hey uh thanks so much for having me I just came in from New York actually
just came in from New York actually
just came in from New York actually we’ve been flying around all over the
we’ve been flying around all over the
we’ve been flying around all over the place my husband is here and he just
place my husband is here and he just
place my husband is here and he just came in from Harvard so it’s been a
came in from Harvard so it’s been a
came in from Harvard so it’s been a really long long travel to be here but
really long long travel to be here but
really long long travel to be here but thank you so much for having me I want
thank you so much for having me I want
thank you so much for having me I want to talk today about intersectionality
to talk today about intersectionality
to talk today about intersectionality and maps to justice and I’m gonna start
and maps to justice and I’m gonna start
and maps to justice and I’m gonna start just from earlier this year I went to
just from earlier this year I went to
just from earlier this year I went to afropunk and it’s um a festival in New
afropunk and it’s um a festival in New
afropunk and it’s um a festival in New York City and when I walked in the first
York City and when I walked in the first
York City and when I walked in the first thing I saw was this amazing sign no
thing I saw was this amazing sign no
thing I saw was this amazing sign no sexism no racism no ableism no
sexism no racism no ableism no
sexism no racism no ableism no homophobia I know fatphobia no
homophobia I know fatphobia no
homophobia I know fatphobia no transphobia no hatefulness and I wasn’t
transphobia no hatefulness and I wasn’t
transphobia no hatefulness and I wasn’t excited because I assumed that the place
excited because I assumed that the place
excited because I assumed that the place would be devoid of any of these things
would be devoid of any of these things
would be devoid of any of these things but rather it was the fact that this
but rather it was the fact that this
but rather it was the fact that this organization this company recognized
organization this company recognized
organization this company recognized that these are real issues and these are
that these are real issues and these are
that these are real issues and these are real systemic problems and they’re
real systemic problems and they’re
real systemic problems and they’re engaged in a discourse both within
engaged in a discourse both within
engaged in a discourse both within themselves and with their audience about
themselves and with their audience about
themselves and with their audience about what it would look like to eliminate
what it would look like to eliminate
what it would look like to eliminate these things or address these things in
these things or address these things in
these things or address these things in the space that we’re creating and when
the space that we’re creating and when
the space that we’re creating and when we talk about intersectionality we’re
we talk about intersectionality we’re
we talk about intersectionality we’re not just talking about how those issues
not just talking about how those issues
not just talking about how those issues individually impact people but rather
individually impact people but rather
individually impact people but rather how they collectively impact people
how they collectively impact people
how they collectively impact people especially those of us who are
especially those of us who are
especially those of us who are particularly vulnerable who sit at the
particularly vulnerable who sit at the
particularly vulnerable who sit at the intersections of many of those systems
intersections of many of those systems
intersections of many of those systems I’m someone who’s mixed race and so
I’m someone who’s mixed race and so
I’m someone who’s mixed race and so often people will ask me to quantify the
often people will ask me to quantify the
often people will ask me to quantify the exact percentage of how much of a thing
exact percentage of how much of a thing
exact percentage of how much of a thing I am and often you know the way that I
I am and often you know the way that I
I am and often you know the way that I respond to that is with some wisdom a
respond to that is with some wisdom a
respond to that is with some wisdom a friend of mine you me Tom she gave me
friend of mine you me Tom she gave me
friend of mine you me Tom she gave me which is that you know I am NOT
which is that you know I am NOT
which is that you know I am NOT fractions
fractions
fractions I’m layers so I’m South Asian I’m
I’m layers so I’m South Asian I’m
I’m layers so I’m South Asian I’m African I’m Native I’m Venezuelan all of
African I’m Native I’m Venezuelan all of
African I’m Native I’m Venezuelan all of these things are all happening at the
these things are all happening at the
these things are all happening at the same time and I can’t separate these
same time and I can’t separate these
same time and I can’t separate these conversations I grew up listening to
conversations I grew up listening to
conversations I grew up listening to Spanish and Hindi and both of those
Spanish and Hindi and both of those
Spanish and Hindi and both of those things are in me all at the same time
things are in me all at the same time
things are in me all at the same time and similarly when we talk about matters
and similarly when we talk about matters
and similarly when we talk about matters of justice around women’s work or around
of justice around women’s work or around
of justice around women’s work or around ableism all of those things have to
ableism all of those things have to
ableism all of those things have to happen at the same time and for me it is
happen at the same time and for me it is
happen at the same time and for me it is also a really important recognition that
also a really important recognition that
also a really important recognition that being an ally is not an identity it’s a
being an ally is not an identity it’s a
being an ally is not an identity it’s a process so often with the way that we
process so often with the way that we
process so often with the way that we have access to education we believe that
have access to education we believe that
have access to education we believe that there are things that we can master
there are things that we can master
there are things that we can master that’s literally a thing people get
that’s literally a thing people get
that’s literally a thing people get master’s degrees but this is not the
master’s degrees but this is not the
master’s degrees but this is not the thing you master
thing you master
thing you master this is about developing relationships
this is about developing relationships
this is about developing relationships and building humility and working
and building humility and working
and building humility and working collectively over periods of times to
collectively over periods of times to
collectively over periods of times to shift systems and make change so
shift systems and make change so
shift systems and make change so researchers have estimated the total
researchers have estimated the total
researchers have estimated the total wealth of the world at two hundred and
wealth of the world at two hundred and
wealth of the world at two hundred and twenty three billion two hundred twenty
twenty three billion two hundred twenty
twenty three billion two hundred twenty three trillion dollars and I named this
three trillion dollars and I named this
three trillion dollars and I named this because I think this is a context to
because I think this is a context to
because I think this is a context to start to understand global ideas of
start to understand global ideas of
start to understand global ideas of inequity now we know that forty three
inequity now we know that forty three
inequity now we know that forty three percent of the world’s population
percent of the world’s population
percent of the world’s population percentage wealth is owned by 1% of the
percentage wealth is owned by 1% of the
percentage wealth is owned by 1% of the world population and another way of
world population and another way of
world population and another way of thinking about this is that three the
thinking about this is that three the
thinking about this is that three the three hundred richest people have as
three hundred richest people have as
three hundred richest people have as much as the three billion poorest people
much as the three billion poorest people
much as the three billion poorest people and so often the kind of rhetoric that
and so often the kind of rhetoric that
and so often the kind of rhetoric that we hear about poverty is that those
we hear about poverty is that those
we hear about poverty is that those three billion people are gree are are
three billion people are gree are are
three billion people are gree are are lazy as opposed to those three hundred
lazy as opposed to those three hundred
lazy as opposed to those three hundred people are greedy that we have a minimum
people are greedy that we have a minimum
people are greedy that we have a minimum wage but we don’t have a maximum wage
wage but we don’t have a maximum wage
wage but we don’t have a maximum wage that would impact the way that wealth is
that would impact the way that wealth is
that would impact the way that wealth is distributed we know that prior to
distributed we know that prior to
distributed we know that prior to colonization a few rich countries were
colonization a few rich countries were
colonization a few rich countries were only about three times richer than poor
only about three times richer than poor
only about three times richer than poor countries an after colonization in the
countries an after colonization in the
countries an after colonization in the 1950s in the 1960s there were 35 times
1950s in the 1960s there were 35 times
1950s in the 1960s there were 35 times richer and now they’re eighty times
richer and now they’re eighty times
richer and now they’re eighty times richer and rich countries often like to
richer and rich countries often like to
richer and rich countries often like to compensate for this with the idea of aid
compensate for this with the idea of aid
compensate for this with the idea of aid and so about a hundred and fifty billion
and so about a hundred and fifty billion
and so about a hundred and fifty billion dollars flows from rich countries to
dollars flows from rich countries to
dollars flows from rich countries to poor countries annually but what is
poor countries annually but what is
poor countries annually but what is actually happening is two trillion
actually happening is two trillion
actually happening is two trillion dollars is flowing in the opposite
dollars is flowing in the opposite
dollars is flowing in the opposite direction from poor countries to rich
direction from poor countries to rich
direction from poor countries to rich countries and that is why I don’t like
countries and that is why I don’t like
countries and that is why I don’t like to use the term underdeveloped but
to use the term underdeveloped but
to use the term underdeveloped but rather over exploited to describe the
rather over exploited to describe the
rather over exploited to describe the accuracy of the relationship that’s
accuracy of the relationship that’s
accuracy of the relationship that’s happening between the global north and
happening between the global north and
happening between the global north and the global south and part of the reason
the global south and part of the reason
the global south and part of the reason why we don’t get to hear these stories
why we don’t get to hear these stories
why we don’t get to hear these stories is because as long as there is a
is because as long as there is a
is because as long as there is a monopoly around money there’s also a
monopoly around money there’s also a
monopoly around money there’s also a monopoly around culture and media making
monopoly around culture and media making
monopoly around culture and media making 3% of the decision-making in media comes
3% of the decision-making in media comes
3% of the decision-making in media comes from women that means 97% of how women
from women that means 97% of how women
from women that means 97% of how women are portrayed is decided on by men and
are portrayed is decided on by men and
are portrayed is decided on by men and men have a particular class and of a
men have a particular class and of a
men have a particular class and of a particular experience and it’s not that
particular experience and it’s not that
particular experience and it’s not that these men are not valuable or their
these men are not valuable or their
these men are not valuable or their stories are not important but their
stories are not important but their
stories are not important but their stories can’t be the only ones we need
stories can’t be the only ones we need
stories can’t be the only ones we need multiple narratives and multiple
multiple narratives and multiple
multiple narratives and multiple experiences of people’s truths so we can
experiences of people’s truths so we can
experiences of people’s truths so we can build something that is substantially
build something that is substantially
build something that is substantially more accurate than having one unilateral
more accurate than having one unilateral
more accurate than having one unilateral perspective
perspective
perspective speak on behalf of everyone else in the
speak on behalf of everyone else in the
speak on behalf of everyone else in the entire world and this is something that
entire world and this is something that
entire world and this is something that has historical truth – I love this from
has historical truth – I love this from
has historical truth – I love this from recess so much and it’s this take these
recess so much and it’s this take these
recess so much and it’s this take these history books with a grain of salt as
history books with a grain of salt as
history books with a grain of salt as they focus primarily on white Western
they focus primarily on white Western
they focus primarily on white Western males and I remember when I was in
males and I remember when I was in
males and I remember when I was in school and I was so frustrated because I
school and I was so frustrated because I
school and I was so frustrated because I felt like we never talked about anyone
felt like we never talked about anyone
felt like we never talked about anyone else what were women doing what were
else what were women doing what were
else what were women doing what were disabled people doing what were people
disabled people doing what were people
disabled people doing what were people in so many different aspects of lives
in so many different aspects of lives
in so many different aspects of lives doing so often what we do is focus on
doing so often what we do is focus on
doing so often what we do is focus on the soldiers and the wars and the times
the soldiers and the wars and the times
the soldiers and the wars and the times of incredible strife in our history as
of incredible strife in our history as
of incredible strife in our history as opposed to the hundreds of years that
opposed to the hundreds of years that
opposed to the hundreds of years that Christians and Jews and Muslims have
Christians and Jews and Muslims have
Christians and Jews and Muslims have actually lived side by side and worked
actually lived side by side and worked
actually lived side by side and worked and built community together and the
and built community together and the
and built community together and the absence of hearing those narratives
absence of hearing those narratives
absence of hearing those narratives constructs an idea around what the human
constructs an idea around what the human
constructs an idea around what the human condition is and we really want to shift
condition is and we really want to shift
condition is and we really want to shift that and I think it’s important for us
that and I think it’s important for us
that and I think it’s important for us to talk about the different things that
to talk about the different things that
to talk about the different things that contribute to global inequity and I
contribute to global inequity and I
contribute to global inequity and I think that a lot of the time we get
think that a lot of the time we get
think that a lot of the time we get distracted by this issue and I think
distracted by this issue and I think
distracted by this issue and I think this is really deeply important because
this is really deeply important because
this is really deeply important because even maps are a choice in politics that
even maps are a choice in politics that
even maps are a choice in politics that there are more people living inside of
there are more people living inside of
there are more people living inside of this circle than outside of it I hate
this circle than outside of it I hate
this circle than outside of it I hate the term minority because seven out of
the term minority because seven out of
the term minority because seven out of ten people in the world are people of
ten people in the world are people of
ten people in the world are people of color so the idea of suggesting that my
color so the idea of suggesting that my
color so the idea of suggesting that my issues are somehow minor are is silly
issues are somehow minor are is silly
issues are somehow minor are is silly and in truth it’s really reflective of
and in truth it’s really reflective of
and in truth it’s really reflective of the fact of a lot of people in the world
the fact of a lot of people in the world
the fact of a lot of people in the world and truthfully we are all interconnected
and truthfully we are all interconnected
and truthfully we are all interconnected in our actions and our in actions impact
in our actions and our in actions impact
in our actions and our in actions impact each other powerfully and that is why we
each other powerfully and that is why we
each other powerfully and that is why we want to be intentional about the way
want to be intentional about the way
want to be intentional about the way that we act with each other and the way
that we act with each other and the way
that we act with each other and the way that we do that is by learning more
that we do that is by learning more
that we do that is by learning more about each other from each other I often
about each other from each other I often
about each other from each other I often tell this story of when I was in my
tell this story of when I was in my
tell this story of when I was in my first year class of anthropology and a
first year class of anthropology and a
first year class of anthropology and a friend of mine who was Mayan we were
friend of mine who was Mayan we were
friend of mine who was Mayan we were listening to someone interpret the text
listening to someone interpret the text
listening to someone interpret the text in a way that she knew was inaccurate so
in a way that she knew was inaccurate so
in a way that she knew was inaccurate so I invited I told I was like you know you
I invited I told I was like you know you
I invited I told I was like you know you should say something so this person um
should say something so this person um
should say something so this person um and she put up her hand and she said you
and she put up her hand and she said you
and she put up her hand and she said you know this is a common misinterpretation
know this is a common misinterpretation
know this is a common misinterpretation of the text I get this a lot and the
of the text I get this a lot and the
of the text I get this a lot and the professor was like you know I’ve been
professor was like you know I’ve been
professor was like you know I’ve been studying my theology for seven years and
studying my theology for seven years and
studying my theology for seven years and it’s my focus and she’s like that’s cute
it’s my focus and she’s like that’s cute
it’s my focus and she’s like that’s cute I’ve been my in my whole life and for me
I’ve been my in my whole life and for me
I’ve been my in my whole life and for me it was just this realization that
it was just this realization that
it was just this realization that there’s so much knowledge and wisdom
there’s so much knowledge and wisdom
there’s so much knowledge and wisdom around us and if we continue to only
around us and if we continue to only
around us and if we continue to only look at the people with a whole bunch of
look at the people with a whole bunch of
look at the people with a whole bunch of letters after their name
letters after their name
letters after their name missing out on so much of that wisdom
missing out on so much of that wisdom
missing out on so much of that wisdom and so often what we have seen is that
and so often what we have seen is that
and so often what we have seen is that the strategy is not to talk about these
the strategy is not to talk about these
the strategy is not to talk about these difficult issues but not talking about
difficult issues but not talking about
difficult issues but not talking about them has not made them go away we know
them has not made them go away we know
them has not made them go away we know now that Millennials are just as racist
now that Millennials are just as racist
now that Millennials are just as racist as the baby boomers or a Generation X
as the baby boomers or a Generation X
as the baby boomers or a Generation X there’s really only marginal differences
there’s really only marginal differences
there’s really only marginal differences so this strategy of ignoring a problem
so this strategy of ignoring a problem
so this strategy of ignoring a problem and hoping it’s gonna go away is not
and hoping it’s gonna go away is not
and hoping it’s gonna go away is not effective and that racism doesn’t always
effective and that racism doesn’t always
effective and that racism doesn’t always look like shouting slurs it often looks
look like shouting slurs it often looks
look like shouting slurs it often looks like looking for a reason why a black
like looking for a reason why a black
like looking for a reason why a black boy deserves to die or why a black girl
boy deserves to die or why a black girl
boy deserves to die or why a black girl deserves to get assaulted by a police
deserves to get assaulted by a police
deserves to get assaulted by a police officer it’s a deeper kind of
officer it’s a deeper kind of
officer it’s a deeper kind of conversation that the three women who
conversation that the three women who
conversation that the three women who created black lives matter in the
created black lives matter in the
created black lives matter in the movement have been really trying to
movement have been really trying to
movement have been really trying to engender in a lot of different spaces I
engender in a lot of different spaces I
engender in a lot of different spaces I think it’s also talking about the way
think it’s also talking about the way
think it’s also talking about the way that in Canada we actually have one of
that in Canada we actually have one of
that in Canada we actually have one of the lowest crime rates we’ve had in
the lowest crime rates we’ve had in
the lowest crime rates we’ve had in years but we’re undergoing the largest
years but we’re undergoing the largest
years but we’re undergoing the largest prison expansion since the 1930s prisons
prison expansion since the 1930s prisons
prison expansion since the 1930s prisons disappear people but do not disappear
disappear people but do not disappear
disappear people but do not disappear social problems and we know certain
social problems and we know certain
social problems and we know certain people are over-represented in the
people are over-represented in the
people are over-represented in the prison system indigenous people only
prison system indigenous people only
prison system indigenous people only make up six percent of the population
make up six percent of the population
make up six percent of the population but thirty percent of the prison
but thirty percent of the prison
but thirty percent of the prison population and these issues persists
population and these issues persists
population and these issues persists outside of prisons we know with enormous
outside of prisons we know with enormous
outside of prisons we know with enormous lehigh food cost in men of it heads of
lehigh food cost in men of it heads of
lehigh food cost in men of it heads of lettuce at twenty eight dollars and 54
lettuce at twenty eight dollars and 54
lettuce at twenty eight dollars and 54 cents packages of water for a hundred
cents packages of water for a hundred
cents packages of water for a hundred and ten dollars and people will often
and ten dollars and people will often
and ten dollars and people will often get caught up in this my new show of
get caught up in this my new show of
get caught up in this my new show of shipping costs but alcohol is being
shipping costs but alcohol is being
shipping costs but alcohol is being priced exactly the same way that since
priced exactly the same way that since
priced exactly the same way that since 1978 over fourteen billion dollars have
1978 over fourteen billion dollars have
1978 over fourteen billion dollars have come of so many territories and those
come of so many territories and those
come of so many territories and those communities still remain without running
communities still remain without running
communities still remain without running water this is unethical and as Canadian
water this is unethical and as Canadian
water this is unethical and as Canadian citizens we have a responsibility to
citizens we have a responsibility to
citizens we have a responsibility to investigate that and similarly so often
investigate that and similarly so often
investigate that and similarly so often certain labor is invisible eyes in order
certain labor is invisible eyes in order
certain labor is invisible eyes in order for us to feel as though were
for us to feel as though were
for us to feel as though were independent so much of the food in
independent so much of the food in
independent so much of the food in canada is produced by migrant workers
canada is produced by migrant workers
canada is produced by migrant workers coming in from jamaica and Thailand kept
coming in from jamaica and Thailand kept
coming in from jamaica and Thailand kept in southwestern Ontario not even able to
in southwestern Ontario not even able to
in southwestern Ontario not even able to eat the food that they’re growing and
eat the food that they’re growing and
eat the food that they’re growing and producing for us and this happens in
producing for us and this happens in
producing for us and this happens in ways there are large and in small I
ways there are large and in small I
ways there are large and in small I think about the way that sexism
think about the way that sexism
think about the way that sexism impacts women but also men who are
impacts women but also men who are
impacts women but also men who are police for having any sorts of attitudes
police for having any sorts of attitudes
police for having any sorts of attitudes that may be conceived as feminine that
that may be conceived as feminine that
that may be conceived as feminine that we are not interested in encouraging
we are not interested in encouraging
we are not interested in encouraging these ideas of nurturing and kindness in
these ideas of nurturing and kindness in
these ideas of nurturing and kindness in masking
masking
masking leti or allowing there to be enough
leti or allowing there to be enough
leti or allowing there to be enough space for us to be the people that we
space for us to be the people that we
space for us to be the people that we genuinely are or watching the way that
genuinely are or watching the way that
genuinely are or watching the way that women’s bodies are getting police you
women’s bodies are getting police you
women’s bodies are getting police you know young women are getting sent home
know young women are getting sent home
know young women are getting sent home at exams for having too much shoulders
at exams for having too much shoulders
at exams for having too much shoulders showing if we’re saying that having boys
showing if we’re saying that having boys
showing if we’re saying that having boys have a distraction-free learning
have a distraction-free learning
have a distraction-free learning environment is more valuable than women
environment is more valuable than women
environment is more valuable than women being at school like if a girl is too
being at school like if a girl is too
being at school like if a girl is too young to be wearing that then she’s too
young to be wearing that then she’s too
young to be wearing that then she’s too young to be sexualized and we see that
young to be sexualized and we see that
young to be sexualized and we see that this is happening on the other end this
this is happening on the other end this
this is happening on the other end this young woman was she was deemed that her
young woman was she was deemed that her
young woman was she was deemed that her clothes were was a provocation against
clothes were was a provocation against
clothes were was a provocation against secularism so they were too long and too
secularism so they were too long and too
secularism so they were too long and too modest and made her seem too religious
modest and made her seem too religious
modest and made her seem too religious and we have to recognize that you know
and we have to recognize that you know
and we have to recognize that you know even though women have this experience
even though women have this experience
even though women have this experience of collectively experiencing
of collectively experiencing
of collectively experiencing gender-based oppression it looks
gender-based oppression it looks
gender-based oppression it looks different in different contexts but
different in different contexts but
different in different contexts but ultimately what we’re looking for as an
ultimately what we’re looking for as an
ultimately what we’re looking for as an increased amount of agency when I think
increased amount of agency when I think
increased amount of agency when I think about gender diversity I can’t not think
about gender diversity I can’t not think
about gender diversity I can’t not think about sexual diversity and gender
about sexual diversity and gender
about sexual diversity and gender diversity that there are more than two
diversity that there are more than two
diversity that there are more than two sexualities and that there are more than
sexualities and that there are more than
sexualities and that there are more than two genders and that we can’t allow
two genders and that we can’t allow
two genders and that we can’t allow institutions to be the ones who
institutions to be the ones who
institutions to be the ones who determine gender for folks it has to be
determine gender for folks it has to be
determine gender for folks it has to be a self-determined process that we allow
a self-determined process that we allow
a self-determined process that we allow to that we allow that we also respect
to that we allow that we also respect
to that we allow that we also respect when it comes out of other people’s
when it comes out of other people’s
when it comes out of other people’s mouths and this doesn’t just look like
mouths and this doesn’t just look like
mouths and this doesn’t just look like one end being masculine in one end being
one end being masculine in one end being
one end being masculine in one end being feminine but a recognition that some
feminine but a recognition that some
feminine but a recognition that some folks are also doing really gender
folks are also doing really gender
folks are also doing really gender diverse things and maybe genderqueer or
diverse things and maybe genderqueer or
diverse things and maybe genderqueer or mouche or Hedra there is a cultural
mouche or Hedra there is a cultural
mouche or Hedra there is a cultural context for gender difference all over
context for gender difference all over
context for gender difference all over the world and diversity is actually the
the world and diversity is actually the
the world and diversity is actually the rule and not the exception that in fact
rule and not the exception that in fact
rule and not the exception that in fact the problem with gender is that it
the problem with gender is that it
the problem with gender is that it prescribes how we should be as opposed
prescribes how we should be as opposed
prescribes how we should be as opposed to respecting and recognizing how and
to respecting and recognizing how and
to respecting and recognizing how and who we are and I think once we hear
who we are and I think once we hear
who we are and I think once we hear about all these things it can be really
about all these things it can be really
about all these things it can be really difficult to get stuck in a place to
difficult to get stuck in a place to
difficult to get stuck in a place to feeling like how could I not been aware
feeling like how could I not been aware
feeling like how could I not been aware of this or how have I not been engaged
of this or how have I not been engaged
of this or how have I not been engaged in this process but it’s really
in this process but it’s really
in this process but it’s really important to remember that there’s no
important to remember that there’s no
important to remember that there’s no such thing as reverse ableism or reverse
such thing as reverse ableism or reverse
such thing as reverse ableism or reverse sexism that the problem with
sexism that the problem with
sexism that the problem with marginalization is that these
marginalization is that these
marginalization is that these communities don’t actually have systemic
communities don’t actually have systemic
communities don’t actually have systemic power with which to oppress other people
power with which to oppress other people
power with which to oppress other people so the reverse of ableism the reverse of
so the reverse of ableism the reverse of
so the reverse of ableism the reverse of sexism is liberation and actually that’s
sexism is liberation and actually that’s
sexism is liberation and actually that’s what we’re here for
what we’re here for
what we’re here for so what does it look like for us to be
so what does it look like for us to be
so what does it look like for us to be transforming large and small ecosystems
transforming large and small ecosystems
transforming large and small ecosystems what does this change making work
what does this change making work
what does this change making work looking like all around the world and I
looking like all around the world and I
looking like all around the world and I always say this to people start where
always say this to people start where
always say this to people start where you are use what you have and do what
you are use what you have and do what
you are use what you have and do what you can the grass is greener where you
you can the grass is greener where you
you can the grass is greener where you water it so often we think that we have
water it so often we think that we have
water it so often we think that we have to go somewhere else to another
to go somewhere else to another
to go somewhere else to another community to make really powerful change
community to make really powerful change
community to make really powerful change but some of the most powerful change
but some of the most powerful change
but some of the most powerful change happens in our own homes and our own
happens in our own homes and our own
happens in our own homes and our own communities around people that we know
communities around people that we know
communities around people that we know really well and I think that we don’t
really well and I think that we don’t
really well and I think that we don’t often recognize that we are cooler than
often recognize that we are cooler than
often recognize that we are cooler than we think we are I watch people go
we think we are I watch people go
we think we are I watch people go through great strides to avoid looking
through great strides to avoid looking
through great strides to avoid looking critically at themselves to avoid saying
critically at themselves to avoid saying
critically at themselves to avoid saying I was sorry and I’m wrong I’ve seen
I was sorry and I’m wrong I’ve seen
I was sorry and I’m wrong I’ve seen people throw away love to avoid facing
people throw away love to avoid facing
people throw away love to avoid facing their insecurities and fears if you love
their insecurities and fears if you love
their insecurities and fears if you love me and you see me doing that please Rabb
me and you see me doing that please Rabb
me and you see me doing that please Rabb me hold me tight remind me that I’m
me hold me tight remind me that I’m
me hold me tight remind me that I’m great and I just serve opportunities to
great and I just serve opportunities to
great and I just serve opportunities to grow and ascend even if they hurt and
grow and ascend even if they hurt and
grow and ascend even if they hurt and even if I’m ashamed that ability to
even if I’m ashamed that ability to
even if I’m ashamed that ability to acknowledge when we’ve hurt someone and
acknowledge when we’ve hurt someone and
acknowledge when we’ve hurt someone and say I’m sorry for what I did not the way
say I’m sorry for what I did not the way
say I’m sorry for what I did not the way you feel but I’m sorry for what I did
you feel but I’m sorry for what I did
you feel but I’m sorry for what I did and I want to do better and I think it
and I want to do better and I think it
and I want to do better and I think it has a lot to do with the kind of culture
has a lot to do with the kind of culture
has a lot to do with the kind of culture that we’re encouraging around us for
that we’re encouraging around us for
that we’re encouraging around us for young folks and folks around us but so
young folks and folks around us but so
young folks and folks around us but so often what we get asked is you know like
often what we get asked is you know like
often what we get asked is you know like what do you do for a living like how are
what do you do for a living like how are
what do you do for a living like how are you gonna contribute to capitalism like
you gonna contribute to capitalism like
you gonna contribute to capitalism like what’s your hustle and that’s a good
what’s your hustle and that’s a good
what’s your hustle and that’s a good question it’s totally irrelevant one but
question it’s totally irrelevant one but
question it’s totally irrelevant one but I also want to know like what kind of
I also want to know like what kind of
I also want to know like what kind of person are you like what does integrity
person are you like what does integrity
person are you like what does integrity look like for you how do you grow
look like for you how do you grow
look like for you how do you grow yourself up into someone that you’re
yourself up into someone that you’re
yourself up into someone that you’re proud of and this is something that has
proud of and this is something that has
proud of and this is something that has to be just as intentional we go to
to be just as intentional we go to
to be just as intentional we go to school to learn a whole bunch of
school to learn a whole bunch of
school to learn a whole bunch of different things but what does that mean
different things but what does that mean
different things but what does that mean about the kind of human that you are
about the kind of human that you are
about the kind of human that you are what does that mean about your
what does that mean about your
what does that mean about your accountability to other humans that are
accountability to other humans that are
accountability to other humans that are like you and particularly other humans
like you and particularly other humans
like you and particularly other humans who are completely not like you and I
who are completely not like you and I
who are completely not like you and I think about it really as a superpower
think about it really as a superpower
think about it really as a superpower sort of thing so I have this thing where
sort of thing so I have this thing where
sort of thing so I have this thing where a lot of little kids in the world and
a lot of little kids in the world and
a lot of little kids in the world and they don’t totally know where this is
they don’t totally know where this is
they don’t totally know where this is ask me why I’m a superhero or they asked
ask me why I’m a superhero or they asked
ask me why I’m a superhero or they asked me if I’m a superhero and I think
me if I’m a superhero and I think
me if I’m a superhero and I think normally it’s because I’m usually
normally it’s because I’m usually
normally it’s because I’m usually wearing like really brightly colored
wearing like really brightly colored
wearing like really brightly colored tights and like I have a lot going on
tights and like I have a lot going on
tights and like I have a lot going on like the tattoos and there’s I’m usually
like the tattoos and there’s I’m usually
like the tattoos and there’s I’m usually doing a lot more than this
doing a lot more than this
doing a lot more than this so you know at first I’d be like no I’m
so you know at first I’d be like no I’m
so you know at first I’d be like no I’m not but eventually I was like you know
not but eventually I was like you know
not but eventually I was like you know what yeah I am and so are you and so
what yeah I am and so are you and so
what yeah I am and so are you and so what’s your superpower because what is
what’s your superpower because what is
what’s your superpower because what is the superhero if not someone who
the superhero if not someone who
the superhero if not someone who recognizes the kind of abject poverty
recognizes the kind of abject poverty
recognizes the kind of abject poverty and injustice in their communities and
and injustice in their communities and
and injustice in their communities and decides to commit themselves to changing
decides to commit themselves to changing
decides to commit themselves to changing it everyone has that within them
it everyone has that within them
it everyone has that within them everyone has the capacity to do that and
everyone has the capacity to do that and
everyone has the capacity to do that and for me my superpower is really around
for me my superpower is really around
for me my superpower is really around the way that I bring people together to
the way that I bring people together to
the way that I bring people together to help them access new opportunities and
help them access new opportunities and
help them access new opportunities and articulate the issues that are happening
articulate the issues that are happening
articulate the issues that are happening in their communities and I encourage you
in their communities and I encourage you
in their communities and I encourage you to figure out what your superpower is
to figure out what your superpower is
to figure out what your superpower is and these are so many different people
and these are so many different people
and these are so many different people all around the world who are engaging in
all around the world who are engaging in
all around the world who are engaging in some kind of superhero work and I think
some kind of superhero work and I think
some kind of superhero work and I think that we can learn from this in a
that we can learn from this in a
that we can learn from this in a multitude of different ways this young
multitude of different ways this young
multitude of different ways this young woman Gabi Rodriguez challenging
woman Gabi Rodriguez challenging
woman Gabi Rodriguez challenging stereotypes she’s a 17 year old high
stereotypes she’s a 17 year old high
stereotypes she’s a 17 year old high school student and she decided to
school student and she decided to
school student and she decided to pretend to be pregnant for seven months
pretend to be pregnant for seven months
pretend to be pregnant for seven months at her high school to draw attention to
at her high school to draw attention to
at her high school to draw attention to the way that young teen mothers were
the way that young teen mothers were
the way that young teen mothers were being shamed and stigmatized she
being shamed and stigmatized she
being shamed and stigmatized she collected all of the different things
collected all of the different things
collected all of the different things that people said about her and to her
that people said about her and to her
that people said about her and to her and then had teachers and students get
and then had teachers and students get
and then had teachers and students get up in the assembly and read them all in
up in the assembly and read them all in
up in the assembly and read them all in front of the entire school to talk about
front of the entire school to talk about
front of the entire school to talk about what it would look like to actually
what it would look like to actually
what it would look like to actually support these women to be here as
support these women to be here as
support these women to be here as opposed to pushing them out of their
opposed to pushing them out of their
opposed to pushing them out of their education I think about the work of
education I think about the work of
education I think about the work of generational work you know we’re really
generational work you know we’re really
generational work you know we’re really borrowing this world from our kids and
borrowing this world from our kids and
borrowing this world from our kids and so it’s really important that we think
so it’s really important that we think
so it’s really important that we think about how we’re taking good care of it
about how we’re taking good care of it
about how we’re taking good care of it and making sure we’re planting seeds
and making sure we’re planting seeds
and making sure we’re planting seeds that will yield growth in generations to
that will yield growth in generations to
that will yield growth in generations to come I think about generation five and
come I think about generation five and
come I think about generation five and the amazing work that they’re doing
the amazing work that they’re doing
the amazing work that they’re doing there in Oakland and they’re committed
there in Oakland and they’re committed
there in Oakland and they’re committed to eradicating sexual violence and
to eradicating sexual violence and
to eradicating sexual violence and gender-based violence within five
gender-based violence within five
gender-based violence within five generations their work on transformative
generations their work on transformative
generations their work on transformative justice is powerful and really involves
justice is powerful and really involves
justice is powerful and really involves so many different indigenous practices
so many different indigenous practices
so many different indigenous practices of healing sharing resources as often as
of healing sharing resources as often as
of healing sharing resources as often as we possibly can when there was that the
we possibly can when there was that the
we possibly can when there was that the beginning of the refugee crisis was
beginning of the refugee crisis was
beginning of the refugee crisis was folks coming from Syria people created
folks coming from Syria people created
folks coming from Syria people created an Airbnb for refugees when governments
an Airbnb for refugees when governments
an Airbnb for refugees when governments were saying no people were saying yes we
were saying no people were saying yes we
were saying no people were saying yes we have space and we can make it work and
have space and we can make it work and
have space and we can make it work and you’re going to find a way to do that
you’re going to find a way to do that
you’re going to find a way to do that recently in France they just passed a
recently in France they just passed a
recently in France they just passed a law that made it illegal for
law that made it illegal for
law that made it illegal for supermarkets to destroy edible food in
supermarkets to destroy edible food in
supermarkets to destroy edible food in an effort to cut waste still in Canada
an effort to cut waste still in Canada
an effort to cut waste still in Canada grocery stores and restaurants all have
grocery stores and restaurants all have
grocery stores and restaurants all have to throw away their food in places they
to throw away their food in places they
to throw away their food in places they literally will lock them into dumpsters
literally will lock them into dumpsters
literally will lock them into dumpsters to prevent people from eating like we
to prevent people from eating like we
to prevent people from eating like we have a responsibility to change those
have a responsibility to change those
have a responsibility to change those kinds of systems and structures we have
kinds of systems and structures we have
kinds of systems and structures we have to make this world a more ethical one
to make this world a more ethical one
to make this world a more ethical one than the one that we were born into it’s
than the one that we were born into it’s
than the one that we were born into it’s not sufficient for us to just say it’s
not sufficient for us to just say it’s
not sufficient for us to just say it’s always been this way all of these
always been this way all of these
always been this way all of these systems were made by people and they can
systems were made by people and they can
systems were made by people and they can be and will be I made by people in Peru
be and will be I made by people in Peru
be and will be I made by people in Peru University they invented a billboard
University they invented a billboard
University they invented a billboard that makes 100 litres of drinking water
that makes 100 litres of drinking water
that makes 100 litres of drinking water per day out of thin air respecting
per day out of thin air respecting
per day out of thin air respecting agency I think so often we talked about
agency I think so often we talked about
agency I think so often we talked about this honey before but this image for me
this honey before but this image for me
this honey before but this image for me is really really special so these are a
is really really special so these are a
is really really special so these are a group of women scientists who last year
group of women scientists who last year
group of women scientists who last year sent a satellite to Mars and so often
sent a satellite to Mars and so often
sent a satellite to Mars and so often what we’re used to seeing is like a
what we’re used to seeing is like a
what we’re used to seeing is like a bunch of dudes in like lab coats and
bunch of dudes in like lab coats and
bunch of dudes in like lab coats and these are women in saris with flowers in
these are women in saris with flowers in
these are women in saris with flowers in their hair
their hair
their hair and I think that it is really important
and I think that it is really important
and I think that it is really important that we create the space for people to
that we create the space for people to
that we create the space for people to show up as they are and culturally
show up as they are and culturally
show up as they are and culturally sensitive and culturally reflective ways
sensitive and culturally reflective ways
sensitive and culturally reflective ways knowing that these women are geniuses
knowing that these women are geniuses
knowing that these women are geniuses and can do that in a skirt I can wear
and can do that in a skirt I can wear
and can do that in a skirt I can wear eyeliner and talk about
eyeliner and talk about
eyeliner and talk about intersectionality at the same time it’s
intersectionality at the same time it’s
intersectionality at the same time it’s completely possible and I think
completely possible and I think
completely possible and I think increasing accessibility making sure we
increasing accessibility making sure we
increasing accessibility making sure we have things like interpreters and
have things like interpreters and
have things like interpreters and producing things in Braille having
producing things in Braille having
producing things in Braille having childcare thinking about all the people
childcare thinking about all the people
childcare thinking about all the people who often don’t get to access the spaces
who often don’t get to access the spaces
who often don’t get to access the spaces that we create we don’t want to speak on
that we create we don’t want to speak on
that we create we don’t want to speak on behalf of others we want to make more
behalf of others we want to make more
behalf of others we want to make more space at the table for them to speak on
space at the table for them to speak on
space at the table for them to speak on behalf of themselves and starting young
behalf of themselves and starting young
behalf of themselves and starting young I love the radical monarch if you decide
I love the radical monarch if you decide
I love the radical monarch if you decide to follow them on Instagram tell them I
to follow them on Instagram tell them I
to follow them on Instagram tell them I sent you because I think that they’re
sent you because I think that they’re
sent you because I think that they’re amazing they’re kind of live Girl Guides
amazing they’re kind of live Girl Guides
amazing they’re kind of live Girl Guides but turns up and they are a group of
but turns up and they are a group of
but turns up and they are a group of under the age of 12 young girls who are
under the age of 12 young girls who are
under the age of 12 young girls who are committed to social justice work and are
committed to social justice work and are
committed to social justice work and are doing that in a little pack and they’re
doing that in a little pack and they’re
doing that in a little pack and they’re going around really connecting to other
going around really connecting to other
going around really connecting to other people in their communities and doing
people in their communities and doing
people in their communities and doing really profound the awesome work they’re
really profound the awesome work they’re
really profound the awesome work they’re also hiring right now in case anyone is
also hiring right now in case anyone is
also hiring right now in case anyone is interested maybe why I had to Oakland um
interested maybe why I had to Oakland um
interested maybe why I had to Oakland um and I think that that’s a really great
and I think that that’s a really great
and I think that that’s a really great way we often we don’t believe that young
way we often we don’t believe that young
way we often we don’t believe that young people can handle these difficult
people can handle these difficult
people can handle these difficult conversation
conversation
conversation but not only are they handling them
but not only are they handling them
but not only are they handling them they’re leading them and I think media
they’re leading them and I think media
they’re leading them and I think media that speaks to generations and reminds
that speaks to generations and reminds
that speaks to generations and reminds us about our responsibility and our
us about our responsibility and our
us about our responsibility and our accountability to each other that’s the
accountability to each other that’s the
accountability to each other that’s the way that we love each other is a good
way that we love each other is a good
way that we love each other is a good thing and a powerful thing that unless
thing and a powerful thing that unless
thing and a powerful thing that unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot
someone like you cares a whole awful lot
someone like you cares a whole awful lot nothing is going to get better it’s not
nothing is going to get better it’s not
nothing is going to get better it’s not we need each other deeply in this work
we need each other deeply in this work
we need each other deeply in this work and I think it’s so important for us to
and I think it’s so important for us to
and I think it’s so important for us to connect to that process and these are a
connect to that process and these are a
connect to that process and these are a whole bunch of strategies for solidarity
whole bunch of strategies for solidarity
whole bunch of strategies for solidarity I like to leave it in here because my
I like to leave it in here because my
I like to leave it in here because my prezi’s are public and free and
prezi’s are public and free and
prezi’s are public and free and shareable but there’s one thing I want
shareable but there’s one thing I want
shareable but there’s one thing I want to leave you with so often the golden
to leave you with so often the golden
to leave you with so often the golden rule is to treat other people the way
rule is to treat other people the way
rule is to treat other people the way that you want to be treated and I think
that you want to be treated and I think
that you want to be treated and I think it is really important to treat other
it is really important to treat other
it is really important to treat other people the way that they want to be
people the way that they want to be
people the way that they want to be treated we can’t assume that we’re the
treated we can’t assume that we’re the
treated we can’t assume that we’re the standard for other people’s experiences
standard for other people’s experiences
standard for other people’s experiences so it means we have to ask we have to
so it means we have to ask we have to
so it means we have to ask we have to ask what gender pronouns are we have to
ask what gender pronouns are we have to
ask what gender pronouns are we have to ask what cultural sensitivity looks like
ask what cultural sensitivity looks like
ask what cultural sensitivity looks like we have to ask what safety looks like
we have to ask what safety looks like
we have to ask what safety looks like and it’s in the way that we ask and we
and it’s in the way that we ask and we
and it’s in the way that we ask and we talk to each other and we create those
talk to each other and we create those
talk to each other and we create those kinds of discourses that we create
kinds of discourses that we create
kinds of discourses that we create communities where none of us are left
communities where none of us are left
communities where none of us are left behind because that is ultimately the
behind because that is ultimately the
behind because that is ultimately the goal even though this is hard the hard
goal even though this is hard the hard
goal even though this is hard the hard work is part of what tells us that we’re
work is part of what tells us that we’re
work is part of what tells us that we’re doing it right so we don’t want to turn
doing it right so we don’t want to turn
doing it right so we don’t want to turn away from each other when things get
away from each other when things get
away from each other when things get difficult we actually want to turn
difficult we actually want to turn
difficult we actually want to turn towards each other with courage and keep
towards each other with courage and keep
towards each other with courage and keep moving forward together
moving forward together
moving forward together [Applause]
”
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