[Music] my name is Nadia enigma that’s any GM so
my name is Nadia enigma that’s any GM so
my name is Nadia enigma that’s any GM so I’m from Egypt I didn’t grow up there
I’m from Egypt I didn’t grow up there
I’m from Egypt I didn’t grow up there never lived there I did grow up in
never lived there I did grow up in
never lived there I did grow up in Africa though specifically in the maybea
Africa though specifically in the maybea
Africa though specifically in the maybea and Ethiopia and growing up my friends
and Ethiopia and growing up my friends
and Ethiopia and growing up my friends were from all over the place they were
were from all over the place they were
were from all over the place they were from Senegal Nigeria Cameroon Ethiopia
from Senegal Nigeria Cameroon Ethiopia
from Senegal Nigeria Cameroon Ethiopia and so all my friends were black except
and so all my friends were black except
and so all my friends were black except for my two white friends were shows up
for my two white friends were shows up
for my two white friends were shows up who were from South Africa and so I
who were from South Africa and so I
who were from South Africa and so I growing up I really wanted to be black
growing up I really wanted to be black
growing up I really wanted to be black because that’s what all my friends were
because that’s what all my friends were
because that’s what all my friends were you know and I and you know I feel like
you know and I and you know I feel like
you know and I and you know I feel like that’s what every kid wanted you know
that’s what every kid wanted you know
that’s what every kid wanted you know not to be black notice let me clarify
not to be black notice let me clarify
not to be black notice let me clarify it’s to fit in because you know and so
it’s to fit in because you know and so
it’s to fit in because you know and so obviously I can’t be black because my
obviously I can’t be black because my
obviously I can’t be black because my composure and we found out that we were
composure and we found out that we were
composure and we found out that we were moving from Ethiopia to Switzerland and
moving from Ethiopia to Switzerland and
moving from Ethiopia to Switzerland and my friends were really excited for me
my friends were really excited for me
my friends were really excited for me you know like a you’re going home you’re
you know like a you’re going home you’re
you know like a you’re going home you’re going to look like everybody else ah
going to look like everybody else ah
going to look like everybody else ah send me a Rolex like I’m just gonna okay
send me a Rolex like I’m just gonna okay
send me a Rolex like I’m just gonna okay and they were really excited for me and
and they were really excited for me and
and they were really excited for me and I think my two South African friends
I think my two South African friends
I think my two South African friends were also examine they seemed excited
were also examine they seemed excited
were also examine they seemed excited they’re like oh Europe
they’re like oh Europe
they’re like oh Europe yeah I’m so excited for you hey no I’m
yeah I’m so excited for you hey no I’m
yeah I’m so excited for you hey no I’m not jealous at all nor you know I love
not jealous at all nor you know I love
not jealous at all nor you know I love the people I mean the service I mean the
the people I mean the service I mean the
the people I mean the service I mean the people here you’re a levy freaka so that
people here you’re a levy freaka so that
people here you’re a levy freaka so that was it I was on a plane to Geneva and I
was it I was on a plane to Geneva and I
was it I was on a plane to Geneva and I and I got here and I decided I’m going
and I got here and I decided I’m going
and I got here and I decided I’m going to be white I fit the parts right yeah
to be white I fit the parts right yeah
to be white I fit the parts right yeah this all fell through on the first day
this all fell through on the first day
this all fell through on the first day of school because you see my last name
of school because you see my last name
of school because you see my last name EGM Nigam isn’t that hard to pronounce
EGM Nigam isn’t that hard to pronounce
EGM Nigam isn’t that hard to pronounce in Africa where people speak with you
in Africa where people speak with you
in Africa where people speak with you know it’s okay so I sat down first day
know it’s okay so I sat down first day
know it’s okay so I sat down first day of school Michael keep you white be
of school Michael keep you white be
of school Michael keep you white be white be white
white be white
white be white George Bush yes
and a big guy mr. Jones walks in he’s
and a big guy mr. Jones walks in he’s from Texas right so he’s reading off a
from Texas right so he’s reading off a
from Texas right so he’s reading off a list Erik core Katherine Jevons Sarah
list Erik core Katherine Jevons Sarah
list Erik core Katherine Jevons Sarah Gilpin Nadia nigga
Gilpin Nadia nigga
Gilpin Nadia nigga Nadia NIC is there a nigga I’m in here
Nadia NIC is there a nigga I’m in here
Nadia NIC is there a nigga I’m in here and I don’t want to be like yes I’m the
and I don’t want to be like yes I’m the
and I don’t want to be like yes I’m the nigga I’m like no that’s not me so I
nigga I’m like no that’s not me so I
nigga I’m like no that’s not me so I walk out of the class first thing I hear
walk out of the class first thing I hear
walk out of the class first thing I hear down the hallway yo what up man new gun
down the hallway yo what up man new gun
down the hallway yo what up man new gun and that’s what I was referred to for
and that’s what I was referred to for
and that’s what I was referred to for the next four years and it sucked but at
the next four years and it sucked but at
the next four years and it sucked but at least that felt black yeah so there’s an
least that felt black yeah so there’s an
least that felt black yeah so there’s an upset there’s an upset but I’ve been
upset there’s an upset but I’ve been
upset there’s an upset but I’ve been here for the past five years and I love
here for the past five years and I love
here for the past five years and I love Geneva I love it so all this courts you
Geneva I love it so all this courts you
Geneva I love it so all this courts you know it’s safe there’s no real issues
know it’s safe there’s no real issues
know it’s safe there’s no real issues except for the passive-aggressive war
except for the passive-aggressive war
except for the passive-aggressive war between the people and TPG which I have
between the people and TPG which I have
between the people and TPG which I have noticed yes yes and no it’s an issue for
noticed yes yes and no it’s an issue for
noticed yes yes and no it’s an issue for those of you who don’t know whoever’s
those of you who don’t know whoever’s
those of you who don’t know whoever’s watching from not in Geneva TPJ is our
watching from not in Geneva TPJ is our
watching from not in Geneva TPJ is our local gang no they’re the public
local gang no they’re the public
local gang no they’re the public transfer provided providers in Geneva
transfer provided providers in Geneva
transfer provided providers in Geneva and when I first arrived here I was
and when I first arrived here I was
and when I first arrived here I was religiously buying tickets because
religiously buying tickets because
religiously buying tickets because that’s what they stress on right you’re
that’s what they stress on right you’re
that’s what they stress on right you’re like you have to buy a ticket so I was
like you have to buy a ticket so I was
like you have to buy a ticket so I was buying them every day and then I
buying them every day and then I
buying them every day and then I realized nobody’s checking
realized nobody’s checking
realized nobody’s checking so I got comfortable and this is what
so I got comfortable and this is what
so I got comfortable and this is what TPJ they wait for you to get comfortable
TPJ they wait for you to get comfortable
TPJ they wait for you to get comfortable and after two or three months they just
and after two or three months they just
and after two or three months they just attack you know it’s like a raid they’re
attack you know it’s like a raid they’re
attack you know it’s like a raid they’re everywhere it’s like a creepy predator
everywhere it’s like a creepy predator
everywhere it’s like a creepy predator and like you feel it like you’ll be
and like you feel it like you’ll be
and like you feel it like you’ll be sitting on the bus listening to Justin
sitting on the bus listening to Justin
sitting on the bus listening to Justin Bieber and it’s like and they like block
Bieber and it’s like and they like block
Bieber and it’s like and they like block all the doors to get on baby stop crying
all the doors to get on baby stop crying
all the doors to get on baby stop crying homeless people homeless people stop
homeless people homeless people stop
homeless people homeless people stop talking to themselves you know you just
talking to themselves you know you just
talking to themselves you know you just like you feel it you have your ticket
like you feel it you have your ticket
like you feel it you have your ticket but you know something’s gonna go wrong
but you know something’s gonna go wrong
but you know something’s gonna go wrong like ticket ticket ticket as soon as
like ticket ticket ticket as soon as
like ticket ticket ticket as soon as they catch someone it’s like they bring
they catch someone it’s like they bring
they catch someone it’s like they bring two more people surrett to surround you
two more people surrett to surround you
two more people surrett to surround you as if you’re like some prize they just
as if you’re like some prize they just
as if you’re like some prize they just hunted you know and then they bring you
hunted you know and then they bring you
hunted you know and then they bring you out line you up like you’re going to
out line you up like you’re going to
out line you up like you’re going to want animal Bay ridiculous and and that
want animal Bay ridiculous and and that
want animal Bay ridiculous and and that that I must say is the only real
that I must say is the only real
that I must say is the only real struggle we have in Geneva you know no
struggle we have in Geneva you know no
struggle we have in Geneva you know no no no because I’m but that’s why I’m
no no because I’m but that’s why I’m
no no because I’m but that’s why I’m always confused when I see these kids
always confused when I see these kids
always confused when I see these kids that really try to act gangster you know
that really try to act gangster you know
that really try to act gangster you know what I’m talking about the guy anyone
what I’m talking about the guy anyone
what I’m talking about the guy anyone anyone no okay well you’ve seen them
anyone no okay well you’ve seen them
anyone no okay well you’ve seen them they wear the so they’re so they’re the
they wear the so they’re so they’re the
they wear the so they’re so they’re the ones that wear the air matte air max is
ones that wear the air matte air max is
ones that wear the air matte air max is you know and they walk around wash wash
you know and they walk around wash wash
you know and they walk around wash wash Mac and they’ve got the little little
Mac and they’ve got the little little
Mac and they’ve got the little little Gucci Gucci bag that’s holding a that’s
Gucci Gucci bag that’s holding a that’s
Gucci Gucci bag that’s holding a that’s big enough to hold a condom we know
big enough to hold a condom we know
big enough to hold a condom we know they’re not gonna have the opportunity
they’re not gonna have the opportunity
they’re not gonna have the opportunity to use and they try to act really
to use and they try to act really
to use and they try to act really gangster and I’m like why I mean you’re
gangster and I’m like why I mean you’re
gangster and I’m like why I mean you’re growing up one of the richest cities in
growing up one of the richest cities in
growing up one of the richest cities in the world how what what is your struggle
the world how what what is your struggle
the world how what what is your struggle you know can you imagine a rapper coming
you know can you imagine a rapper coming
you know can you imagine a rapper coming out of Geneva
right like they’d be like straight out
right like they’d be like straight out of shine of crazy car dealer named
of shine of crazy car dealer named
of shine of crazy car dealer named jean-claude like no no and then in an
jean-claude like no no and then in an
jean-claude like no no and then in an interview they’d be like what would you
interview they’d be like what would you
interview they’d be like what would you struggle to be like man you should have
struggle to be like man you should have
struggle to be like man you should have met tip is G don’t get me started on
met tip is G don’t get me started on
met tip is G don’t get me started on cFFO but I love Geneva you know and and
cFFO but I love Geneva you know and and
cFFO but I love Geneva you know and and I get and so that’s why I get upset when
I get and so that’s why I get upset when
I get and so that’s why I get upset when people say there’s no culture here
people say there’s no culture here
people say there’s no culture here there’s no because there is and I’m
there’s no because there is and I’m
there’s no because there is and I’m gonna tell you about something that
gonna tell you about something that
gonna tell you about something that happened to me this well actually in
happened to me this well actually in
happened to me this well actually in November I’ve been living here for about
November I’ve been living here for about
November I’ve been living here for about five years and I would have been
five years and I would have been
five years and I would have been eligible to become Swiss in 2018 and
eligible to become Swiss in 2018 and
eligible to become Swiss in 2018 and because the laws are changing I wanted
because the laws are changing I wanted
because the laws are changing I wanted to know where I stand with this so I
to know where I stand with this so I
to know where I stand with this so I sent an email to the office of
sent an email to the office of
sent an email to the office of integration and I asked them I got a
integration and I asked them I got a
integration and I asked them I got a reply dear Nadia Nick you will be
reply dear Nadia Nick you will be
reply dear Nadia Nick you will be eligible for the Swiss passport in 2021
eligible for the Swiss passport in 2021
eligible for the Swiss passport in 2021 thank you for not laughing because that
thank you for not laughing because that
thank you for not laughing because that wasn’t funny that was not a good day for
wasn’t funny that was not a good day for
wasn’t funny that was not a good day for me and obviously this really upset me
me and obviously this really upset me
me and obviously this really upset me because I really feel like I belong here
because I really feel like I belong here
because I really feel like I belong here I feel like I have a very good space
I feel like I have a very good space
I feel like I have a very good space here I love living here and so I sent
here I love living here and so I sent
here I love living here and so I sent them another emails like look I’m an
them another emails like look I’m an
them another emails like look I’m an athlete I’ve been training here is there
athlete I’ve been training here is there
athlete I’ve been training here is there any exception you can make sorry we do
any exception you can make sorry we do
any exception you can make sorry we do not make exceptions that’s the short
not make exceptions that’s the short
not make exceptions that’s the short version the long version was 25 words
version the long version was 25 words
version the long version was 25 words 121 characters I counted because that
121 characters I counted because that
121 characters I counted because that destroyed my heart and you know when
destroyed my heart and you know when
destroyed my heart and you know when they said no exception something just
they said no exception something just
they said no exception something just didn’t compute in my in my in my brain
didn’t compute in my in my in my brain
didn’t compute in my in my in my brain you know as an African I was like like
you know as an African I was like like
you know as an African I was like like it just didn’t come like it didn’t work
it just didn’t come like it didn’t work
it just didn’t come like it didn’t work in Africa they make exceptions you know
in Africa they make exceptions you know
in Africa they make exceptions you know we make exceptions that’s the way it
we make exceptions that’s the way it
we make exceptions that’s the way it works yeah yeah you’re like yes you want
works yeah yeah you’re like yes you want
works yeah yeah you’re like yes you want to get your license how old are you 16
to get your license how old are you 16
to get your license how old are you 16 hmm I’ve got $100 I close enough er why
hmm I’ve got $100 I close enough er why
hmm I’ve got $100 I close enough er why not but this is the thing about Geneva
not but this is the thing about Geneva
not but this is the thing about Geneva is that that is the culture culture is
is that that is the culture culture is
is that that is the culture culture is what makes society function as
what makes society function as
what makes society function as effectively as possible
effectively as possible
effectively as possible if you conform to the culture of a place
if you conform to the culture of a place
if you conform to the culture of a place your role in society will be more
your role in society will be more
your role in society will be more effective you will feel more effective
effective you will feel more effective
effective you will feel more effective and that’s the thing in Geneva if you
and that’s the thing in Geneva if you
and that’s the thing in Geneva if you conform to working hard being on time
conform to working hard being on time
conform to working hard being on time doing things by the book
doing things by the book
doing things by the book you will get the results that you want
you will get the results that you want
you will get the results that you want you know I mean where I come from our
you know I mean where I come from our
you know I mean where I come from our culture is to beat behind the bush and
culture is to beat behind the bush and
culture is to beat behind the bush and you know not do things very ethnically
you know not do things very ethnically
you know not do things very ethnically but that’s the way my society functions
but that’s the way my society functions
but that’s the way my society functions over there that’s how affect that’s how
over there that’s how affect that’s how
over there that’s how affect that’s how we are effective here it’s different
we are effective here it’s different
we are effective here it’s different here you gotta follow the rules and
here you gotta follow the rules and
here you gotta follow the rules and that’s why when people people are most
that’s why when people people are most
that’s why when people people are most miserable when they don’t conform when
miserable when they don’t conform when
miserable when they don’t conform when they don’t follow the rules and they
they don’t follow the rules and they
they don’t follow the rules and they don’t conform to it because they don’t
don’t conform to it because they don’t
don’t conform to it because they don’t feel like they’re as functional as they
feel like they’re as functional as they
feel like they’re as functional as they can be they’re not as effective and when
can be they’re not as effective and when
can be they’re not as effective and when you do conform and when you really do
you do conform and when you really do
you do conform and when you really do you know do things on time and get and
you know do things on time and get and
you know do things on time and get and be there on time and be ready you get
be there on time and be ready you get
be there on time and be ready you get the results you want
the results you want
the results you want and that’s how I managed to go to the
and that’s how I managed to go to the
and that’s how I managed to go to the Olympic Games in 2016 thank you thank
Olympic Games in 2016 thank you thank
Olympic Games in 2016 thank you thank you thank you yes I made sure thank you
you thank you yes I made sure thank you
you thank you yes I made sure thank you I made sure that I like I was training
I made sure that I like I was training
I made sure that I like I was training in a Swiss way you know I was on there I
in a Swiss way you know I was on there I
in a Swiss way you know I was on there I was there on time I did my trainings and
was there on time I did my trainings and
was there on time I did my trainings and I conformed and therefore I got the
I conformed and therefore I got the
I conformed and therefore I got the results I wanted so let’s talk about the
results I wanted so let’s talk about the
results I wanted so let’s talk about the Olympics a little bit you know I got a I
Olympics a little bit you know I got a I
Olympics a little bit you know I got a I got it the Olympics is insane it was
got it the Olympics is insane it was
got it the Olympics is insane it was incredible it is the most human place a
incredible it is the most human place a
incredible it is the most human place a man imaginable you know I’m trying to
man imaginable you know I’m trying to
man imaginable you know I’m trying to stay on theme it is because you only
stay on theme it is because you only
stay on theme it is because you only think about it’s it’s it’s the human
think about it’s it’s it’s the human
think about it’s it’s it’s the human body just doing the most insane stuff
body just doing the most insane stuff
body just doing the most insane stuff and you know with every team that was at
and you know with every team that was at
and you know with every team that was at the games you felt a different energy
the games you felt a different energy
the games you felt a different energy and I kind of categorized them into
and I kind of categorized them into
and I kind of categorized them into three so there were the enthusiasts the
three so there were the enthusiasts the
three so there were the enthusiasts the Isolators and the fangirls I think you
Isolators and the fangirls I think you
Isolators and the fangirls I think you know where I fit in
know where I fit in
know where I fit in yeah so the enthusiasts Americans really
yeah so the enthusiasts Americans really
yeah so the enthusiasts Americans really really excited to be there like they
really excited to be there like they
really excited to be there like they were I remember sitting in the cafeteria
were I remember sitting in the cafeteria
were I remember sitting in the cafeteria and all of a sudden just you could smell
yeah yeah and you just hear like this
yeah yeah and you just hear like this background noise like him but I should
background noise like him but I should
background noise like him but I should say foreground noise because it’s so
say foreground noise because it’s so
say foreground noise because it’s so loud and you don’t interviews they were
loud and you don’t interviews they were
loud and you don’t interviews they were so excited they were so excited you know
so excited they were so excited you know
so excited they were so excited you know they’re like yeah we’re here we got
they’re like yeah we’re here we got
they’re like yeah we’re here we got Phelps we got biles we got everyone on
Phelps we got biles we got everyone on
Phelps we got biles we got everyone on the team mom hey I’d see you there but
the team mom hey I’d see you there but
the team mom hey I’d see you there but it’s just so excited and they would do
it’s just so excited and they would do
it’s just so excited and they would do so well and then you had the complete
so well and then you had the complete
so well and then you had the complete opposite which were the isolated and so
opposite which were the isolated and so
opposite which were the isolated and so I remember I remember this very clearly
I remember I remember this very clearly
I remember I remember this very clearly I felt when they arrived because I was
I felt when they arrived because I was
I felt when they arrived because I was walking towards the bus stop and it just
walking towards the bus stop and it just
walking towards the bus stop and it just got really cold like the temperate like
got really cold like the temperate like
got really cold like the temperate like physically like the temperature just
physically like the temperature just
physically like the temperature just have dropped or something because the
have dropped or something because the
have dropped or something because the Germans had arrived and you felt it and
Germans had arrived and you felt it and
Germans had arrived and you felt it and I mean like that’s what’s interesting is
I mean like that’s what’s interesting is
I mean like that’s what’s interesting is that they just went they want and no one
that they just went they want and no one
that they just went they want and no one saw them again like they would just hide
saw them again like they would just hide
saw them again like they would just hide out like they just they just go they
out like they just they just go they
out like they just they just go they take the medal to me leave and I
take the medal to me leave and I
take the medal to me leave and I remember I remember um I remember in
remember I remember um I remember in
remember I remember um I remember in interviews they’d be like yes we’re here
interviews they’d be like yes we’re here
interviews they’d be like yes we’re here and we’re going to apply we’re very
and we’re going to apply we’re very
and we’re going to apply we’re very excited and I’m sorry that’s all the
excited and I’m sorry that’s all the
excited and I’m sorry that’s all the time we ups today and they were just
time we ups today and they were just
time we ups today and they were just like leave bye and then there were
like leave bye and then there were
like leave bye and then there were people like me you know the fangirls who
people like me you know the fangirls who
people like me you know the fangirls who uh didn’t really know what they were
uh didn’t really know what they were
uh didn’t really know what they were doing just kind of chillin and it’s
doing just kind of chillin and it’s
doing just kind of chillin and it’s interesting the Olympics is very
interesting the Olympics is very
interesting the Olympics is very interesting because I’ve never seen a
interesting because I’ve never seen a
interesting because I’ve never seen a place where everyone pretends to not
place where everyone pretends to not
place where everyone pretends to not know each other it’s like being on the
know each other it’s like being on the
know each other it’s like being on the red carpet but for athletes like you
red carpet but for athletes like you
red carpet but for athletes like you just pretend like you’re like oh Michael
just pretend like you’re like oh Michael
just pretend like you’re like oh Michael Michael Phelps you know I did see him
Michael Phelps you know I did see him
Michael Phelps you know I did see him from a far away you know I was like sup
from a far away you know I was like sup
from a far away you know I was like sup Michael Simone biles walked past me
Michael Simone biles walked past me
Michael Simone biles walked past me she’s really small I think she walked
she’s really small I think she walked
she’s really small I think she walked past me it could have been any I’m just
past me it could have been any I’m just
past me it could have been any I’m just really short yeah but the moments where
really short yeah but the moments where
really short yeah but the moments where I think I almost broke whose when I saw
I think I almost broke whose when I saw
I think I almost broke whose when I saw Usain Bolt’s yeah yeah any both fans
Usain Bolt’s yeah yeah any both fans
Usain Bolt’s yeah yeah any both fans everyone’s a Bulls fan why did I ask man
everyone’s a Bulls fan why did I ask man
everyone’s a Bulls fan why did I ask man so we were standing in a lunch line he’s
so we were standing in a lunch line he’s
so we were standing in a lunch line he’s just there he’s like hey I’m you saying
just there he’s like hey I’m you saying
just there he’s like hey I’m you saying and that’s the thing you can’t be a
and that’s the thing you can’t be a
and that’s the thing you can’t be a fangirl at the Olympics when you’re in
fangirl at the Olympics when you’re in
fangirl at the Olympics when you’re in the Olympics so I was like okay gotta
the Olympics so I was like okay gotta
the Olympics so I was like okay gotta act cool got out cool you know cool cool
act cool got out cool you know cool cool
act cool got out cool you know cool cool Usain are you sane ah okay okay yeah oh
Usain are you sane ah okay okay yeah oh
Usain are you sane ah okay okay yeah oh well it’s nice to meet what’s your last
well it’s nice to meet what’s your last
well it’s nice to meet what’s your last name bolts cool cool is like Joe you
name bolts cool cool is like Joe you
name bolts cool cool is like Joe you must be fast
he’s like yeah yeah so I’m like so
he’s like yeah yeah so I’m like so what’s your event sprinting good luck
what’s your event sprinting good luck
what’s your event sprinting good luck and then you know he’s like ah sigh Oh
and then you know he’s like ah sigh Oh
and then you know he’s like ah sigh Oh me I’m a rower oh oh oh my name Nadia my
me I’m a rower oh oh oh my name Nadia my
me I’m a rower oh oh oh my name Nadia my last thing oh you don’t want to know
last thing oh you don’t want to know
last thing oh you don’t want to know thank you that’s my time thank you very
thank you that’s my time thank you very
thank you that’s my time thank you very much
much
much [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment