thank you so much I have always been fascinated with stories that try to
fascinated with stories that try to
fascinated with stories that try to predict the future from Star Wars to The
predict the future from Star Wars to The
predict the future from Star Wars to The Hunger Games
Hunger Games
Hunger Games I must admit here for the first time
I must admit here for the first time
I must admit here for the first time publicly that as a teenager I always
publicly that as a teenager I always
publicly that as a teenager I always imagined myself like Princess Leia
imagined myself like Princess Leia
imagined myself like Princess Leia trying to save the world from the dark
trying to save the world from the dark
trying to save the world from the dark side
side
side by the time Katniss Everdeen entered my
by the time Katniss Everdeen entered my
by the time Katniss Everdeen entered my life those dreams had evolved into
life those dreams had evolved into
life those dreams had evolved into something more realistic my past as a
something more realistic my past as a
something more realistic my past as a journalist was very clear but still
journalist was very clear but still
journalist was very clear but still sprinkled with that same desire to try
sprinkled with that same desire to try
sprinkled with that same desire to try to do something to make the world a
to do something to make the world a
to do something to make the world a better place
better place
better place little by little I learned that using my
little by little I learned that using my
little by little I learned that using my voice motivates others to use theirs
voice motivates others to use theirs
voice motivates others to use theirs leading to positive change and that is a
leading to positive change and that is a
leading to positive change and that is a superpower all of us have last year in a
superpower all of us have last year in a
superpower all of us have last year in a little over two months I covered three
little over two months I covered three
little over two months I covered three hurricanes one earthquake and the worst
hurricanes one earthquake and the worst
hurricanes one earthquake and the worst mass shooting at a church in US history
mass shooting at a church in US history
mass shooting at a church in US history I traveled to more than two dozen cities
I traveled to more than two dozen cities
I traveled to more than two dozen cities told stories of almost 2,000 people who
told stories of almost 2,000 people who
told stories of almost 2,000 people who died and thousands more left living in
died and thousands more left living in
died and thousands more left living in the aftermath you see when I first
the aftermath you see when I first
the aftermath you see when I first started out as a reporter I thought that
started out as a reporter I thought that
started out as a reporter I thought that finding the truth was my main goal I was
finding the truth was my main goal I was
finding the truth was my main goal I was wrong that’s just my job what matters
wrong that’s just my job what matters
wrong that’s just my job what matters the most to me now is to make people
the most to me now is to make people
the most to me now is to make people care not just hear the news and think
care not just hear the news and think
care not just hear the news and think that is so sad well fortunately it
that is so sad well fortunately it
that is so sad well fortunately it didn’t happen to me I want to make them
didn’t happen to me I want to make them
didn’t happen to me I want to make them understand that eventually something
understand that eventually something
understand that eventually something like that can happen to any of us our
like that can happen to any of us our
like that can happen to any of us our world is shrinking it is more and more
world is shrinking it is more and more
world is shrinking it is more and more interconnected by culture technology
interconnected by culture technology
interconnected by culture technology politics the good and the bad that
politics the good and the bad that
politics the good and the bad that happens everywhere will affect us at
happens everywhere will affect us at
happens everywhere will affect us at some point last year when I was covering
some point last year when I was covering
some point last year when I was covering the aftermath of hurricane Harvey in
the aftermath of hurricane Harvey in
the aftermath of hurricane Harvey in Texas I was standing in the middle of a
Texas I was standing in the middle of a
Texas I was standing in the middle of a flooded street in Houston thinking about
flooded street in Houston thinking about
flooded street in Houston thinking about the zoning laws that allowed for areas
the zoning laws that allowed for areas
the zoning laws that allowed for areas without drainage resulting in the loss
without drainage resulting in the loss
without drainage resulting in the loss of lives could it have been prevented
of lives could it have been prevented
of lives could it have been prevented would it happen again in a different
would it happen again in a different
would it happen again in a different city who knows in Mexico standing in
city who knows in Mexico standing in
city who knows in Mexico standing in front of a school where 19 children died
front of a school where 19 children died
front of a school where 19 children died after a devastating earthquake zoning
after a devastating earthquake zoning
after a devastating earthquake zoning laws were also on my mind
laws were also on my mind
laws were also on my mind Puerto Ricans desperately asking FEMA to
Puerto Ricans desperately asking FEMA to
Puerto Ricans desperately asking FEMA to deliver humanitarian aid as fast as
deliver humanitarian aid as fast as
deliver humanitarian aid as fast as people in Texas and Florida received it
people in Texas and Florida received it
people in Texas and Florida received it brought to light a great disparity in
brought to light a great disparity in
brought to light a great disparity in the way the US government treats its
the way the US government treats its
the way the US government treats its people do we have 1st 2nd and maybe even
people do we have 1st 2nd and maybe even
people do we have 1st 2nd and maybe even 3rd class citizens and gun control was
3rd class citizens and gun control was
3rd class citizens and gun control was front and center in the Vegas massacre
front and center in the Vegas massacre
front and center in the Vegas massacre and the church shooting at Sutherland
and the church shooting at Sutherland
and the church shooting at Sutherland Springs Texas there are 88.8 guns for
Springs Texas there are 88.8 guns for
Springs Texas there are 88.8 guns for every 100 people in the United States
every 100 people in the United States
every 100 people in the United States the highest per capita rate in the world
the highest per capita rate in the world
the highest per capita rate in the world 22% of Americans own one or more guns so
22% of Americans own one or more guns so
22% of Americans own one or more guns so is this the Second Amendment debates or
is this the Second Amendment debates or
is this the Second Amendment debates or a multi-million dollar industry
a multi-million dollar industry
a multi-million dollar industry defending its turf I don’t dare have the
defending its turf I don’t dare have the
defending its turf I don’t dare have the answers to these questions but I will
answers to these questions but I will
answers to these questions but I will continue to ask them every time I get a
continue to ask them every time I get a
continue to ask them every time I get a chance and I will work very hard for us
chance and I will work very hard for us
chance and I will work very hard for us to remember the faces beyond the
to remember the faces beyond the
to remember the faces beyond the headlines again any day it can be you or
headlines again any day it can be you or
headlines again any day it can be you or me up there and last year it happened to
me up there and last year it happened to
me up there and last year it happened to me the story hit home for six months in
me the story hit home for six months in
me the story hit home for six months in my country of origin Venezuela hundreds
my country of origin Venezuela hundreds
my country of origin Venezuela hundreds and thousands of people from all walks
and thousands of people from all walks
and thousands of people from all walks of life took to the streets to protest
of life took to the streets to protest
of life took to the streets to protest the socialist government of Nicolas
the socialist government of Nicolas
the socialist government of Nicolas Maduro blaming his regime for the
Maduro blaming his regime for the
Maduro blaming his regime for the economic crisis that resulted in
economic crisis that resulted in
economic crisis that resulted in widespread food and medicine shortages
widespread food and medicine shortages
widespread food and medicine shortages and that is where I grew up it’s where
and that is where I grew up it’s where
and that is where I grew up it’s where my parents and most of my friends still
my parents and most of my friends still
my parents and most of my friends still live and as I was traveling the world
live and as I was traveling the world
live and as I was traveling the world covering all these other stories my
covering all these other stories my
covering all these other stories my people Mahane they were running for
people Mahane they were running for
people Mahane they were running for their lives the government security
their lives the government security
their lives the government security forces responded violently to the
forces responded violently to the
forces responded violently to the marches I of course requested to go
marches I of course requested to go
marches I of course requested to go cover the story I felt I knew more than
cover the story I felt I knew more than
cover the story I felt I knew more than anyone else why they were willing to die
anyone else why they were willing to die
anyone else why they were willing to die fighting for the most basic and
fighting for the most basic and
fighting for the most basic and essential human rights but I was told it
essential human rights but I was told it
essential human rights but I was told it was too
was too
was too dangerous plus there’s no American
dangerous plus there’s no American
dangerous plus there’s no American connection for months I watched other
connection for months I watched other
connection for months I watched other news outlets cover the Venezuela story
news outlets cover the Venezuela story
news outlets cover the Venezuela story some were really good others not so much
some were really good others not so much
some were really good others not so much but even as the death toll rose to over
but even as the death toll rose to over
but even as the death toll rose to over a hundred I knew the value of the story
a hundred I knew the value of the story
a hundred I knew the value of the story was fading the new cycle was spinning
was fading the new cycle was spinning
was fading the new cycle was spinning with the Russia investigation and
with the Russia investigation and
with the Russia investigation and tensions with North Korea the opioid
tensions with North Korea the opioid
tensions with North Korea the opioid epidemic and other equally important
epidemic and other equally important
epidemic and other equally important issues and after a while I honestly knew
issues and after a while I honestly knew
issues and after a while I honestly knew I had to let it go for my own sanity I
I had to let it go for my own sanity I
I had to let it go for my own sanity I especially needed not to think about it
especially needed not to think about it
especially needed not to think about it this one day I remember I had a photo
this one day I remember I had a photo
this one day I remember I had a photo shoot and I didn’t want to ruin the mood
shoot and I didn’t want to ruin the mood
shoot and I didn’t want to ruin the mood so I put my phone on silent when I
so I put my phone on silent when I
so I put my phone on silent when I finally picked it up hours later I
finally picked it up hours later I
finally picked it up hours later I realized they’d have been going off for
realized they’d have been going off for
realized they’d have been going off for a while and this name started popping up
a while and this name started popping up
a while and this name started popping up all over my messages a name I hadn’t
all over my messages a name I hadn’t
all over my messages a name I hadn’t heard in over 10 years
heard in over 10 years
heard in over 10 years Reinaldo Rueda he was my high school
Reinaldo Rueda he was my high school
Reinaldo Rueda he was my high school sweetheart and I knew that he was
sweetheart and I knew that he was
sweetheart and I knew that he was happily married and had two beautiful
happily married and had two beautiful
happily married and had two beautiful little girls the rest of the words
little girls the rest of the words
little girls the rest of the words followed like a cascade of nightmares
followed like a cascade of nightmares
followed like a cascade of nightmares Karolina Elena’s nephew brutally
Karolina Elena’s nephew brutally
Karolina Elena’s nephew brutally murdered in Venezuela my first love a
murdered in Venezuela my first love a
murdered in Venezuela my first love a victim of the violence I had failed to
victim of the violence I had failed to
victim of the violence I had failed to cover
cover
cover he was only 34 years old
he was only 34 years old
he was only 34 years old Leonardo was special he was noble kind
Leonardo was special he was noble kind
Leonardo was special he was noble kind physically he reminded me of Buzz
physically he reminded me of Buzz
physically he reminded me of Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story he was a class
Lightyear from Toy Story he was a class
Lightyear from Toy Story he was a class act with the sweetest smile his killers
act with the sweetest smile his killers
act with the sweetest smile his killers tortured him so much reports say they
tortured him so much reports say they
tortured him so much reports say they could barely recognize him when they
could barely recognize him when they
could barely recognize him when they found him and after that I knew I had to
found him and after that I knew I had to
found him and after that I knew I had to go to Venezuela I needed to be with my
go to Venezuela I needed to be with my
go to Venezuela I needed to be with my parents and my friends and see what they
parents and my friends and see what they
parents and my friends and see what they were living through my boss at NBC News
were living through my boss at NBC News
were living through my boss at NBC News was naturally concerned for my safety
was naturally concerned for my safety
was naturally concerned for my safety she made me promise not to go near the
she made me promise not to go near the
she made me promise not to go near the protests report on anything or post any
protests report on anything or post any
protests report on anything or post any information on social media about my
information on social media about my
information on social media about my trip
trip
trip it was torture but I had to comply and
it was torture but I had to comply and
it was torture but I had to comply and for the first time I felt like a tourist
for the first time I felt like a tourist
for the first time I felt like a tourist not a journalist I saw my beloved
not a journalist I saw my beloved
not a journalist I saw my beloved country it looked like a war zone
country it looked like a war zone
country it looked like a war zone students were dying every day and I
students were dying every day and I
students were dying every day and I couldn’t say a word and I remembered a
couldn’t say a word and I remembered a
couldn’t say a word and I remembered a quote by Maya Angelou there is no
quote by Maya Angelou there is no
quote by Maya Angelou there is no greater agony than bearing an untold
greater agony than bearing an untold
greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you
story inside of you
story inside of you I left Venezuela but Venezuela did not
I left Venezuela but Venezuela did not
I left Venezuela but Venezuela did not leave me
leave me
leave me whatever happened next I was going to do
whatever happened next I was going to do
whatever happened next I was going to do my very best to make people care about
my very best to make people care about
my very best to make people care about any given situation I had to report on I
any given situation I had to report on I
any given situation I had to report on I was going to show the same passion I
was going to show the same passion I
was going to show the same passion I wish to see in the reporters covering
wish to see in the reporters covering
wish to see in the reporters covering Venezuela’s crisis and instead of
Venezuela’s crisis and instead of
Venezuela’s crisis and instead of belonging to the imaginary Justice
belonging to the imaginary Justice
belonging to the imaginary Justice League I would do justice by my stories
League I would do justice by my stories
League I would do justice by my stories life went on political coverage this
life went on political coverage this
life went on political coverage this weird sonic attack in Cuba the solar
weird sonic attack in Cuba the solar
weird sonic attack in Cuba the solar eclipse of course and I kept busy until
eclipse of course and I kept busy until
eclipse of course and I kept busy until hurricane Harvey took me by storm quite
hurricane Harvey took me by storm quite
hurricane Harvey took me by storm quite literally we drove to Houston in the
literally we drove to Houston in the
literally we drove to Houston in the middle of the night two hundred thousand
middle of the night two hundred thousand
middle of the night two hundred thousand flooded homes in this one city alone
flooded homes in this one city alone
flooded homes in this one city alone people being rescued from drowning
people being rescued from drowning
people being rescued from drowning everyday shelters for those who lost
everyday shelters for those who lost
everyday shelters for those who lost everything bursting at the seams there
everything bursting at the seams there
everything bursting at the seams there were a ton of news crews in Houston the
were a ton of news crews in Houston the
were a ton of news crews in Houston the world was watching but they were missing
world was watching but they were missing
world was watching but they were missing a lot
a lot
a lot my producer Peter Shaw and I decided to
my producer Peter Shaw and I decided to
my producer Peter Shaw and I decided to drive south where smaller cities were
drive south where smaller cities were
drive south where smaller cities were going through similar conditions but
going through similar conditions but
going through similar conditions but fewer outlets were reporting I remember
fewer outlets were reporting I remember
fewer outlets were reporting I remember that one day I walked into this little
that one day I walked into this little
that one day I walked into this little hardware store it was the only place
hardware store it was the only place
hardware store it was the only place that was open and the owner goes they
that was open and the owner goes they
that was open and the owner goes they found something in the water nearby a
found something in the water nearby a
found something in the water nearby a body what I said a body that it’s two
body what I said a body that it’s two
body what I said a body that it’s two weeks after the storm I thought
weeks after the storm I thought
weeks after the storm I thought everybody had officially been accounted
everybody had officially been accounted
everybody had officially been accounted for sir can you help us find it we have
for sir can you help us find it we have
for sir can you help us find it we have to tell this story and he draws a map
to tell this story and he draws a map
to tell this story and he draws a map for us a map that led to the dead body
for us a map that led to the dead body
for us a map that led to the dead body Peter and I hop in the car we drive
Peter and I hop in the car we drive
Peter and I hop in the car we drive through the dirt road
through the dirt road
through the dirt road by nothing more than this ones piece of
by nothing more than this ones piece of
by nothing more than this ones piece of paper until finally we spot the police
paper until finally we spot the police
paper until finally we spot the police cars they had just taken the body out of
cars they had just taken the body out of
cars they had just taken the body out of the water people were still dying trying
the water people were still dying trying
the water people were still dying trying to find loved ones spend cheering out to
to find loved ones spend cheering out to
to find loved ones spend cheering out to get drinking water for their children
get drinking water for their children
get drinking water for their children but their stories weren’t being told
but their stories weren’t being told
but their stories weren’t being told these people were too far too few too
these people were too far too few too
these people were too far too few too poor I gave it my all and in the end we
poor I gave it my all and in the end we
poor I gave it my all and in the end we never found out who died how did they
never found out who died how did they
never found out who died how did they drown that they have any family did
drown that they have any family did
drown that they have any family did anyone care
anyone care
anyone care the police were reluctant to give out
the police were reluctant to give out
the police were reluctant to give out any information my story was incomplete
any information my story was incomplete
any information my story was incomplete but as I worked but a Naldo was in my
but as I worked but a Naldo was in my
but as I worked but a Naldo was in my thoughts I prayed for his soul I wanted
thoughts I prayed for his soul I wanted
thoughts I prayed for his soul I wanted him to know that he was a great gift in
him to know that he was a great gift in
him to know that he was a great gift in my life today you are remembered and you
my life today you are remembered and you
my life today you are remembered and you are loved you will not be forgotten I
are loved you will not be forgotten I
are loved you will not be forgotten I also prayed for that unknown victim
also prayed for that unknown victim
also prayed for that unknown victim hoping that someone would be feeling his
hoping that someone would be feeling his
hoping that someone would be feeling his or her loss as much as I was feeling the
or her loss as much as I was feeling the
or her loss as much as I was feeling the Renaldo’s we weren’t even done in Texas
Renaldo’s we weren’t even done in Texas
Renaldo’s we weren’t even done in Texas when they asked us to head into another
when they asked us to head into another
when they asked us to head into another massive storm hurricane Irma and Florida
massive storm hurricane Irma and Florida
massive storm hurricane Irma and Florida this time we were there beforehand in
this time we were there beforehand in
this time we were there beforehand in place in Miami Beach as hurricane storm
place in Miami Beach as hurricane storm
place in Miami Beach as hurricane storm winds almost blew us away
winds almost blew us away
winds almost blew us away I remember the sand pounded my face and
I remember the sand pounded my face and
I remember the sand pounded my face and body to the point where it was hard to
body to the point where it was hard to
body to the point where it was hard to move we were live in the middle of the
move we were live in the middle of the
move we were live in the middle of the Today Show on NBC and then Peter was
Today Show on NBC and then Peter was
Today Show on NBC and then Peter was yelling for me to get back in the car
yelling for me to get back in the car
yelling for me to get back in the car and so I spot him a man no jacket no
and so I spot him a man no jacket no
and so I spot him a man no jacket no shoes probably homeless like a leaf
shoes probably homeless like a leaf
shoes probably homeless like a leaf drifting in the wind I talked about him
drifting in the wind I talked about him
drifting in the wind I talked about him on the air I had to millions of people
on the air I had to millions of people
on the air I had to millions of people watched as he held on to a boarded up
watched as he held on to a boarded up
watched as he held on to a boarded up TGI Fridays holding on to his life
TGI Fridays holding on to his life
TGI Fridays holding on to his life we were about 150 feet away from him on
we were about 150 feet away from him on
we were about 150 feet away from him on a parking structure trying to get down
a parking structure trying to get down
a parking structure trying to get down but with the wind and the debris it felt
but with the wind and the debris it felt
but with the wind and the debris it felt like a hundred and fifty miles I called
like a hundred and fifty miles I called
like a hundred and fifty miles I called the authorities Ocean Drive and fifth
the authorities Ocean Drive and fifth
the authorities Ocean Drive and fifth were trying to get to him but please
were trying to get to him but please
were trying to get to him but please come fast
come fast
come fast and when I glanced back down he was gone
and when I glanced back down he was gone
and when I glanced back down he was gone disappeared without a trace I felt I had
disappeared without a trace I felt I had
disappeared without a trace I felt I had failed again sure I told the world about
failed again sure I told the world about
failed again sure I told the world about him but had I really done anything to
him but had I really done anything to
him but had I really done anything to help him without ever knowing him this
help him without ever knowing him this
help him without ever knowing him this man left a profound impression on me
man left a profound impression on me
man left a profound impression on me I need her looked at the recording of
I need her looked at the recording of
I need her looked at the recording of that day and I felt sick at how detached
that day and I felt sick at how detached
that day and I felt sick at how detached I looked that’s not how I felt at all
I looked that’s not how I felt at all
I looked that’s not how I felt at all but some people on social media even
but some people on social media even
but some people on social media even said that I probably didn’t care because
said that I probably didn’t care because
said that I probably didn’t care because he was homeless as human beings we are
he was homeless as human beings we are
he was homeless as human beings we are often confronted with labels poor
often confronted with labels poor
often confronted with labels poor immigrant gay mentally ill homeless we
immigrant gay mentally ill homeless we
immigrant gay mentally ill homeless we see labels in others and that’s how
see labels in others and that’s how
see labels in others and that’s how others see us I have several immigrants
others see us I have several immigrants
others see us I have several immigrants latina short maybe not Wonder Woman but
latina short maybe not Wonder Woman but
latina short maybe not Wonder Woman but I can find the truth without a magic
I can find the truth without a magic
I can find the truth without a magic lasso and I can still rock shining
lasso and I can still rock shining
lasso and I can still rock shining bracelets we have to remind ourselves to
bracelets we have to remind ourselves to
bracelets we have to remind ourselves to see people not labels as storytellers we
see people not labels as storytellers we
see people not labels as storytellers we have to communicate how we feel we have
have to communicate how we feel we have
have to communicate how we feel we have to make the pain real to the viewers
to make the pain real to the viewers
to make the pain real to the viewers because if we remain emotionless
because if we remain emotionless
because if we remain emotionless so will the audience long gone is the
so will the audience long gone is the
so will the audience long gone is the era of the cold reporter who couldn’t
era of the cold reporter who couldn’t
era of the cold reporter who couldn’t express any feelings I believe that
express any feelings I believe that
express any feelings I believe that objectivity and compassion go hand in
objectivity and compassion go hand in
objectivity and compassion go hand in hand
hand
hand just one week later my team was in a
just one week later my team was in a
just one week later my team was in a different country after a magnitude 7.1
different country after a magnitude 7.1
different country after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake shattered Mexico City
earthquake shattered Mexico City
earthquake shattered Mexico City hundreds dead children crushed in their
hundreds dead children crushed in their
hundreds dead children crushed in their own school volunteers and dogs sniffling
own school volunteers and dogs sniffling
own school volunteers and dogs sniffling for life there was still hope
for life there was still hope
for life there was still hope because dozens were trapped underneath
because dozens were trapped underneath
because dozens were trapped underneath the rubble we spent entire days on these
the rubble we spent entire days on these
the rubble we spent entire days on these rescue sites broadcasting the dread but
rescue sites broadcasting the dread but
rescue sites broadcasting the dread but also the hope as I was translating live
also the hope as I was translating live
also the hope as I was translating live from Spanish to English I think it had
from Spanish to English I think it had
from Spanish to English I think it had never been done before for that long
never been done before for that long
never been done before for that long live on an American network on day four
live on an American network on day four
live on an American network on day four I interviewed the father of one of the
I interviewed the father of one of the
I interviewed the father of one of the children who died at the Enrica Rebbe
children who died at the Enrica Rebbe
children who died at the Enrica Rebbe some in primary school his son’s
some in primary school his son’s
some in primary school his son’s nickname was poquito and he was just
nickname was poquito and he was just
nickname was poquito and he was just seven-years-old Iquitos dad told me you
seven-years-old Iquitos dad told me you
seven-years-old Iquitos dad told me you know my son he was an amazing kid Oh
know my son he was an amazing kid Oh
know my son he was an amazing kid Oh bleep ah so he said and now he’s gone
bleep ah so he said and now he’s gone
bleep ah so he said and now he’s gone tears roll down his eyes as the camera
tears roll down his eyes as the camera
tears roll down his eyes as the camera kept rolling too but at that moment
kept rolling too but at that moment
kept rolling too but at that moment Paquita father in that church on the
Paquita father in that church on the
Paquita father in that church on the outskirts of Mexico City used his voice
outskirts of Mexico City used his voice
outskirts of Mexico City used his voice to make people thousands of miles away
to make people thousands of miles away
to make people thousands of miles away connect to a loss that wasn’t theirs we
connect to a loss that wasn’t theirs we
connect to a loss that wasn’t theirs we may not have all experienced a massive
may not have all experienced a massive
may not have all experienced a massive earthquake but we all know what loss
earthquake but we all know what loss
earthquake but we all know what loss feels like I thanked him after the
feels like I thanked him after the
feels like I thanked him after the interview for opening his heart to a
interview for opening his heart to a
interview for opening his heart to a stranger on the worst day of his life
stranger on the worst day of his life
stranger on the worst day of his life and when I left Mexico City I felt I had
and when I left Mexico City I felt I had
and when I left Mexico City I felt I had finally told a story the way it deserved
finally told a story the way it deserved
finally told a story the way it deserved to be told
to be told
to be told humbly with raw emotion that really
humbly with raw emotion that really
humbly with raw emotion that really needed no translation in the end we are
needed no translation in the end we are
needed no translation in the end we are human beings using our voice our super
human beings using our voice our super
human beings using our voice our super power to tell the story of our kind my
power to tell the story of our kind my
power to tell the story of our kind my team got sent on one final assignment
team got sent on one final assignment
team got sent on one final assignment that summer the beautiful island of
that summer the beautiful island of
that summer the beautiful island of Puerto Rico that was in one word
Puerto Rico that was in one word
Puerto Rico that was in one word devastated after Hurricane Maria I spent
devastated after Hurricane Maria I spent
devastated after Hurricane Maria I spent weeks talking to what equus who not only
weeks talking to what equus who not only
weeks talking to what equus who not only lost their homes but their entire way of
lost their homes but their entire way of
lost their homes but their entire way of life the biggest complaint that being
life the biggest complaint that being
life the biggest complaint that being American citizens they weren’t being
American citizens they weren’t being
American citizens they weren’t being treated as such
treated as such
treated as such actually polls show that almost half of
actually polls show that almost half of
actually polls show that almost half of Americans don’t know Puerto Ricans are
Americans don’t know Puerto Ricans are
Americans don’t know Puerto Ricans are US citizens and I have to admit that at
US citizens and I have to admit that at
US citizens and I have to admit that at that point I was physically and
that point I was physically and
that point I was physically and emotionally exhausted I didn’t know what
emotionally exhausted I didn’t know what
emotionally exhausted I didn’t know what else I could do news of President Trump
else I could do news of President Trump
else I could do news of President Trump throwing paper towels and imitating a
throwing paper towels and imitating a
throwing paper towels and imitating a Puerto Rico accent made headlines but I
Puerto Rico accent made headlines but I
Puerto Rico accent made headlines but I know the story was getting it’s
know the story was getting it’s
know the story was getting it’s expiration date and as much as it was
expiration date and as much as it was
expiration date and as much as it was about home the United States there was
about home the United States there was
about home the United States there was no cultural affinity one day I was
no cultural affinity one day I was
no cultural affinity one day I was walking down this line of about 5,000
walking down this line of about 5,000
walking down this line of about 5,000 people desperate for food and ice and
people desperate for food and ice and
people desperate for food and ice and water and I think
water and I think
water and I think realized that I was at my wit’s end
realized that I was at my wit’s end
realized that I was at my wit’s end because when they saw me recording as I
because when they saw me recording as I
because when they saw me recording as I walked down they started circling around
walked down they started circling around
walked down they started circling around me and some started clapping and hugging
me and some started clapping and hugging
me and some started clapping and hugging each other and they yelled quanto Rico
each other and they yelled quanto Rico
each other and they yelled quanto Rico Salamanca Puerto Rico Rises and that
Salamanca Puerto Rico Rises and that
Salamanca Puerto Rico Rises and that gave me the strength to bring their
gave me the strength to bring their
gave me the strength to bring their spirit to TV and social media and here
spirit to TV and social media and here
spirit to TV and social media and here to TED talks I want to share that lesson
to TED talks I want to share that lesson
to TED talks I want to share that lesson with you today resilience the human
with you today resilience the human
with you today resilience the human ability to adapt and overcome the
ability to adapt and overcome the
ability to adapt and overcome the circumstances and may I add doing it
circumstances and may I add doing it
circumstances and may I add doing it gracefully when I look back at the last
gracefully when I look back at the last
gracefully when I look back at the last year I think about all the stories I
year I think about all the stories I
year I think about all the stories I didn’t get to cover the brutal
didn’t get to cover the brutal
didn’t get to cover the brutal displacement of the Rohingya Muslims in
displacement of the Rohingya Muslims in
displacement of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar the terrorist attack in
Myanmar the terrorist attack in
Myanmar the terrorist attack in Barcelona the Middle East reaction to
Barcelona the Middle East reaction to
Barcelona the Middle East reaction to the US Embassy in Jerusalem I know I
the US Embassy in Jerusalem I know I
the US Embassy in Jerusalem I know I could have done so much more but today I
could have done so much more but today I
could have done so much more but today I also know that quality over quantity is
also know that quality over quantity is
also know that quality over quantity is not a cliche it is the most respectful
not a cliche it is the most respectful
not a cliche it is the most respectful way to show that we care I got to spend
way to show that we care I got to spend
way to show that we care I got to spend time I got to form a bond with the
time I got to form a bond with the
time I got to form a bond with the protagonists of my stories they left an
protagonists of my stories they left an
protagonists of my stories they left an imprint that will never fade telling
imprint that will never fade telling
imprint that will never fade telling their stories was a privilege I was
their stories was a privilege I was
their stories was a privilege I was willing to fight for now think about
willing to fight for now think about
willing to fight for now think about what you are willing to fight for and go
what you are willing to fight for and go
what you are willing to fight for and go ahead and do it all you need to do is
ahead and do it all you need to do is
ahead and do it all you need to do is care enough to come forward like the
care enough to come forward like the
care enough to come forward like the women who are saying me too and the
women who are saying me too and the
women who are saying me too and the dreamers who refuse to yield you can
dreamers who refuse to yield you can
dreamers who refuse to yield you can change the future you can write your own
change the future you can write your own
change the future you can write your own story and be a superhero for one person
story and be a superhero for one person
story and be a superhero for one person or for millions the choice is only yours
or for millions the choice is only yours
or for millions the choice is only yours thank you so much
”
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