growing up as a young Muslim woman in Queens New York
Queens New York
Queens New York I felt oftentimes an over sense
I felt oftentimes an over sense
I felt oftentimes an over sense overwhelming feeling of powerlessness in
overwhelming feeling of powerlessness in
overwhelming feeling of powerlessness in my body
my body
my body I remember every morning standing in
I remember every morning standing in
I remember every morning standing in front of a mirror eye brows scrunch deep
front of a mirror eye brows scrunch deep
front of a mirror eye brows scrunch deep into my tiny face and pulling up skin
into my tiny face and pulling up skin
into my tiny face and pulling up skin tight blue jeans past sighs I have yet
tight blue jeans past sighs I have yet
tight blue jeans past sighs I have yet to learn to appreciate I remember
to learn to appreciate I remember
to learn to appreciate I remember picking up my Jordans and a white tee
picking up my Jordans and a white tee
picking up my Jordans and a white tee three times my size wearing it over my
three times my size wearing it over my
three times my size wearing it over my body covering most of my body and then
body covering most of my body and then
body covering most of my body and then stepping out into the early mornings of
stepping out into the early mornings of
stepping out into the early mornings of Queens New York City streets early
Queens New York City streets early
Queens New York City streets early enough before someone can beg me to eat
enough before someone can beg me to eat
enough before someone can beg me to eat something I remember wishing with every
something I remember wishing with every
something I remember wishing with every step that I was invisible but somehow
step that I was invisible but somehow
step that I was invisible but somehow the curves of my body would beckon
the curves of my body would beckon
the curves of my body would beckon chilling grabs and hissing on streets
chilling grabs and hissing on streets
chilling grabs and hissing on streets and in hallways with every touch I would
and in hallways with every touch I would
and in hallways with every touch I would feel the deep the bitter acid of my
feel the deep the bitter acid of my
feel the deep the bitter acid of my stomach come up to the back of my throat
stomach come up to the back of my throat
stomach come up to the back of my throat he must really like you my friends would
he must really like you my friends would
he must really like you my friends would remind me or would try to assure me in
remind me or would try to assure me in
remind me or would try to assure me in between math class in English I would
between math class in English I would
between math class in English I would paint my face in ways that erased my
paint my face in ways that erased my
paint my face in ways that erased my mother from my eyes but it was the only
mother from my eyes but it was the only
mother from my eyes but it was the only way at that point in my life I knew how
way at that point in my life I knew how
way at that point in my life I knew how to regain any semblance of confidence
to regain any semblance of confidence
to regain any semblance of confidence you see I was 12 years old growing up in
you see I was 12 years old growing up in
you see I was 12 years old growing up in a post-911 New York City and my identity
a post-911 New York City and my identity
a post-911 New York City and my identity was complex as hell I was Egyptian
was complex as hell I was Egyptian
was complex as hell I was Egyptian Muslim a woman of color urban tongued
Muslim a woman of color urban tongued
Muslim a woman of color urban tongued trying to contain foreign and small
trying to contain foreign and small
trying to contain foreign and small doses small enough to make me still
doses small enough to make me still
doses small enough to make me still palatable but somehow home always sent
palatable but somehow home always sent
palatable but somehow home always sent me away with pita bread falafel
me away with pita bread falafel
me away with pita bread falafel sandwiches even when I threw them out at
sandwiches even when I threw them out at
sandwiches even when I threw them out at the door the smell of home was still
the door the smell of home was still
the door the smell of home was still lingered at that point in my life I was
lingered at that point in my life I was
lingered at that point in my life I was trying to master the art of shrinking
trying to master the art of shrinking
trying to master the art of shrinking shrinking my body my voice my heritage
shrinking my body my voice my heritage
shrinking my body my voice my heritage my self I am 15 years old standing in
my self I am 15 years old standing in
my self I am 15 years old standing in front of a long mirror rapping beautiful
front of a long mirror rapping beautiful
front of a long mirror rapping beautiful right silk around my head the way my
right silk around my head the way my
right silk around my head the way my mother does the way my grandmother did
mother does the way my grandmother did
mother does the way my grandmother did with each rap it is beauty culture a
with each rap it is beauty culture a
with each rap it is beauty culture a tradition wait only we are strong enough
tradition wait only we are strong enough
tradition wait only we are strong enough to bear and I would every morning slip
to bear and I would every morning slip
to bear and I would every morning slip my mentors my mentors copy of Malcolm
my mentors my mentors copy of Malcolm
my mentors my mentors copy of Malcolm X’s autobiography into my backpack and
X’s autobiography into my backpack and
X’s autobiography into my backpack and make my way into New York City streets
make my way into New York City streets
make my way into New York City streets at that particular time I was on my way
at that particular time I was on my way
at that particular time I was on my way to volunteer at a domestic violence
to volunteer at a domestic violence
to volunteer at a domestic violence organization that was started by a woman
organization that was started by a woman
organization that was started by a woman in my neighborhood and I know that I was
in my neighborhood and I know that I was
in my neighborhood and I know that I was only 15 but at that time I already had
only 15 but at that time I already had
only 15 but at that time I already had such a keen awareness of the violence
such a keen awareness of the violence
such a keen awareness of the violence that was facing women in my neighborhood
that was facing women in my neighborhood
that was facing women in my neighborhood female genital mutilation sexual abuse
female genital mutilation sexual abuse
female genital mutilation sexual abuse domestic violence assault and with every
domestic violence assault and with every
domestic violence assault and with every step that I took I could feel the eyes
step that I took I could feel the eyes
step that I took I could feel the eyes of people glaze over my hijab but at
of people glaze over my hijab but at
of people glaze over my hijab but at that moment I was a rebel teen so my
that moment I was a rebel teen so my
that moment I was a rebel teen so my difference was a defiance but then it
difference was a defiance but then it
difference was a defiance but then it happened
happened
happened I remember feeling a tug at the back of
I remember feeling a tug at the back of
I remember feeling a tug at the back of my scarf and then feeling someone
my scarf and then feeling someone
my scarf and then feeling someone grabbed for me pull me back I remember
grabbed for me pull me back I remember
grabbed for me pull me back I remember turning around and seeing a tall
turning around and seeing a tall
turning around and seeing a tall broad-shouldered man hover over my tiny
broad-shouldered man hover over my tiny
broad-shouldered man hover over my tiny body pure hatred in his eyes he was
body pure hatred in his eyes he was
body pure hatred in his eyes he was trying to take off my hijab
trying to take off my hijab
trying to take off my hijab I remember being able to fight him off
I remember being able to fight him off
I remember being able to fight him off and then being able to escape locking
and then being able to escape locking
and then being able to escape locking myself into the bathroom of the shelter
myself into the bathroom of the shelter
myself into the bathroom of the shelter that I was on my way to and just
that I was on my way to and just
that I was on my way to and just collapsing on the floor sobbing thinking
collapsing on the floor sobbing thinking
collapsing on the floor sobbing thinking over and over again how could someone
over and over again how could someone
over and over again how could someone hate me I remember in that moment
hate me I remember in that moment
hate me I remember in that moment feeling an overwhelming sense of
feeling an overwhelming sense of
feeling an overwhelming sense of powerlessness in my body wanting so
powerlessness in my body wanting so
powerlessness in my body wanting so badly to be able to scrub the brown from
badly to be able to scrub the brown from
badly to be able to scrub the brown from my face and shed the traditions that
my face and shed the traditions that
my face and shed the traditions that once made me feel so whole my name is
once made me feel so whole my name is
once made me feel so whole my name is the Run Abdul Hameed and I am the
the Run Abdul Hameed and I am the
the Run Abdul Hameed and I am the founding president of a nonprofit
founding president of a nonprofit
founding president of a nonprofit organization called the Women’s
organization called the Women’s
organization called the Women’s Initiative for self empowerment or wise
Initiative for self empowerment or wise
Initiative for self empowerment or wise I started wise exactly a year after that
I started wise exactly a year after that
I started wise exactly a year after that incident happened and the reason why I
incident happened and the reason why I
incident happened and the reason why I started wise is because at that point of
started wise is because at that point of
started wise is because at that point of my life I really was just looking for an
my life I really was just looking for an
my life I really was just looking for an opportunity to heal and I had one skill
opportunity to heal and I had one skill
opportunity to heal and I had one skill like literally just one skill and that
like literally just one skill and that
like literally just one skill and that skill was that I had been doing shotokan
skill was that I had been doing shotokan
skill was that I had been doing shotokan karate since I was seven and so I had a
karate since I was seven and so I had a
karate since I was seven and so I had a black belt in karate yes Otacon and so I
black belt in karate yes Otacon and so I
black belt in karate yes Otacon and so I started I was like okay I’m gonna start
started I was like okay I’m gonna start
started I was like okay I’m gonna start teaching self-defense to women in my
teaching self-defense to women in my
teaching self-defense to women in my neighborhood and so I got together 13
neighborhood and so I got together 13
neighborhood and so I got together 13 young girls in my neighborhood and for
young girls in my neighborhood and for
young girls in my neighborhood and for the first time in my life over the next
the first time in my life over the next
the first time in my life over the next couple of weeks I began to actually feel
couple of weeks I began to actually feel
couple of weeks I began to actually feel safe and secure in my own voice in my
safe and secure in my own voice in my
safe and secure in my own voice in my own body for the first time in my life I
own body for the first time in my life I
own body for the first time in my life I found my quote/unquote tribe and I felt
found my quote/unquote tribe and I felt
found my quote/unquote tribe and I felt like I could actually find power and I
like I could actually find power and I
like I could actually find power and I know all of you are probably like oh
know all of you are probably like oh
know all of you are probably like oh it’s self-defense actually that amazing
it’s self-defense actually that amazing
it’s self-defense actually that amazing and yes it is so as any proper
and yes it is so as any proper
and yes it is so as any proper self-defense instructor will do I’m
self-defense instructor will do I’m
self-defense instructor will do I’m actually gonna ask you all to stand up
actually gonna ask you all to stand up
actually gonna ask you all to stand up right now I’m actually gonna get you all
right now I’m actually gonna get you all
right now I’m actually gonna get you all to practice the self-defense technique
to practice the self-defense technique
to practice the self-defense technique it’s gonna be great I promise don’t
it’s gonna be great I promise don’t
it’s gonna be great I promise don’t don’t be worried but we’re gonna
don’t be worried but we’re gonna
don’t be worried but we’re gonna practice one thing you’re actually gonna
practice one thing you’re actually gonna
practice one thing you’re actually gonna practice as a partner and but before you
practice as a partner and but before you
practice as a partner and but before you practice with your partner we’re gonna
practice with your partner we’re gonna
practice with your partner we’re gonna practice consent so we’re gonna ask
practice consent so we’re gonna ask
practice consent so we’re gonna ask you’re gonna ask your partner is it okay
you’re gonna ask your partner is it okay
you’re gonna ask your partner is it okay for me to practice the self-defense
for me to practice the self-defense
for me to practice the self-defense technique with you and if your partner
technique with you and if your partner
technique with you and if your partner gives you permission then you’re allowed
gives you permission then you’re allowed
gives you permission then you’re allowed to proceed unfortunately I don’t have a
to proceed unfortunately I don’t have a
to proceed unfortunately I don’t have a volunteer to show the technique so I’m
volunteer to show the technique so I’m
volunteer to show the technique so I’m actually gonna just play one of our
actually gonna just play one of our
actually gonna just play one of our video clips that will show you but you
video clips that will show you but you
video clips that will show you but you could practice it’ll be great a very
could practice it’ll be great a very
could practice it’ll be great a very common attack that often times women are
common attack that often times women are
common attack that often times women are faced with is that they’re grabbed right
faced with is that they’re grabbed right
faced with is that they’re grabbed right so you could be standing in the subway
so you could be standing in the subway
so you could be standing in the subway or you could be in a bar in a club and
or you could be in a bar in a club and
or you could be in a bar in a club and someone will just grab you definitely do
someone will just grab you definitely do
someone will just grab you definitely do not try to pull away because the person
not try to pull away because the person
not try to pull away because the person will only hold on tighter the most
will only hold on tighter the most
will only hold on tighter the most appropriate technique for this is you
appropriate technique for this is you
appropriate technique for this is you actually stop open your hand and you
actually stop open your hand and you
actually stop open your hand and you twist out from where the thumb is again
twist out from where the thumb is again
twist out from where the thumb is again open your hand twist out from where the
open your hand twist out from where the
open your hand twist out from where the thumb is open twist out from where the
thumb is open twist out from where the
thumb is open twist out from where the thumb is not twist out from where the
thumb is not twist out from where the
thumb is not twist out from where the thumb is open twist out from where the
thumb is open twist out from where the
thumb is open twist out from where the thumb you don’t get it it’s so easy
but say for instance the grab is
but say for instance the grab is actually very firm I actually grabbed my
actually very firm I actually grabbed my
actually very firm I actually grabbed my own hands hey you can all just take a
own hands hey you can all just take a
own hands hey you can all just take a seat
now it’s probably the first time CFA has
now it’s probably the first time CFA has witnessed math self-defense class but
witnessed math self-defense class but
witnessed math self-defense class but you see what I mean right there’s
you see what I mean right there’s
you see what I mean right there’s something about self-defense that allows
something about self-defense that allows
something about self-defense that allows you to feel like you could be in control
you to feel like you could be in control
you to feel like you could be in control of your body
of your body
of your body to feel like you can deescalate a
to feel like you can deescalate a
to feel like you can deescalate a situation if something were to happen
situation if something were to happen
situation if something were to happen and so that’s exactly what we’ve been
and so that’s exactly what we’ve been
and so that’s exactly what we’ve been doing at wise wise is the global
doing at wise wise is the global
doing at wise wise is the global movement it’s a global grassroots
movement it’s a global grassroots
movement it’s a global grassroots movement and we have been traveling
movement and we have been traveling
movement and we have been traveling across the world teaching self-defense
across the world teaching self-defense
across the world teaching self-defense and doing various empowerment trainings
and doing various empowerment trainings
and doing various empowerment trainings for women across the globe and even
for women across the globe and even
for women across the globe and even though we just started with self-defense
though we just started with self-defense
though we just started with self-defense we actually do additional trainings
we actually do additional trainings
we actually do additional trainings today because we don’t believe just in
today because we don’t believe just in
today because we don’t believe just in these band-aid solutions we don’t
these band-aid solutions we don’t
these band-aid solutions we don’t believe that it should be inherent for
believe that it should be inherent for
believe that it should be inherent for women to need to learn self-defense
women to need to learn self-defense
women to need to learn self-defense so we also train women in social
so we also train women in social
so we also train women in social entrepreneurship training financial
entrepreneurship training financial
entrepreneurship training financial literacy we build their financial
literacy we build their financial
literacy we build their financial capacity and we also do organizing
capacity and we also do organizing
capacity and we also do organizing training because we want to give women
training because we want to give women
training because we want to give women the tools they need it’s actually create
the tools they need it’s actually create
the tools they need it’s actually create systemic change to change the structures
systemic change to change the structures
systemic change to change the structures that allow for this dehumanization and
that allow for this dehumanization and
that allow for this dehumanization and this violence to be possible to begin
this violence to be possible to begin
this violence to be possible to begin with and so like I said I’ve had the
with and so like I said I’ve had the
with and so like I said I’ve had the opportunity through wise it’s actually
opportunity through wise it’s actually
opportunity through wise it’s actually travel for the past seven years across
travel for the past seven years across
travel for the past seven years across the globe training women in self-defense
the globe training women in self-defense
the globe training women in self-defense so from a refugee camp and zotti and
so from a refugee camp and zotti and
so from a refugee camp and zotti and Jordan working with Syrian girls to
Jordan working with Syrian girls to
Jordan working with Syrian girls to classrooms in Dallas Texas to cultural
classrooms in Dallas Texas to cultural
classrooms in Dallas Texas to cultural centers in Madrid I’ve heard over and
centers in Madrid I’ve heard over and
centers in Madrid I’ve heard over and over again these stories of violence but
over again these stories of violence but
over again these stories of violence but I’ve also had the opportunity to use
I’ve also had the opportunity to use
I’ve also had the opportunity to use this work and work with an incredible
this work and work with an incredible
this work and work with an incredible team to actually be able to reach many
team to actually be able to reach many
team to actually be able to reach many thousands of women around the world and
thousands of women around the world and
thousands of women around the world and conduct a lot of workshops and gave
conduct a lot of workshops and gave
conduct a lot of workshops and gave visibility for this work but you know
visibility for this work but you know
visibility for this work but you know there’s not much that I need to tell you
there’s not much that I need to tell you
there’s not much that I need to tell you about this violence I mean I could
about this violence I mean I could
about this violence I mean I could guarantee that every single woman in
guarantee that every single woman in
guarantee that every single woman in this room knows what I’m talking about
this room knows what I’m talking about
this room knows what I’m talking about you know that moment when you’re coming
you know that moment when you’re coming
you know that moment when you’re coming home late at night after a long day and
home late at night after a long day and
home late at night after a long day and you hear footsteps walking behind you
you hear footsteps walking behind you
you hear footsteps walking behind you and you’re wondering is someone
and you’re wondering is someone
and you’re wondering is someone following me should I walk faster will
following me should I walk faster will
following me should I walk faster will he realize should I grab my keys in my
he realize should I grab my keys in my
he realize should I grab my keys in my hands you know those words that you sent
hands you know those words that you sent
hands you know those words that you sent to your friends text me when you get
to your friends text me when you get
to your friends text me when you get home and you mean it because you really
home and you mean it because you really
home and you mean it because you really want to make sure that Thursday’s you
want to make sure that Thursday’s you
want to make sure that Thursday’s you wonder
wonder
wonder people will believe you if they if you
people will believe you if they if you
people will believe you if they if you tell them certain stories in meetings
tell them certain stories in meetings
tell them certain stories in meetings you’re wondering if you’re talking too
you’re wondering if you’re talking too
you’re wondering if you’re talking too much or too little it permeates almost
much or too little it permeates almost
much or too little it permeates almost every single aspect of our lives
every single aspect of our lives
every single aspect of our lives socially academically professionally
socially academically professionally
socially academically professionally this violence is so so real but the
this violence is so so real but the
this violence is so so real but the unfortunate reality is that this
unfortunate reality is that this
unfortunate reality is that this violence and this powerlessness is not a
violence and this powerlessness is not a
violence and this powerlessness is not a part of our history as women it’s just
part of our history as women it’s just
part of our history as women it’s just not I mean if you think about the civil
not I mean if you think about the civil
not I mean if you think about the civil rights movement in the United States it
rights movement in the United States it
rights movement in the United States it was a black woman who organizer who
was a black woman who organizer who
was a black woman who organizer who actually allowed and sparked the
actually allowed and sparked the
actually allowed and sparked the Montgomery bus boycotts that was Rosa
Montgomery bus boycotts that was Rosa
Montgomery bus boycotts that was Rosa Parks right do you guys remember that
Parks right do you guys remember that
Parks right do you guys remember that yes it was a woman right
yes it was a woman right
yes it was a woman right it was Dolores Huerta who sparked the
it was Dolores Huerta who sparked the
it was Dolores Huerta who sparked the farmworkers movement right she inspired
farmworkers movement right she inspired
farmworkers movement right she inspired 17 million people to actually boycott
17 million people to actually boycott
17 million people to actually boycott unjust farm working practices it was
unjust farm working practices it was
unjust farm working practices it was Sylvia Rivera a trans woman who sparked
Sylvia Rivera a trans woman who sparked
Sylvia Rivera a trans woman who sparked the Stonewall riots and inspired the
the Stonewall riots and inspired the
the Stonewall riots and inspired the LGBTQ movement as we know it today as
LGBTQ movement as we know it today as
LGBTQ movement as we know it today as mama who’s an Egyptian woman who sparked
mama who’s an Egyptian woman who sparked
mama who’s an Egyptian woman who sparked the Egyptian revolution and Fatima
the Egyptian revolution and Fatima
the Egyptian revolution and Fatima al-hariri a North African Muslim woman
al-hariri a North African Muslim woman
al-hariri a North African Muslim woman who founded the first University so
who founded the first University so
who founded the first University so you’re welcome Middlebury and and of
you’re welcome Middlebury and and of
you’re welcome Middlebury and and of course I cannot talk about powerful
course I cannot talk about powerful
course I cannot talk about powerful women without mentioning Beyonce because
women without mentioning Beyonce because
women without mentioning Beyonce because there is not one place in this world
there is not one place in this world
there is not one place in this world where Beyonce is not relevant and she’s
where Beyonce is not relevant and she’s
where Beyonce is not relevant and she’s definitely a revolutionary woman so I
definitely a revolutionary woman so I
definitely a revolutionary woman so I just think that if we think about our
just think that if we think about our
just think that if we think about our history right as women there is so much
history right as women there is so much
history right as women there is so much powerfulness
powerfulness
powerfulness and we constantly have to remember that
and we constantly have to remember that
and we constantly have to remember that even in the face of this demon
even in the face of this demon
even in the face of this demon dehumanization and the reality is we
dehumanization and the reality is we
dehumanization and the reality is we don’t have to look at these famous women
don’t have to look at these famous women
don’t have to look at these famous women to recognize the power of the women
to recognize the power of the women
to recognize the power of the women ordinary woman and the women in our
ordinary woman and the women in our
ordinary woman and the women in our lives I mean I want you all to take a
lives I mean I want you all to take a
lives I mean I want you all to take a moment to think about the women in your
moment to think about the women in your
moment to think about the women in your lives think about the amount of power
lives think about the amount of power
lives think about the amount of power and the impact that they’ve had on each
and the impact that they’ve had on each
and the impact that they’ve had on each and every one of you through my work
and every one of you through my work
and every one of you through my work I’ve had the extraordinary privilege to
I’ve had the extraordinary privilege to
I’ve had the extraordinary privilege to meet dozens hundreds of women across the
meet dozens hundreds of women across the
meet dozens hundreds of women across the world from Syrian girl Syrian girls in
world from Syrian girl Syrian girls in
world from Syrian girl Syrian girls in refugee camps who are raising awareness
refugee camps who are raising awareness
refugee camps who are raising awareness about gender-based violence that they’re
about gender-based violence that they’re
about gender-based violence that they’re experiencing in zotti
experiencing in zotti
experiencing in zotti to women in Dallas who I just mentioned
to women in Dallas who I just mentioned
to women in Dallas who I just mentioned who are helping people relocate in the
who are helping people relocate in the
who are helping people relocate in the United States young girls despite
United States young girls despite
United States young girls despite the fact that they’re facing these forms
the fact that they’re facing these forms
the fact that they’re facing these forms of violence and they’re constantly
of violence and they’re constantly
of violence and they’re constantly showing me the true man the true meaning
showing me the true man the true meaning
showing me the true man the true meaning of resilience and resistance and so
of resilience and resistance and so
of resilience and resistance and so you’re probably like okay Rana why are
you’re probably like okay Rana why are
you’re probably like okay Rana why are you telling us this we all know that
you telling us this we all know that
you telling us this we all know that there’s a problem with gender-based
there’s a problem with gender-based
there’s a problem with gender-based violence we’ve been reading the news
violence we’ve been reading the news
violence we’ve been reading the news well the reason why is because I really
well the reason why is because I really
well the reason why is because I really want to build the sense of urgency you
want to build the sense of urgency you
want to build the sense of urgency you know last year I remember sitting on my
know last year I remember sitting on my
know last year I remember sitting on my couch Dave Chappelle style watching the
couch Dave Chappelle style watching the
couch Dave Chappelle style watching the election and I remember receiving a text
election and I remember receiving a text
election and I remember receiving a text message at 3:00 a.m. when we finally
message at 3:00 a.m. when we finally
message at 3:00 a.m. when we finally kind of figured out what the outcome
kind of figured out what the outcome
kind of figured out what the outcome would be from a young woman who was like
would be from a young woman who was like
would be from a young woman who was like Rana when’s your next self-defense class
Rana when’s your next self-defense class
Rana when’s your next self-defense class that was her automatic reaction the
that was her automatic reaction the
that was her automatic reaction the sense of insecurity that morning I woke
sense of insecurity that morning I woke
sense of insecurity that morning I woke up to a barrage of text messages for my
up to a barrage of text messages for my
up to a barrage of text messages for my female friends female Muslim friends
female friends female Muslim friends
female friends female Muslim friends there were negotiating whether or not
there were negotiating whether or not
there were negotiating whether or not they should leave their homes that
they should leave their homes that
they should leave their homes that morning because they felt so afraid you
morning because they felt so afraid you
morning because they felt so afraid you know and this past year there’s been a
know and this past year there’s been a
know and this past year there’s been a barrage of headlines really showing the
barrage of headlines really showing the
barrage of headlines really showing the unfortunate reality that women are
unfortunate reality that women are
unfortunate reality that women are facing I mean this year has been the
facing I mean this year has been the
facing I mean this year has been the deadliest year for trans women on record
deadliest year for trans women on record
deadliest year for trans women on record in the United States women who are
in the United States women who are
in the United States women who are undocumented are calling police for help
undocumented are calling police for help
undocumented are calling police for help only to be deported this is the reality
only to be deported this is the reality
only to be deported this is the reality that we’re living in there is an
that we’re living in there is an
that we’re living in there is an increase in hate crimes facing women
increase in hate crimes facing women
increase in hate crimes facing women Muslim women so you’re seeing gender –
Muslim women so you’re seeing gender –
Muslim women so you’re seeing gender – sama phobia – you new to a new rate now
sama phobia – you new to a new rate now
sama phobia – you new to a new rate now that you have discovered the urgency
that you have discovered the urgency
that you have discovered the urgency which I hope you’ve discovered now I’m
which I hope you’ve discovered now I’m
which I hope you’ve discovered now I’m gonna try to tell you a little bit about
gonna try to tell you a little bit about
gonna try to tell you a little bit about how you can start to fight back and so
how you can start to fight back and so
how you can start to fight back and so the first thing and actually falls
the first thing and actually falls
the first thing and actually falls within the model for change for wise
within the model for change for wise
within the model for change for wise it’s actually to discover your own power
it’s actually to discover your own power
it’s actually to discover your own power I want you also fall in love with
I want you also fall in love with
I want you also fall in love with yourself I want you to be able to block
yourself I want you to be able to block
yourself I want you to be able to block out the messaging that society tells us
out the messaging that society tells us
out the messaging that society tells us about who is powerful I mean think about
about who is powerful I mean think about
about who is powerful I mean think about it what is the image that we get when we
it what is the image that we get when we
it what is the image that we get when we think of power typically we think of a
think of power typically we think of a
think of power typically we think of a man right we think of a white man we
man right we think of a white man we
man right we think of a white man we think of someone who graduated from an
think of someone who graduated from an
think of someone who graduated from an elite institution kind of like this one
elite institution kind of like this one
elite institution kind of like this one someone with a lot of wealth
someone with a lot of wealth
someone with a lot of wealth someone who’s straight who’s able-bodied
someone who’s straight who’s able-bodied
someone who’s straight who’s able-bodied but that’s not true that’s not
but that’s not true that’s not
but that’s not true that’s not necessarily true I’m five foot one I’m a
necessarily true I’m five foot one I’m a
necessarily true I’m five foot one I’m a brown woman from Queens with a black
brown woman from Queens with a black
brown woman from Queens with a black belt in karate
belt in karate
belt in karate right and I feel powerful and I want
right and I feel powerful and I want
right and I feel powerful and I want every single woman in the world to be
every single woman in the world to be
every single woman in the world to be able to feel that power in her own body
able to feel that power in her own body
able to feel that power in her own body and you could do that in many ways
and you could do that in many ways
and you could do that in many ways so the first way obviously I’m gonna
so the first way obviously I’m gonna
so the first way obviously I’m gonna tell you is you can take a self-defense
tell you is you can take a self-defense
tell you is you can take a self-defense class because really it does reorient
class because really it does reorient
class because really it does reorient your expression and your relationship
your expression and your relationship
your expression and your relationship with your body but also finding spaces
with your body but also finding spaces
with your body but also finding spaces that affirm you finding people who
that affirm you finding people who
that affirm you finding people who affirm your existence and validate your
affirm your existence and validate your
affirm your existence and validate your dreams and push you forward that is
dreams and push you forward that is
dreams and push you forward that is super important the second thing after
super important the second thing after
super important the second thing after you’ve done that which obviously is so
you’ve done that which obviously is so
you’ve done that which obviously is so easy right after you’ve done that I
easy right after you’ve done that I
easy right after you’ve done that I really want you all to think about
really want you all to think about
really want you all to think about building collective power when I started
building collective power when I started
building collective power when I started wise I was on my own like I said but I
wise I was on my own like I said but I
wise I was on my own like I said but I wouldn’t be able to do the work that I
wouldn’t be able to do the work that I
wouldn’t be able to do the work that I do today if it wasn’t for my team at
do today if it wasn’t for my team at
do today if it wasn’t for my team at wise and it was because I was able to
wise and it was because I was able to
wise and it was because I was able to extend the power that I found within
extend the power that I found within
extend the power that I found within myself to other women around me that
myself to other women around me that
myself to other women around me that we’ve been able to train women to train
we’ve been able to train women to train
we’ve been able to train women to train other women to train other women to find
other women to train other women to find
other women to train other women to find their voices as well and what’s really
their voices as well and what’s really
their voices as well and what’s really important about building collective
important about building collective
important about building collective power is that we shouldn’t even be
power is that we shouldn’t even be
power is that we shouldn’t even be teaching self-defense to begin with I
teaching self-defense to begin with I
teaching self-defense to begin with I want y’all to help me never have to
want y’all to help me never have to
want y’all to help me never have to teach a self-defense class again because
teach a self-defense class again because
teach a self-defense class again because the reason why I teach self-defense is
the reason why I teach self-defense is
the reason why I teach self-defense is because there’s so much racism and
because there’s so much racism and
because there’s so much racism and sexism and homophobia and transphobia
sexism and homophobia and transphobia
sexism and homophobia and transphobia and anti-blackness I want us to stand
and anti-blackness I want us to stand
and anti-blackness I want us to stand with indigenous people I want us to be
with indigenous people I want us to be
with indigenous people I want us to be able to uplift the voices of the most
able to uplift the voices of the most
able to uplift the voices of the most marginalized people in our societies so
marginalized people in our societies so
marginalized people in our societies so that these structures that really are
that these structures that really are
that these structures that really are contributing to this oppression can stop
contributing to this oppression can stop
contributing to this oppression can stop right but they won’t stop unless we do
right but they won’t stop unless we do
right but they won’t stop unless we do something about it
something about it
something about it and you’re probably like okay this is a
and you’re probably like okay this is a
and you’re probably like okay this is a really cool idea but I have a lot of
really cool idea but I have a lot of
really cool idea but I have a lot of readings and I’m a student at Middlebury
readings and I’m a student at Middlebury
readings and I’m a student at Middlebury College so ain’t nobody got time but
College so ain’t nobody got time but
College so ain’t nobody got time but listen it is it’s so important like all
listen it is it’s so important like all
listen it is it’s so important like all of you can do something all of you can
of you can do something all of you can
of you can do something all of you can start somewhere and it actually makes a
start somewhere and it actually makes a
start somewhere and it actually makes a difference and the reason why I’ll show
difference and the reason why I’ll show
difference and the reason why I’ll show you right now how it makes a difference
you right now how it makes a difference
you right now how it makes a difference I mean think about this past week who
I mean think about this past week who
I mean think about this past week who was following the election yes right I
was following the election yes right I
was following the election yes right I mean we elected the first trans woman
mean we elected the first trans woman
mean we elected the first trans woman the that the United States has ever had
the that the United States has ever had
the that the United States has ever had that’s amazing we elected the first
that’s amazing we elected the first
that’s amazing we elected the first Muslim woman to City Council in
Muslim woman to City Council in
Muslim woman to City Council in Cambridge Massachusetts we elected to
Cambridge Massachusetts we elected to
Cambridge Massachusetts we elected to Latino women of the first Asian women in
Latino women of the first Asian women in
Latino women of the first Asian women in Pennsylvania like all these outcomes and
Pennsylvania like all these outcomes and
Pennsylvania like all these outcomes and was because women finally understood
was because women finally understood
was because women finally understood that we deserve a seat it is our right
that we deserve a seat it is our right
that we deserve a seat it is our right to fundamentally be safe and fundamental
to fundamentally be safe and fundamental
to fundamentally be safe and fundamental it is our fundamental right
it is our fundamental right
it is our fundamental right have power and access to policy spaces
have power and access to policy spaces
have power and access to policy spaces that will have impact on our lives and
that will have impact on our lives and
that will have impact on our lives and then in addition to that how many of you
then in addition to that how many of you
then in addition to that how many of you went to the women’s March
went to the women’s March
went to the women’s March can I see yes so the women’s March right
can I see yes so the women’s March right
can I see yes so the women’s March right for women four million people across the
for women four million people across the
for women four million people across the world the hashtag me to campaign twelve
world the hashtag me to campaign twelve
world the hashtag me to campaign twelve million impressions right
million impressions right
million impressions right we saw the justice for black women March
we saw the justice for black women March
we saw the justice for black women March hundreds of thousands of women in DC
hundreds of thousands of women in DC
hundreds of thousands of women in DC we’re seeing all these undocumented
we’re seeing all these undocumented
we’re seeing all these undocumented women really being able to protect their
women really being able to protect their
women really being able to protect their communities by creating sanctuary spaces
communities by creating sanctuary spaces
communities by creating sanctuary spaces and so it is possible you got this you
and so it is possible you got this you
and so it is possible you got this you can do this because if you understand
can do this because if you understand
can do this because if you understand you got this then we could all
you got this then we could all
you got this then we could all understand that we got this and it’s not
understand that we got this and it’s not
understand that we got this and it’s not unless each and every one of you join
unless each and every one of you join
unless each and every one of you join this joins this movement to create real
this joins this movement to create real
this joins this movement to create real change for women that were able we’re
change for women that were able we’re
change for women that were able we’re going to be able to create a world where
going to be able to create a world where
going to be able to create a world where every single woman feels secure safe
every single woman feels secure safe
every single woman feels secure safe able to find her voice because again
able to find her voice because again
able to find her voice because again it’s our fundamental right to be able to
it’s our fundamental right to be able to
it’s our fundamental right to be able to feel safe in our bodies and so I ask you
feel safe in our bodies and so I ask you
feel safe in our bodies and so I ask you and urge you today to join our movement
and urge you today to join our movement
and urge you today to join our movement to fight against these various forms of
to fight against these various forms of
to fight against these various forms of violence that face women in our world
violence that face women in our world
violence that face women in our world today thank you so much
today thank you so much
today thank you so much [Applause]
”
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