but it may seem
place to start but it may seem
place to start but it may seem counterintuitive maybe paradoxical even
counterintuitive maybe paradoxical even
counterintuitive maybe paradoxical even but I believe that it’s so important for
but I believe that it’s so important for
but I believe that it’s so important for us to quiet our minds and to really
us to quiet our minds and to really
us to quiet our minds and to really reflect on the interference that’s
reflect on the interference that’s
reflect on the interference that’s happening within ourselves
happening within ourselves
happening within ourselves for instance privilege
for instance privilege
for instance privilege how does privilege function within us
how does privilege function within us
how does privilege function within us and many of us are privileged in
and many of us are privileged in
and many of us are privileged in different ways and how does it impact
different ways and how does it impact
different ways and how does it impact other people for instance what does it
other people for instance what does it
other people for instance what does it mean to be male in America to be white
mean to be male in America to be white
mean to be male in America to be white to be heterosexual to be in a certain
to be heterosexual to be in a certain
to be heterosexual to be in a certain socio-economic bracket to be Christian
socio-economic bracket to be Christian
socio-economic bracket to be Christian all of these things come with a great
all of these things come with a great
all of these things come with a great deal of power privilege and mm-hmm
deal of power privilege and mm-hmm
deal of power privilege and mm-hmm sometimes we forget these things because
sometimes we forget these things because
sometimes we forget these things because we live them it’s not that we’re bad
we live them it’s not that we’re bad
we live them it’s not that we’re bad people we’re all good people but we may
people we’re all good people but we may
people we’re all good people but we may forget or we may get comfortable and the
forget or we may get comfortable and the
forget or we may get comfortable and the more insidious thing beyond privilege is
more insidious thing beyond privilege is
more insidious thing beyond privilege is implicit bias implicit biases are those
implicit bias implicit biases are those
implicit bias implicit biases are those rapid assumptions that we make about
rapid assumptions that we make about
rapid assumptions that we make about people you know what do you think about
people you know what do you think about
people you know what do you think about when you meet somebody wearing a smug
when you meet somebody wearing a smug
when you meet somebody wearing a smug dress a short dress what do you think of
dress a short dress what do you think of
dress a short dress what do you think of when you see two men holding hands what
when you see two men holding hands what
when you see two men holding hands what assumptions are we making or how about
assumptions are we making or how about
assumptions are we making or how about when we are exiting 290 on Austin on the
when we are exiting 290 on Austin on the
when we are exiting 290 on Austin on the expressway ramp and we see someone who’s
expressway ramp and we see someone who’s
expressway ramp and we see someone who’s asking for money you might say uh-uh I’m
asking for money you might say uh-uh I’m
asking for money you might say uh-uh I’m not giving that guy my change I know
not giving that guy my change I know
not giving that guy my change I know exactly where it’s going and he’s going
exactly where it’s going and he’s going
exactly where it’s going and he’s going to go to the closest drug house
to go to the closest drug house
to go to the closest drug house and we weren’t from 0 to 60 making
and we weren’t from 0 to 60 making
and we weren’t from 0 to 60 making assumptions really zero to three seconds
assumptions really zero to three seconds
assumptions really zero to three seconds making making enough
making making enough
making making enough about this gentleman who clearly has
about this gentleman who clearly has
about this gentleman who clearly has fallen on bad times we don’t know why we
fallen on bad times we don’t know why we
fallen on bad times we don’t know why we don’t know his story or we might say
don’t know his story or we might say
don’t know his story or we might say look at him walking up and down that
look at him walking up and down that
look at him walking up and down that ramp better than I can on this hot day
ramp better than I can on this hot day
ramp better than I can on this hot day like he and go get a job but can he what
like he and go get a job but can he what
like he and go get a job but can he what if he has some serious medical illness
if he has some serious medical illness
if he has some serious medical illness or severe mental illness that’s not
or severe mental illness that’s not
or severe mental illness that’s not something we can see what if he has
something we can see what if he has
something we can see what if he has cognitive impairments that aren’t
cognitive impairments that aren’t
cognitive impairments that aren’t obvious and he’s not in fact able to get
obvious and he’s not in fact able to get
obvious and he’s not in fact able to get a job and the thing is with our
a job and the thing is with our
a job and the thing is with our assumptions they’re so quick and they’re
assumptions they’re so quick and they’re
assumptions they’re so quick and they’re so integrated into our lives I mean a
so integrated into our lives I mean a
so integrated into our lives I mean a lot of these things we were taught at a
lot of these things we were taught at a
lot of these things we were taught at a very young age and they’ve been
very young age and they’ve been
very young age and they’ve been reinforced
reinforced
reinforced they’ve been integrated so much that we
they’ve been integrated so much that we
they’ve been integrated so much that we believed them to be true we think we
believed them to be true we think we
believed them to be true we think we think that our assumptions are all facts
think that our assumptions are all facts
think that our assumptions are all facts and we know it all and we’re rights but
and we know it all and we’re rights but
and we know it all and we’re rights but are we right you know the beauty of
are we right you know the beauty of
are we right you know the beauty of reflecting which is a really really
reflecting which is a really really
reflecting which is a really really difficult thing to do
difficult thing to do
difficult thing to do and you’re saying you’re asking but
and you’re saying you’re asking but
and you’re saying you’re asking but right now for me to do all of this at
right now for me to do all of this at
right now for me to do all of this at the same time but the beauty of it is
the same time but the beauty of it is
the same time but the beauty of it is that when we face our assumptions and
that when we face our assumptions and
that when we face our assumptions and take a really good look we’re also able
take a really good look we’re also able
take a really good look we’re also able to hear others assumptions others others
to hear others assumptions others others
to hear others assumptions others others biases and others very opposing views
biases and others very opposing views
biases and others very opposing views which is really really difficult to do I
which is really really difficult to do I
which is really really difficult to do I know especially now when we’re hurt and
know especially now when we’re hurt and
know especially now when we’re hurt and we’re enraged and confused by how
we’re enraged and confused by how
we’re enraged and confused by how hateful people can be but even with the
hateful people can be but even with the
hateful people can be but even with the most opposed views and I say most and
most opposed views and I say most and
most opposed views and I say most and I’m thinking we’re typically not dealing
I’m thinking we’re typically not dealing
I’m thinking we’re typically not dealing with the tiki torch variety we’re
with the tiki torch variety we’re
with the tiki torch variety we’re typically dealing with people who have
typically dealing with people who have
typically dealing with people who have assumptions but care about people
assumptions but care about people
assumptions but care about people generally but hold very strong to their
generally but hold very strong to their
generally but hold very strong to their their views we can feel like Kathy was
their views we can feel like Kathy was
their views we can feel like Kathy was saying very outraged right on both sides
saying very outraged right on both sides
saying very outraged right on both sides but when we’re able to reflect with the
but when we’re able to reflect with the
but when we’re able to reflect with the our selves were able to hear others
our selves were able to hear others
our selves were able to hear others better we’re able to put aside our anger
better we’re able to put aside our anger
better we’re able to put aside our anger we’re able to defer our anger we don’t
we’re able to defer our anger we don’t
we’re able to defer our anger we don’t have to stop being angry we don’t have
have to stop being angry we don’t have
have to stop being angry we don’t have to stop being outraged because as we
to stop being outraged because as we
to stop being outraged because as we heard that’s a very powerful thing and
heard that’s a very powerful thing and
heard that’s a very powerful thing and we can do something really good with
we can do something really good with
we can do something really good with that but we can defer it so that we can
that but we can defer it so that we can
that but we can defer it so that we can really listen to people and when we
really listen to people and when we
really listen to people and when we listen even to people of different
listen even to people of different
listen even to people of different backgrounds of different areas of
backgrounds of different areas of
backgrounds of different areas of thought we may even find some common
thought we may even find some common
thought we may even find some common threads and that’s a really cool thing
threads and that’s a really cool thing
threads and that’s a really cool thing to to experience now you might be saying
to to experience now you might be saying
to to experience now you might be saying well I’m just way too angry to listen
well I’m just way too angry to listen
well I’m just way too angry to listen right now like I can’t listen I need to
right now like I can’t listen I need to
right now like I can’t listen I need to yell I need to scream I need to talk I
yell I need to scream I need to talk I
yell I need to scream I need to talk I need to do something I need to put up
need to do something I need to put up
need to do something I need to put up more signs maybe in my gang ways maybe
more signs maybe in my gang ways maybe
more signs maybe in my gang ways maybe on my car something I need to do
on my car something I need to do
on my car something I need to do something I need to go back on social
something I need to go back on social
something I need to go back on social media on Facebook and post more things I
media on Facebook and post more things I
media on Facebook and post more things I have to I can’t I can’t do this and
have to I can’t I can’t do this and
have to I can’t I can’t do this and that’s fine it’s it’s great I mean
that’s fine it’s it’s great I mean
that’s fine it’s it’s great I mean having social media is a it’s a blessing
having social media is a it’s a blessing
having social media is a it’s a blessing but it can also be a curse because I
but it can also be a curse because I
but it can also be a curse because I believe it’s weakening our ability to
believe it’s weakening our ability to
believe it’s weakening our ability to hear counter arguments to really
hear counter arguments to really
hear counter arguments to really converse like we click like when we like
converse like we click like when we like
converse like we click like when we like we rant when we don’t
we rant when we don’t
we rant when we don’t and then we log off and we’re done and
and then we log off and we’re done and
and then we log off and we’re done and we go about our day and so we’re not
we go about our day and so we’re not
we go about our day and so we’re not really processing what we’re reading or
really processing what we’re reading or
really processing what we’re reading or sharing with people right and the beauty
sharing with people right and the beauty
sharing with people right and the beauty of conversation of listening is that
of conversation of listening is that
of conversation of listening is that we’re processing will me we’re mulling
we’re processing will me we’re mulling
we’re processing will me we’re mulling things over you know the thing as a
things over you know the thing as a
things over you know the thing as a psychologist that such a powerful thing
psychologist that such a powerful thing
psychologist that such a powerful thing that I have the opportunity to see is
that I have the opportunity to see is
that I have the opportunity to see is the relationship with my clients you
the relationship with my clients you
the relationship with my clients you know they they open up they talk about
know they they open up they talk about
know they they open up they talk about their deepest wounds and I feel that
their deepest wounds and I feel that
their deepest wounds and I feel that it’s a blessing for me to be able to sit
it’s a blessing for me to be able to sit
it’s a blessing for me to be able to sit with them with their pain but their hurt
with them with their pain but their hurt
with them with their pain but their hurt but it’s not the technique that a
but it’s not the technique that a
but it’s not the technique that a therapist uses it’s not where she’s
therapist uses it’s not where she’s
therapist uses it’s not where she’s gotten her degree
gotten her degree
gotten her degree a therapist ability to suspend judgment
a therapist ability to suspend judgment
a therapist ability to suspend judgment during that time to really listen and
during that time to really listen and
during that time to really listen and that’s what transforms someone through
that’s what transforms someone through
that’s what transforms someone through horrendous things like gun violence and
horrendous things like gun violence and
horrendous things like gun violence and extreme trauma and veterans PTSD and all
extreme trauma and veterans PTSD and all
extreme trauma and veterans PTSD and all types of really dark places listening is
types of really dark places listening is
types of really dark places listening is powerful and you’re all looking at me
powerful and you’re all looking at me
powerful and you’re all looking at me right now like I’m asking you to go out
right now like I’m asking you to go out
right now like I’m asking you to go out there and talk to the most obnoxious
there and talk to the most obnoxious
there and talk to the most obnoxious people that you know and to do it face
people that you know and to do it face
people that you know and to do it face to face you’re like I can’t just do it
to face you’re like I can’t just do it
to face you’re like I can’t just do it on social media no I’m asking you to
on social media no I’m asking you to
on social media no I’m asking you to have these conversations these difficult
have these conversations these difficult
have these conversations these difficult conversations and you might be cringing
conversations and you might be cringing
conversations and you might be cringing inside and you may not want to do it but
inside and you may not want to do it but
inside and you may not want to do it but it doesn’t hurt to listen and in fact
it doesn’t hurt to listen and in fact
it doesn’t hurt to listen and in fact when we’re able to listen others are
when we’re able to listen others are
when we’re able to listen others are more willing to reciprocate so when
more willing to reciprocate so when
more willing to reciprocate so when we’re ready to finally say something and
we’re ready to finally say something and
we’re ready to finally say something and you’re saying oh you’re gonna allow me
you’re saying oh you’re gonna allow me
you’re saying oh you’re gonna allow me to talk now like yes
to talk now like yes
to talk now like yes yeah when when when it’s our turn to
yeah when when when it’s our turn to
yeah when when when it’s our turn to talk and we’ve listened well we don’t
talk and we’ve listened well we don’t
talk and we’ve listened well we don’t have to state stats and facts and stuff
have to state stats and facts and stuff
have to state stats and facts and stuff we’ve heard on the news because people
we’ve heard on the news because people
we’ve heard on the news because people are so desensitized to that sadly but
are so desensitized to that sadly but
are so desensitized to that sadly but what we can do I think for people to
what we can do I think for people to
what we can do I think for people to hear us well is to tell stories in order
hear us well is to tell stories in order
hear us well is to tell stories in order to change the narrative of inequity I
to change the narrative of inequity I
to change the narrative of inequity I believe we have to share our narratives
believe we have to share our narratives
believe we have to share our narratives to be able to tell people how injustice
to be able to tell people how injustice
to be able to tell people how injustice affects us how inequity affects us so
affects us how inequity affects us so
affects us how inequity affects us so for instance when people are like oh
for instance when people are like oh
for instance when people are like oh yeah but all lives matter and you feel
yeah but all lives matter and you feel
yeah but all lives matter and you feel something bad inside and you want to
something bad inside and you want to
something bad inside and you want to talk about the realities of how people
talk about the realities of how people
talk about the realities of how people are killed because of the color of their
are killed because of the color of their
are killed because of the color of their skin and why black lives matter even has
skin and why black lives matter even has
skin and why black lives matter even has to be a movement it’s okay to instead
to be a movement it’s okay to instead
to be a movement it’s okay to instead share a story of how you’ve been how
share a story of how you’ve been how
share a story of how you’ve been how you’ve been affected by injustice how
you’ve been affected by injustice how
you’ve been affected by injustice how all lives should matter
all lives should matter
all lives should matter but that doesn’t apply to me or to a
but that doesn’t apply to me or to a
but that doesn’t apply to me or to a friend or to a true account that I’ve
friend or to a true account that I’ve
friend or to a true account that I’ve read about or when people say oh well
read about or when people say oh well
read about or when people say oh well you’re not really latina or you’re not
you’re not really latina or you’re not
you’re not really latina or you’re not really Jamaican because that person
really Jamaican because that person
really Jamaican because that person falls outside of the stereotype and
falls outside of the stereotype and
falls outside of the stereotype and maybe articulates themselves in a way
maybe articulates themselves in a way
maybe articulates themselves in a way that is surprising or it’s like a
that is surprising or it’s like a
that is surprising or it’s like a brilliant entrepreneur or doesn’t fit
brilliant entrepreneur or doesn’t fit
brilliant entrepreneur or doesn’t fit those assumptions that people sometimes
those assumptions that people sometimes
those assumptions that people sometimes have we can share how demeaning it is to
have we can share how demeaning it is to
have we can share how demeaning it is to say things like that like when people
say things like that like when people
say things like that like when people say that to me when they’re like oh
say that to me when they’re like oh
say that to me when they’re like oh you’re not really Indian I’m like all
you’re not really Indian I’m like all
you’re not really Indian I’m like all would you like me to talk like this with
would you like me to talk like this with
would you like me to talk like this with the bobble head movements and yes
the bobble head movements and yes
the bobble head movements and yes sometimes I do the bobble head think but
sometimes I do the bobble head think but
sometimes I do the bobble head think but I’m not a boo from the symptom Simpsons
I’m not a boo from the symptom Simpsons
I’m not a boo from the symptom Simpsons I’m not a caricature you can’t put me in
I’m not a caricature you can’t put me in
I’m not a caricature you can’t put me in a box I’m too too sassy for that and
a box I’m too too sassy for that and
a box I’m too too sassy for that and none of us can be put put in boxes none
none of us can be put put in boxes none
none of us can be put put in boxes none of us can be defined by some
of us can be defined by some
of us can be defined by some one-dimensional description no Alex
one-dimensional description no Alex
one-dimensional description no Alex Kotlowitz is an author a journalist and
Kotlowitz is an author a journalist and
Kotlowitz is an author a journalist and Oak Park resident actually who wrote the
Oak Park resident actually who wrote the
Oak Park resident actually who wrote the book there are no children here it was
book there are no children here it was
book there are no children here it was published in 1992 and what he did so
published in 1992 and what he did so
published in 1992 and what he did so beautifully was took the question of
beautifully was took the question of
beautifully was took the question of what are you and he transformed that
what are you and he transformed that
what are you and he transformed that through narrative into who are you he
through narrative into who are you he
through narrative into who are you he told a story of a black family living on
told a story of a black family living on
told a story of a black family living on the west side of Chicago in the Henry
the west side of Chicago in the Henry
the west side of Chicago in the Henry Horner homes and the what are you was
Horner homes and the what are you was
Horner homes and the what are you was well he really focused on two of the
well he really focused on two of the
well he really focused on two of the boys in the family the younger boys and
boys in the family the younger boys and
boys in the family the younger boys and so there were two black males living on
so there were two black males living on
so there were two black males living on the west side and poverty and crime but
the west side and poverty and crime but
the west side and poverty and crime but he took that and transformed that into
he took that and transformed that into
he took that and transformed that into who they really were there were two
who they really were there were two
who they really were there were two young children who were facing barriers
young children who were facing barriers
young children who were facing barriers like a poor educational system a broken
like a poor educational system a broken
like a poor educational system a broken justice system a terrible housing system
justice system a terrible housing system
justice system a terrible housing system and despite seeing people that they knew
and despite seeing people that they knew
and despite seeing people that they knew and cared about being killed
and cared about being killed
and cared about being killed they would say well if I make it to my
they would say well if I make it to my
they would say well if I make it to my next birthday these are my visions these
next birthday these are my visions these
next birthday these are my visions these are my dreams so what mr. Kotlowitz did
are my dreams so what mr. Kotlowitz did
are my dreams so what mr. Kotlowitz did so wonderfully was restored humanity
so wonderfully was restored humanity
so wonderfully was restored humanity into a area of our city that was so
into a area of our city that was so
into a area of our city that was so highly dehumanized and continues to be
highly dehumanized and continues to be
highly dehumanized and continues to be this book was written in 1992 which
this book was written in 1992 which
this book was written in 1992 which breaks my heart so clearly we have a
breaks my heart so clearly we have a
breaks my heart so clearly we have a whole lot of work to do but we can do it
whole lot of work to do but we can do it
whole lot of work to do but we can do it all of us we too can transform the
all of us we too can transform the
all of us we too can transform the question of what are you into who are
question of what are you into who are
question of what are you into who are you
you
you if only we’re first able to ask
if only we’re first able to ask
if only we’re first able to ask ourselves who we are thank you
ourselves who we are thank you
ourselves who we are thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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