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Gray Matters | Ko Rej | TEDxMiriamCollege | Ko Rej | TEDxMiriamCollege


[Music]

[Music] it’s great even a corner if so what

it’s great even a corner if so what

it’s great even a corner if so what differs it from other corners that are

differs it from other corners that are

differs it from other corners that are not black or white what associations do

not black or white what associations do

not black or white what associations do we have regarding the hunter green if we

we have regarding the hunter green if we

we have regarding the hunter green if we associate three as symbolizing

morality and breaking that they gotta

morality and breaking that they gotta meet between black and white what other

meet between black and white what other

meet between black and white what other colors do more just distance it do more

colors do more just distance it do more

colors do more just distance it do more justice in representing the space of

justice in representing the space of

justice in representing the space of this gray area and I think you know

this gray area and I think you know

this gray area and I think you know where I’m heading with the slag yes I’m

where I’m heading with the slag yes I’m

where I’m heading with the slag yes I’m about to give you a glimpse of my mind a

about to give you a glimpse of my mind a

about to give you a glimpse of my mind a mind cradle so my understanding of a

mind cradle so my understanding of a

mind cradle so my understanding of a world overall that is colorful but is

world overall that is colorful but is

world overall that is colorful but is challenged by another full of dullness

challenged by another full of dullness

challenged by another full of dullness a world that is diverts but this silence

a world that is diverts but this silence

a world that is diverts but this silence where another a wonderful stereotypes

where another a wonderful stereotypes

where another a wonderful stereotypes and notions

and notions

and notions yes I am I’m about to you are about to

yes I am I’m about to you are about to

yes I am I’m about to you are about to enter a place you’re told you’re not

enter a place you’re told you’re not

enter a place you’re told you’re not supposed to explore and yes you’re about

supposed to explore and yes you’re about

supposed to explore and yes you’re about to listen to a story that might be quite

to listen to a story that might be quite

to listen to a story that might be quite different from yours but this story does

different from yours but this story does

different from yours but this story does not mean it does not it is not valid

not mean it does not it is not valid

not mean it does not it is not valid then would you say yes to learning what

then would you say yes to learning what

then would you say yes to learning what lies beyond the stereotypical man in

lies beyond the stereotypical man in

lies beyond the stereotypical man in stereotypical moment and listening to my

stereotypical moment and listening to my

stereotypical moment and listening to my gendered experiences if so then I must

gendered experiences if so then I must

gendered experiences if so then I must carry on but before anything I am NOT an

carry on but before anything I am NOT an

carry on but before anything I am NOT an expert on gender my knowledge of the

expert on gender my knowledge of the

expert on gender my knowledge of the subject matter is going limited however

subject matter is going limited however

subject matter is going limited however the good news is I live in I wake up

the good news is I live in I wake up

the good news is I live in I wake up every morning

every morning

every morning somehow dreading to go to public places

somehow dreading to go to public places

somehow dreading to go to public places well some stare at me with a puzzled

well some stare at me with a puzzled

well some stare at me with a puzzled look wondering perhaps if I am a man a

look wondering perhaps if I am a man a

look wondering perhaps if I am a man a butch lesbian where the just an

butch lesbian where the just an

butch lesbian where the just an androgynous looking fellow others call

androgynous looking fellow others call

androgynous looking fellow others call me sir at first then within realized

me sir at first then within realized

me sir at first then within realized that I might not be one the easterly

that I might not be one the easterly

that I might not be one the easterly retracted through the back there was a

retracted through the back there was a

retracted through the back there was a time I remember I I it was mine

time I remember I I it was mine

time I remember I I it was mine story and that this year was like serve

story and that this year was like serve

story and that this year was like serve an appointment mode funny but awfully I

also recall during a morning walk

also recall during a morning walk a security guard would see good morning

a security guard would see good morning

a security guard would see good morning by the board sir good morning sir two

by the board sir good morning sir two

by the board sir good morning sir two people in front of me in the light when

people in front of me in the light when

people in front of me in the light when it was my third she was not so short so

it was my third she was not so short so

it was my third she was not so short so she just said good morning book okay but

she just said good morning book okay but

she just said good morning book okay but still awful

still awful

still awful oh are you also now produced what am i

oh are you also now produced what am i

oh are you also now produced what am i well I’m a transgender man trans man the

well I’m a transgender man trans man the

well I’m a transgender man trans man the simple explanation is that I was born

simple explanation is that I was born

simple explanation is that I was born female I was raised to be a guru I

female I was raised to be a guru I

female I was raised to be a guru I attended an exclusive her olga exclusive

attended an exclusive her olga exclusive

attended an exclusive her olga exclusive her girls school for 13 years but ever

her girls school for 13 years but ever

her girls school for 13 years but ever since I could remember I would dream of

since I could remember I would dream of

since I could remember I would dream of myself as a boring a man who would

myself as a boring a man who would

myself as a boring a man who would someday love a woman be the person who I

someday love a woman be the person who I

someday love a woman be the person who I want to be and not just be who others

want to be and not just be who others

want to be and not just be who others expecting to me I hope from the very

expecting to me I hope from the very

expecting to me I hope from the very moment that I had a grasp of this room

moment that I had a grasp of this room

moment that I had a grasp of this room but I I hope I am and hoping that others

but I I hope I am and hoping that others

but I I hope I am and hoping that others could also see me as a man I constantly

could also see me as a man I constantly

could also see me as a man I constantly wish that when I come out people and say

wish that when I come out people and say

wish that when I come out people and say and trans or simply I’m a man they could

and trans or simply I’m a man they could

and trans or simply I’m a man they could take me seriously and not your

take me seriously and not your

take me seriously and not your spiritually

spiritually

spiritually some stories of trends are are similar

some stories of trends are are similar

some stories of trends are are similar to the neutral

to the neutral

to the neutral not trapped in a woman’s body or a woman

not trapped in a woman’s body or a woman

not trapped in a woman’s body or a woman trapped in a man’s body but this is not

trapped in a man’s body but this is not

trapped in a man’s body but this is not the only narrative of tracks transgender

the only narrative of tracks transgender

the only narrative of tracks transgender people Nexus gender individuals we do

people Nexus gender individuals we do

people Nexus gender individuals we do have our unique stories and we have our

have our unique stories and we have our

have our unique stories and we have our own narratives envisioning a strats

own narratives envisioning a strats

own narratives envisioning a strats London

London

London you may be wondering at this point if

you may be wondering at this point if

you may be wondering at this point if I’m trans if I am a man why do I still

I’m trans if I am a man why do I still

I’m trans if I am a man why do I still look in somewhere they mainly sound like

look in somewhere they mainly sound like

look in somewhere they mainly sound like a woman who dresses just like a

a woman who dresses just like a

a woman who dresses just like a stereotypical man this is not either me

stereotypical man this is not either me

stereotypical man this is not either me I met someone who I thought was

I met someone who I thought was

I met someone who I thought was considerate enough understand because

considerate enough understand because

considerate enough understand because she is part of the LGBT community so I

she is part of the LGBT community so I

she is part of the LGBT community so I said to her and tracks and she goes like

said to her and tracks and she goes like

said to her and tracks and she goes like what then you take hormones and I said

what then you take hormones and I said

what then you take hormones and I said no because it’s not requirement and just

no because it’s not requirement and just

no because it’s not requirement and just stared at me looked at me and said no

stared at me looked at me and said no

stared at me looked at me and said no because if you’re trans then you take

because if you’re trans then you take

because if you’re trans then you take forward and hormones and then later on

forward and hormones and then later on

forward and hormones and then later on after surgery I was taken aback I

after surgery I was taken aback I

after surgery I was taken aback I couldn’t I couldn’t I don’t know what to

couldn’t I couldn’t I don’t know what to

couldn’t I couldn’t I don’t know what to say but as I reply I said you know

say but as I reply I said you know

say but as I reply I said you know coming out the strength is not just

coming out the strength is not just

coming out the strength is not just about medical transitioning you have

about medical transitioning you have

about medical transitioning you have what people social transitioning

what people social transitioning

what people social transitioning just uh convinced as if I was dying

just uh convinced as if I was dying

just uh convinced as if I was dying and thank God we never saw each other

and thank God we never saw each other

and thank God we never saw each other again

again

again so again if you didn’t get that I is

so again if you didn’t get that I is

so again if you didn’t get that I is socially transistor i social in transit

socially transistor i social in transit

socially transistor i social in transit fun but this does not make me less of a

fun but this does not make me less of a

fun but this does not make me less of a trans or even less of a man

generous complex it’s not my people

generous complex it’s not my people avoid it yes I have the reason why

avoid it yes I have the reason why

avoid it yes I have the reason why people this spicy it’s not what makes

people this spicy it’s not what makes

people this spicy it’s not what makes people freak out when they talk about it

people freak out when they talk about it

people freak out when they talk about it is that what priests they want to toast

is that what priests they want to toast

is that what priests they want to toast when they hear it it’s not my people

when they hear it it’s not my people

when they hear it it’s not my people simplified this very complex discussion

simplified this very complex discussion

simplified this very complex discussion is to tune into concepts man Edward and

is to tune into concepts man Edward and

is to tune into concepts man Edward and why are you these two concepts are

why are you these two concepts are

why are you these two concepts are further simplified by describing things

further simplified by describing things

further simplified by describing things through the other preferences

through the other preferences

through the other preferences educational jobs for years tours song

educational jobs for years tours song

educational jobs for years tours song voice bags jewelry watches background of

voice bags jewelry watches background of

voice bags jewelry watches background of special products attitudes out of

special products attitudes out of

special products attitudes out of behavior life choices words habits

behavior life choices words habits

behavior life choices words habits gestures mannerisms etiquette etc to man

gestures mannerisms etiquette etc to man

gestures mannerisms etiquette etc to man and the woman thus creating a strong in

and the woman thus creating a strong in

and the woman thus creating a strong in seemingly factual neutrons of a man in

seemingly factual neutrons of a man in

seemingly factual neutrons of a man in the morning when I think of the strength

the morning when I think of the strength

the morning when I think of the strength I was strong will to break these

I was strong will to break these

I was strong will to break these stereotypes I wanted I wanted people to

stereotypes I wanted I wanted people to

stereotypes I wanted I wanted people to broaden the response of man and woman so

broaden the response of man and woman so

broaden the response of man and woman so far do you mean this is the reason why I

far do you mean this is the reason why I

far do you mean this is the reason why I do not consider immediately

do not consider immediately

do not consider immediately transitioning perhaps right now

transitioning perhaps right now

transitioning perhaps right now I said this bathroom is way beyond me

I said this bathroom is way beyond me

I said this bathroom is way beyond me and my struggle spells over the

and my struggle spells over the

and my struggle spells over the struggles of others who deep part of a

struggles of others who deep part of a

struggles of others who deep part of a society which is not accepting of those

society which is not accepting of those

society which is not accepting of those who live beyond the stereotypical man in

who live beyond the stereotypical man in

who live beyond the stereotypical man in stereotypical woman I was thinking

I was thinking if I lived in then I give

I was thinking if I lived in then I give it to be interested a stereotypical man

it to be interested a stereotypical man

it to be interested a stereotypical man I want others to see that there are

I want others to see that there are

I want others to see that there are different ways of being New York that

different ways of being New York that

different ways of being New York that you could be both masculine and feminine

you could be both masculine and feminine

you could be both masculine and feminine at the same time where you to know it’s

at the same time where you to know it’s

at the same time where you to know it’s that they’re comfortable with going to

that they’re comfortable with going to

that they’re comfortable with going to places without the threat that people

places without the threat that people

places without the threat that people might call your fate but it is possible

might call your fate but it is possible

might call your fate but it is possible for a man to be born female that it is

for a man to be born female that it is

for a man to be born female that it is possible for a woman to be born me that

possible for a woman to be born me that

possible for a woman to be born me that a man can love another man and the woman

a man can love another man and the woman

a man can love another man and the woman for another woman that there are those

for another woman that there are those

for another woman that there are those who don’t identify as man or woman but

who don’t identify as man or woman but

who don’t identify as man or woman but there are those who are attracted to

there are those who are attracted to

there are those who are attracted to people regardless of sex and gender the

people regardless of sex and gender the

people regardless of sex and gender the people have different preferences and

people have different preferences and

people have different preferences and choices that transgender are not

choices that transgender are not

choices that transgender are not delusional all sexuals are not sexual

delusional all sexuals are not sexual

delusional all sexuals are not sexual deviants in that gender is stupid and

deviants in that gender is stupid and

deviants in that gender is stupid and not cast in stone

but as I live my life as trans I was

but as I live my life as trans I was only exposed to a dilemma a social

only exposed to a dilemma a social

only exposed to a dilemma a social reality a battle between personal and

reality a battle between personal and

reality a battle between personal and societal I wanted people to understand

societal I wanted people to understand

societal I wanted people to understand that in spite of my female features I am

that in spite of my female features I am

that in spite of my female features I am still a man in my workplace for instance

still a man in my workplace for instance

still a man in my workplace for instance I have this constant struggle of moving

I have this constant struggle of moving

I have this constant struggle of moving to others the high demand and I prefer

to others the high demand and I prefer

to others the high demand and I prefer male pronouns titles end but influence

male pronouns titles end but influence

male pronouns titles end but influence on who buried these women I succumbed to

on who buried these women I succumbed to

on who buried these women I succumbed to stereotypes and gender biases to belong

stereotypes and gender biases to belong

stereotypes and gender biases to belong and to show that hey I manage do you

and to show that hey I manage do you

and to show that hey I manage do you know it’s often very variable in order

know it’s often very variable in order

know it’s often very variable in order to achieve personal comment for myself I

to achieve personal comment for myself I

to achieve personal comment for myself I had to join the bandwagon of their brand

had to join the bandwagon of their brand

had to join the bandwagon of their brand of masculinity and that I had to avoid

of masculinity and that I had to avoid

of masculinity and that I had to avoid showing any signs of weakness and

showing any signs of weakness and

showing any signs of weakness and feminine

it’s offered and it feels like I

it’s offered and it feels like I betrayed myself and all of that I fight

betrayed myself and all of that I fight

betrayed myself and all of that I fight for it however as I become conscious

for it however as I become conscious

for it however as I become conscious again and regain my sanity I try to

again and regain my sanity I try to

again and regain my sanity I try to resist the closure and system I try to

resist the closure and system I try to

resist the closure and system I try to educate them and let them understand

educate them and let them understand

educate them and let them understand that men can be feminine women are not

that men can be feminine women are not

that men can be feminine women are not second-class beings femininity is not

second-class beings femininity is not

second-class beings femininity is not alcohol to being weak feminine men are

alcohol to being weak feminine men are

alcohol to being weak feminine men are not always gays and lesbians are not

not always gays and lesbians are not

not always gays and lesbians are not always masculine or have fur cares

always masculine or have fur cares

always masculine or have fur cares that we should not make fun of days

that we should not make fun of days

that we should not make fun of days because they too are humans and what

because they too are humans and what

because they too are humans and what makes them less over you our viewers if

makes them less over you our viewers if

makes them less over you our viewers if they like rights but the struggle is

they like rights but the struggle is

they like rights but the struggle is real

trying to solve the problem of how to

trying to solve the problem of how to not not be the penis while avoiding

not not be the penis while avoiding

not not be the penis while avoiding alienation is rejection from others I am

alienation is rejection from others I am

alienation is rejection from others I am successful at diets but at some points I

successful at diets but at some points I

successful at diets but at some points I don’t feel I realize you can’t expect

don’t feel I realize you can’t expect

don’t feel I realize you can’t expect someone who has been for to see the

someone who has been for to see the

someone who has been for to see the world as a world only for male born men

world as a world only for male born men

world as a world only for male born men and female born female who follow

and female born female who follow

and female born female who follow genders gender norms to be able to

genders gender norms to be able to

genders gender norms to be able to understand and grasp this notions the

understand and grasp this notions the

understand and grasp this notions the strange notions of gender it needs

strange notions of gender it needs

strange notions of gender it needs constant relearning of things that they

constant relearning of things that they

constant relearning of things that they are so familiar with that they think it

are so familiar with that they think it

are so familiar with that they think it is law and cast in stone the challenge

is law and cast in stone the challenge

is law and cast in stone the challenge is to keep on trying great though

is to keep on trying great though

is to keep on trying great though difficult it’s always worth the try

difficult it’s always worth the try

difficult it’s always worth the try isn’t it

isn’t it

isn’t it frustrating sometimes but rewarding with

frustrating sometimes but rewarding with

frustrating sometimes but rewarding with some changes on the other hand I also

some changes on the other hand I also

some changes on the other hand I also realized it’s not just unloaded and live

realized it’s not just unloaded and live

realized it’s not just unloaded and live their efforts to break stereotypes and

their efforts to break stereotypes and

their efforts to break stereotypes and teach them and these are others that

teach them and these are others that

teach them and these are others that gender is not black boy it’s always a

gender is not black boy it’s always a

gender is not black boy it’s always a two-way street you on the other hand yes

two-way street you on the other hand yes

two-way street you on the other hand yes you those who think gender is simple

you those who think gender is simple

you those who think gender is simple gender is a done deal and that gender

gender is a done deal and that gender

gender is a done deal and that gender issues are not as important as salary

issues are not as important as salary

issues are not as important as salary issues health concerns education peace

issues health concerns education peace

issues health concerns education peace security economic development etc who

security economic development etc who

security economic development etc who also share the burden of making this

also share the burden of making this

also share the burden of making this world a society for all humankind a

world a society for all humankind a

world a society for all humankind a society where ever you make whoever you

society where ever you make whoever you

society where ever you make whoever you may be

may be

may be and whoever you may love people are not

and whoever you may love people are not

and whoever you may love people are not box to certain expectations and notions

box to certain expectations and notions

box to certain expectations and notions of how to live in life and how to be

of how to live in life and how to be

of how to live in life and how to be themselves as we help you understand our

themselves as we help you understand our

themselves as we help you understand our struggle we also expect you to do turn

struggle we also expect you to do turn

struggle we also expect you to do turn share and reconsider your biases which

share and reconsider your biases which

share and reconsider your biases which manifest in discrimination and unequal

manifest in discrimination and unequal

manifest in discrimination and unequal treatment of others we were thought that

treatment of others we were thought that

treatment of others we were thought that we were born either male or female which

we were born either male or female which

we were born either male or female which automatically makes us man or woman but

automatically makes us man or woman but

automatically makes us man or woman but look if these seemingly factual no

look if these seemingly factual no

look if these seemingly factual no tracks are not always the piece

tracks are not always the piece

tracks are not always the piece what if there goes for both female and

what if there goes for both female and

what if there goes for both female and male what is there those for female but

male what is there those for female but

male what is there those for female but girl off being a man what a woman falls

girl off being a man what a woman falls

girl off being a man what a woman falls in love with the transgender woman what

in love with the transgender woman what

in love with the transgender woman what if for whatever boy loves does but is

if for whatever boy loves does but is

if for whatever boy loves does but is not gay

not gay

not gay what if a person is neither man nor

what if a person is neither man nor

what if a person is neither man nor woman these are not what if a new word

woman these are not what if a new word

woman these are not what if a new word organic counterfactual these are

organic counterfactual these are

organic counterfactual these are realities realities we cannot discredit

realities realities we cannot discredit

realities realities we cannot discredit just because we don’t understand them we

just because we don’t understand them we

just because we don’t understand them we don’t experience them or simply because

don’t experience them or simply because

don’t experience them or simply because we are taught not to entertain such

we are taught not to entertain such

we are taught not to entertain such thinking if we are truly truly looking

thinking if we are truly truly looking

thinking if we are truly truly looking at what lies beyond black and white then

at what lies beyond black and white then

at what lies beyond black and white then we should be looking at a wide array of

we should be looking at a wide array of

we should be looking at a wide array of possibilities and exploring them with an

possibilities and exploring them with an

possibilities and exploring them with an open heart it’s not just about looking

open heart it’s not just about looking

open heart it’s not just about looking into what we already know

into what we already know

into what we already know and trying to reinforce them

and trying to reinforce them

and trying to reinforce them extraordinary area or what I would

extraordinary area or what I would

extraordinary area or what I would prefer as a portable area

is trying it it’s very good is there is

is trying it it’s very good is there is to go beyond what we already know and

to go beyond what we already know and

to go beyond what we already know and what we think are facts of life that

what we think are facts of life that

what we think are facts of life that cannot be altered as humans we are to be

cannot be altered as humans we are to be

cannot be altered as humans we are to be feared we have this fear of the unknown

feared we have this fear of the unknown

feared we have this fear of the unknown as a song goes we don’t like what we

as a song goes we don’t like what we

as a song goes we don’t like what we don’t understand it’s in fact it scares

don’t understand it’s in fact it scares

don’t understand it’s in fact it scares us I think the challenge for us is to

us I think the challenge for us is to

us I think the challenge for us is to try to know the unknown and to convert

try to know the unknown and to convert

try to know the unknown and to convert our fear into love as I end this simple

our fear into love as I end this simple

our fear into love as I end this simple thought I want to leave you with this

thought I want to leave you with this

thought I want to leave you with this beautiful lyrics of a song that you may

beautiful lyrics of a song that you may

beautiful lyrics of a song that you may know I see your true colors and that’s

know I see your true colors and that’s

know I see your true colors and that’s why I love you so don’t be afraid to let

why I love you so don’t be afraid to let

why I love you so don’t be afraid to let them show their true colors

them show their true colors

them show their true colors your true colors are beautiful

”

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