[Applause] twelve years ago on a hot sticky August
twelve years ago on a hot sticky August
twelve years ago on a hot sticky August night I began to learn the difference
night I began to learn the difference
night I began to learn the difference between duty and inspiration and it
between duty and inspiration and it
between duty and inspiration and it taught me a lot about what we need to do
taught me a lot about what we need to do
taught me a lot about what we need to do today I was mayor of Minneapolis back
today I was mayor of Minneapolis back
today I was mayor of Minneapolis back then on that day in August when the
then on that day in August when the
then on that day in August when the i-35w bridge collapsed and on that day
i-35w bridge collapsed and on that day
i-35w bridge collapsed and on that day thirteen people died and hundreds were
thirteen people died and hundreds were
thirteen people died and hundreds were injured and yet it would have been a lot
injured and yet it would have been a lot
injured and yet it would have been a lot worse if not for the incredible heroism
worse if not for the incredible heroism
worse if not for the incredible heroism that we saw for Minnesotans they dove
that we saw for Minnesotans they dove
that we saw for Minnesotans they dove into the water to save people from
into the water to save people from
into the water to save people from drowning they walked out into the bridge
drowning they walked out into the bridge
drowning they walked out into the bridge and risk their own live because there
and risk their own live because there
and risk their own live because there were school kids on a bus that was
were school kids on a bus that was
were school kids on a bus that was precariously perched on the edge of that
precariously perched on the edge of that
precariously perched on the edge of that bridge I will never forget the looks in
bridge I will never forget the looks in
bridge I will never forget the looks in the eyes of the family that expected
the eyes of the family that expected
the eyes of the family that expected their mom and their wife home for dinner
their mom and their wife home for dinner
their mom and their wife home for dinner now coming to terms with the fact that
now coming to terms with the fact that
now coming to terms with the fact that she was dead
she was dead
she was dead and yet somehow they set that aside and
and yet somehow they set that aside and
and yet somehow they set that aside and turn to the table next to them and
turn to the table next to them and
turn to the table next to them and helped a man who was coming to terms
helped a man who was coming to terms
helped a man who was coming to terms with his own brother who was dead
with his own brother who was dead
with his own brother who was dead Minnesotans did not run from danger
Minnesotans did not run from danger
Minnesotans did not run from danger Minnesotans ran to help because it was
Minnesotans ran to help because it was
Minnesotans ran to help because it was their duty it was an incredible thing
their duty it was an incredible thing
their duty it was an incredible thing that happened but then we set out to do
that happened but then we set out to do
that happened but then we set out to do something that was an even bolder vision
something that was an even bolder vision
something that was an even bolder vision we decided that we would build a bridge
we decided that we would build a bridge
we decided that we would build a bridge in one year’s time that may not sound
in one year’s time that may not sound
in one year’s time that may not sound like a lot but anybody who knows
like a lot but anybody who knows
like a lot but anybody who knows anything about it knows it would take at
anything about it knows it would take at
anything about it knows it would take at a minimum three years if you could
a minimum three years if you could
a minimum three years if you could possibly get everyone working together
possibly get everyone working together
possibly get everyone working together but we did that we got all those
but we did that we got all those
but we did that we got all those overlapping bureaucracies the scores of
overlapping bureaucracies the scores of
overlapping bureaucracies the scores of people who have something to say about
people who have something to say about
people who have something to say about the Mississippi River the architects the
the Mississippi River the architects the
the Mississippi River the architects the engineers the community groups and get
engineers the community groups and get
engineers the community groups and get this
this
this we got Republicans and Democrats
we got Republicans and Democrats
we got Republicans and Democrats including the governor and including me
including the governor and including me
including the governor and including me to somehow find a way to be on the same
to somehow find a way to be on the same
to somehow find a way to be on the same side and we we we built that bridge in
side and we we we built that bridge in
side and we we we built that bridge in one year’s time it taught me that it was
one year’s time it taught me that it was
one year’s time it taught me that it was important that it was our duty but more
important that it was our duty but more
important that it was our duty but more that we had a vision an inspiring vision
that we had a vision an inspiring vision
that we had a vision an inspiring vision where we looked up and saw a vision
where we looked up and saw a vision
where we looked up and saw a vision together that said we could somehow
together that said we could somehow
together that said we could somehow create common ground when a calm
create common ground when a calm
create common ground when a calm ground head shook and I don’t tell you
ground head shook and I don’t tell you
ground head shook and I don’t tell you now because I want to relive the trauma
now because I want to relive the trauma
now because I want to relive the trauma of that day no one does but I tell you
of that day no one does but I tell you
of that day no one does but I tell you because of the lesson I learned that
because of the lesson I learned that
because of the lesson I learned that Duty is important but inspiration is
Duty is important but inspiration is
Duty is important but inspiration is even more powerful and it’s more
even more powerful and it’s more
even more powerful and it’s more powerful when you apply it to the two
powerful when you apply it to the two
powerful when you apply it to the two biggest issues that we face in this
biggest issues that we face in this
biggest issues that we face in this community today the first of those is
community today the first of those is
community today the first of those is the unacceptable achievement gap in our
the unacceptable achievement gap in our
the unacceptable achievement gap in our schools that shows that the outcomes for
schools that shows that the outcomes for
schools that shows that the outcomes for kids in our schools are dramatically
kids in our schools are dramatically
kids in our schools are dramatically different along racial lines and the
different along racial lines and the
different along racial lines and the second issue is the fact that we face a
second issue is the fact that we face a
second issue is the fact that we face a looming worker shortage that threatens
looming worker shortage that threatens
looming worker shortage that threatens to grind our economy to a halt now I
to grind our economy to a halt now I
to grind our economy to a halt now I believe it is absolutely our duty to
believe it is absolutely our duty to
believe it is absolutely our duty to make sure that this community is no
make sure that this community is no
make sure that this community is no longer a place where you can predict the
longer a place where you can predict the
longer a place where you can predict the likelihood of a child’s success by
likelihood of a child’s success by
likelihood of a child’s success by looking at the color of their skin and I
looking at the color of their skin and I
looking at the color of their skin and I believe it is also our duty to ensure
believe it is also our duty to ensure
believe it is also our duty to ensure that we’re not mortgaging our kids
that we’re not mortgaging our kids
that we’re not mortgaging our kids future because we didn’t do what we had
future because we didn’t do what we had
future because we didn’t do what we had to do to plan an economy for the future
to do to plan an economy for the future
to do to plan an economy for the future that is our duty but the powerful point
that is our duty but the powerful point
that is our duty but the powerful point is that behind both of those issues
is that behind both of those issues
is that behind both of those issues the further you dig the more you realize
the further you dig the more you realize
the further you dig the more you realize they’re the same issue and there’s an
they’re the same issue and there’s an
they’re the same issue and there’s an inspirational vision that can help us
inspirational vision that can help us
inspirational vision that can help us solve them both and here’s what I mean
solve them both and here’s what I mean
solve them both and here’s what I mean the worker shortage that we have is 100%
the worker shortage that we have is 100%
the worker shortage that we have is 100% about race now back in the 1990’s we
about race now back in the 1990’s we
about race now back in the 1990’s we were producing about 54,000 new workers
were producing about 54,000 new workers
were producing about 54,000 new workers a day as the baby boom was just coming
a day as the baby boom was just coming
a day as the baby boom was just coming into the middle of the workforce by the
into the middle of the workforce by the
into the middle of the workforce by the 2000s we were down to 34,000 a year
2000s we were down to 34,000 a year
2000s we were down to 34,000 a year between 2015 and 2025 we will be
between 2015 and 2025 we will be
between 2015 and 2025 we will be producing only 6,000 workers a year now
producing only 6,000 workers a year now
producing only 6,000 workers a year now let’s bring race into that equation if
let’s bring race into that equation if
let’s bring race into that equation if you didn’t include people of color in
you didn’t include people of color in
you didn’t include people of color in that we would already be at negative
that we would already be at negative
that we would already be at negative growth 100% of the employment growth
growth 100% of the employment growth
growth 100% of the employment growth that we will have is people of color
that we will have is people of color
that we will have is people of color which also means that the very people we
which also means that the very people we
which also means that the very people we are depending on to make this economy go
are depending on to make this economy go
are depending on to make this economy go are also the very people who are being
are also the very people who are being
are also the very people who are being failed by our schools it is 100% about
failed by our schools it is 100% about
failed by our schools it is 100% about trying to solve the issues together so
trying to solve the issues together so
trying to solve the issues together so you ask yourself if this is the biggest
you ask yourself if this is the biggest
you ask yourself if this is the biggest issue we face why aren’t we talking
issue we face why aren’t we talking
issue we face why aren’t we talking about this every single day why aren’t
about this every single day why aren’t
about this every single day why aren’t we putting the money toward it that we
we putting the money toward it that we
we putting the money toward it that we need to and probably even more important
need to and probably even more important
need to and probably even more important why are we not willing to disrupt the
why are we not willing to disrupt the
why are we not willing to disrupt the systems that are failing too many of our
systems that are failing too many of our
systems that are failing too many of our kids well this isn’t a new issue to me
kids well this isn’t a new issue to me
kids well this isn’t a new issue to me I’ve spent a lot of time on this as a
I’ve spent a lot of time on this as a
I’ve spent a lot of time on this as a mayor now is at the Minneapolis
mayor now is at the Minneapolis
mayor now is at the Minneapolis Foundation and especially in between
Foundation and especially in between
Foundation and especially in between those two jobs when I led Generation
those two jobs when I led Generation
those two jobs when I led Generation Next which was a coalition of
Next which was a coalition of
Next which was a coalition of public/private partners in this
public/private partners in this
public/private partners in this community focused especially on closing
community focused especially on closing
community focused especially on closing this achievement gap and I can tell you
this achievement gap and I can tell you
this achievement gap and I can tell you from that that there are so many people
from that that there are so many people
from that that there are so many people doing incredible work out there with
doing incredible work out there with
doing incredible work out there with their hearts but I did come to a
their hearts but I did come to a
their hearts but I did come to a conclusion that was pretty unsettling I
conclusion that was pretty unsettling I
conclusion that was pretty unsettling I recognized that one of the reasons why
recognized that one of the reasons why
recognized that one of the reasons why we’re not doing all that we need to
we’re not doing all that we need to
we’re not doing all that we need to every day every one of us is because I
every day every one of us is because I
every day every one of us is because I honestly don’t believe we believe we can
honestly don’t believe we believe we can
honestly don’t believe we believe we can solve this problem I believe we need to
solve this problem I believe we need to
solve this problem I believe we need to manage it but people don’t see that we
manage it but people don’t see that we
manage it but people don’t see that we can actually win and I believe the
can actually win and I believe the
can actually win and I believe the reason for that is because people keep
reason for that is because people keep
reason for that is because people keep looking for that one thing that’s going
looking for that one thing that’s going
looking for that one thing that’s going to solve this problem I can’t tell you
to solve this problem I can’t tell you
to solve this problem I can’t tell you how many times people said to me give me
how many times people said to me give me
how many times people said to me give me the one thing it’ll take to close the
the one thing it’ll take to close the
the one thing it’ll take to close the achievement gap well right now I could
achievement gap well right now I could
achievement gap well right now I could give you the one thing it’ll take to
give you the one thing it’ll take to
give you the one thing it’ll take to close the achievement gap as soon as one
close the achievement gap as soon as one
close the achievement gap as soon as one of you can give me the one ingredient it
of you can give me the one ingredient it
of you can give me the one ingredient it takes to bake a cake the fact of the
takes to bake a cake the fact of the
takes to bake a cake the fact of the matter is there is no one big thing it’s
matter is there is no one big thing it’s
matter is there is no one big thing it’s a recipe for success and the good news
a recipe for success and the good news
a recipe for success and the good news is the ingredients are starting to be in
is the ingredients are starting to be in
is the ingredients are starting to be in place a lot is working the first
place a lot is working the first
place a lot is working the first ingredient is to start early now I love
ingredient is to start early now I love
ingredient is to start early now I love being in a state like Minnesota where
being in a state like Minnesota where
being in a state like Minnesota where the largest political debate is not
the largest political debate is not
the largest political debate is not about whether we should invest in early
about whether we should invest in early
about whether we should invest in early childhood but about whether we should
childhood but about whether we should
childhood but about whether we should invest millions in all-day kindergarten
invest millions in all-day kindergarten
invest millions in all-day kindergarten or millions in targeted preschool
or millions in targeted preschool
or millions in targeted preschool scholarships for kids most
scholarships for kids most
scholarships for kids most need you know what’s great the answer is
need you know what’s great the answer is
need you know what’s great the answer is they’re both right you know what’s even
they’re both right you know what’s even
they’re both right you know what’s even better this state has invested millions
better this state has invested millions
better this state has invested millions more in both of them and we’re moving to
more in both of them and we’re moving to
more in both of them and we’re moving to improve the quality of every kid because
improve the quality of every kid because
improve the quality of every kid because we recognize you start early and that’s
we recognize you start early and that’s
we recognize you start early and that’s why it’s also so great they have the
why it’s also so great they have the
why it’s also so great they have the Northside achievement Zone in
Northside achievement Zone in
Northside achievement Zone in Minneapolis and st. Paul’s Promise
Minneapolis and st. Paul’s Promise
Minneapolis and st. Paul’s Promise Neighborhood two of the best examples in
Neighborhood two of the best examples in
Neighborhood two of the best examples in this country of what we learn at the
this country of what we learn at the
this country of what we learn at the Harlem Children’s Zone which said draw a
Harlem Children’s Zone which said draw a
Harlem Children’s Zone which said draw a circle around the parts of your
circle around the parts of your
circle around the parts of your community that have the greatest needs
community that have the greatest needs
community that have the greatest needs surround those parents right when the
surround those parents right when the
surround those parents right when the kids are born with the supports they
kids are born with the supports they
kids are born with the supports they need and carry that right into school we
need and carry that right into school we
need and carry that right into school we are succeeding because we start early we
are succeeding because we start early we
are succeeding because we start early we also have to recognize we can’t let
also have to recognize we can’t let
also have to recognize we can’t let anyone slip through the cracks not only
anyone slip through the cracks not only
anyone slip through the cracks not only is it wrong but we can’t afford to waste
is it wrong but we can’t afford to waste
is it wrong but we can’t afford to waste anybody so let me tell you some
anybody so let me tell you some
anybody so let me tell you some interesting research these brilliant
interesting research these brilliant
interesting research these brilliant researchers at the University of Chicago
researchers at the University of Chicago
researchers at the University of Chicago said why are so many kids not graduating
said why are so many kids not graduating
said why are so many kids not graduating especially why are so many kids not
especially why are so many kids not
especially why are so many kids not graduating and they looked at a lot of
graduating and they looked at a lot of
graduating and they looked at a lot of factors there’s a lot of factors in in
factors there’s a lot of factors in in
factors there’s a lot of factors in in school out of school with it with
school out of school with it with
school out of school with it with individual kids about pregnancy about
individual kids about pregnancy about
individual kids about pregnancy about racism about mobility all sorts of
racism about mobility all sorts of
racism about mobility all sorts of factors but you know what they found out
factors but you know what they found out
factors but you know what they found out the single most important factor for a
the single most important factor for a
the single most important factor for a kidnapper age of graduating from high
kidnapper age of graduating from high
kidnapper age of graduating from high school is gonna get a drumroll please
school is gonna get a drumroll please
school is gonna get a drumroll please they don’t have enough credits now that
they don’t have enough credits now that
they don’t have enough credits now that didn’t take a rocket science to figure
didn’t take a rocket science to figure
didn’t take a rocket science to figure that out right okay but then these
that out right okay but then these
that out right okay but then these brilliant people asked the next question
brilliant people asked the next question
brilliant people asked the next question how do we count credits and they
how do we count credits and they
how do we count credits and they recognized the schools really don’t have
recognized the schools really don’t have
recognized the schools really don’t have a great system for that certainly the
a great system for that certainly the
a great system for that certainly the kids don’t and certainly the parents
kids don’t and certainly the parents
kids don’t and certainly the parents don’t and certainly the out of school
don’t and certainly the out of school
don’t and certainly the out of school people don’t and what they did at
people don’t and what they did at
people don’t and what they did at Chicago we’re now doing here it’s called
Chicago we’re now doing here it’s called
Chicago we’re now doing here it’s called on track and it sets up the technology
on track and it sets up the technology
on track and it sets up the technology and the partnership so we’re not waiting
and the partnership so we’re not waiting
and the partnership so we’re not waiting to that kid wanders into the counselor’s
to that kid wanders into the counselor’s
to that kid wanders into the counselor’s office a few hours before a graduation
office a few hours before a graduation
office a few hours before a graduation and said I didn’t pass the math class in
and said I didn’t pass the math class in
and said I didn’t pass the math class in freshman year we say back when you don’t
freshman year we say back when you don’t
freshman year we say back when you don’t pass the English test in ninth grade an
pass the English test in ninth grade an
pass the English test in ninth grade an alert goes off in school out of school
alert goes off in school out of school
alert goes off in school out of school parents teachers everyone knows and we
parents teachers everyone knows and we
parents teachers everyone knows and we get that kid
get that kid
get that kid back on track we cannot let a single kid
back on track we cannot let a single kid
back on track we cannot let a single kid slip through the cracks and the next
slip through the cracks and the next
slip through the cracks and the next thing we have to do is to make sure we
thing we have to do is to make sure we
thing we have to do is to make sure we create pathways for success now as
create pathways for success now as
create pathways for success now as adults we recognize it’s hard enough for
adults we recognize it’s hard enough for
adults we recognize it’s hard enough for us to figure out how to plan our career
us to figure out how to plan our career
us to figure out how to plan our career it’s tougher as an adolescent and it’s
it’s tougher as an adolescent and it’s
it’s tougher as an adolescent and it’s even tougher for them to figure out how
even tougher for them to figure out how
even tougher for them to figure out how to get the work experience they need to
to get the work experience they need to
to get the work experience they need to be able to build a resume and get that
be able to build a resume and get that
be able to build a resume and get that first step on the ladder that’s why in
first step on the ladder that’s why in
first step on the ladder that’s why in 2003 we developed step up it’s a summer
2003 we developed step up it’s a summer
2003 we developed step up it’s a summer job program we have the graduation just
job program we have the graduation just
job program we have the graduation just yesterday and as of yesterday over these
yesterday and as of yesterday over these
yesterday and as of yesterday over these years we have now put 28 thousand young
years we have now put 28 thousand young
years we have now put 28 thousand young people into high-quality jobs in almost
people into high-quality jobs in almost
people into high-quality jobs in almost every great organization in this
every great organization in this
every great organization in this community and you know what’s even
community and you know what’s even
community and you know what’s even better ninety percent of those are kids
better ninety percent of those are kids
better ninety percent of those are kids below the poverty line eighty percent
below the poverty line eighty percent
below the poverty line eighty percent are kids of color fifty percent our kids
are kids of color fifty percent our kids
are kids of color fifty percent our kids from first or second generation
from first or second generation
from first or second generation immigrant families we are creating
immigrant families we are creating
immigrant families we are creating pathways that kids can understand and
pathways that kids can understand and
pathways that kids can understand and they are succeeding and we also have to
they are succeeding and we also have to
they are succeeding and we also have to never give up never give up on any kid
never give up never give up on any kid
never give up never give up on any kid and that’s why I love some of the
and that’s why I love some of the
and that’s why I love some of the contract alternative schools in
contract alternative schools in
contract alternative schools in Minneapolis that’s why one of them from
Minneapolis that’s why one of them from
Minneapolis that’s why one of them from a Christian youth center they’ve every
a Christian youth center they’ve every
a Christian youth center they’ve every graduation they prove a pretty simple
graduation they prove a pretty simple
graduation they prove a pretty simple thing that is so profound they show that
thing that is so profound they show that
thing that is so profound they show that a kid who’s not succeeding in a
a kid who’s not succeeding in a
a kid who’s not succeeding in a traditional school environment may just
traditional school environment may just
traditional school environment may just need another environment that’s why I
need another environment that’s why I
need another environment that’s why I love project for pride livings new
love project for pride livings new
love project for pride livings new program that helps kids coming out of
program that helps kids coming out of
program that helps kids coming out of the criminal justice system get back
the criminal justice system get back
the criminal justice system get back into the school and graduate never give
into the school and graduate never give
into the school and graduate never give up on anyone now the last point is
up on anyone now the last point is
up on anyone now the last point is probably the most important people are
probably the most important people are
probably the most important people are not problems to solve to address this I
not problems to solve to address this I
not problems to solve to address this I want to make our problem that we’re
want to make our problem that we’re
want to make our problem that we’re looking at a little bit harder here we
looking at a little bit harder here we
looking at a little bit harder here we not only need numbers of workers we need
not only need numbers of workers we need
not only need numbers of workers we need a different kind of worker and the
a different kind of worker and the
a different kind of worker and the different kind of worker that we need is
different kind of worker that we need is
different kind of worker that we need is the kind that we can send in to Best Buy
the kind that we can send in to Best Buy
the kind that we can send in to Best Buy or Target and immediately understand how
or Target and immediately understand how
or Target and immediately understand how to relate to their rapidly diversifying
to relate to their rapidly diversifying
to relate to their rapidly diversifying customer base we need the new kind of
customer base we need the new kind of
customer base we need the new kind of worker who some of our global companies
worker who some of our global companies
worker who some of our global companies 3m carb
3m carb
3m carb medtronic Neiman who can they send
medtronic Neiman who can they send
medtronic Neiman who can they send around the world into places where
around the world into places where
around the world into places where they’re not thrown off by the fact that
they’re not thrown off by the fact that
they’re not thrown off by the fact that they’re not part of the majority culture
they’re not part of the majority culture
they’re not part of the majority culture now we’re in world would we find kids
now we’re in world would we find kids
now we’re in world would we find kids like that well we happen to live in
like that well we happen to live in
like that well we happen to live in Minnesota which has lived the values of
Minnesota which has lived the values of
Minnesota which has lived the values of the Statue of Liberty better than almost
the Statue of Liberty better than almost
the Statue of Liberty better than almost any community in the country wave after
any community in the country wave after
any community in the country wave after wave a great emigration has come here
wave a great emigration has come here
wave a great emigration has come here from Southeast Asia from Africa from
from Southeast Asia from Africa from
from Southeast Asia from Africa from Central America we have done it the
Central America we have done it the
Central America we have done it the right way and by doing that we have a
right way and by doing that we have a
right way and by doing that we have a workforce that is a global goldmine
workforce that is a global goldmine
workforce that is a global goldmine language skills cultural skills right
language skills cultural skills right
language skills cultural skills right here and it’s not just people who’ve
here and it’s not just people who’ve
here and it’s not just people who’ve arrived recently in a generation or two
arrived recently in a generation or two
arrived recently in a generation or two stop and think about the
stop and think about the
stop and think about the african-american boy in North
african-american boy in North
african-american boy in North Minneapolis who goes from his
Minneapolis who goes from his
Minneapolis who goes from his neighborhood across town to a school in
neighborhood across town to a school in
neighborhood across town to a school in a radically different neighborhood who
a radically different neighborhood who
a radically different neighborhood who goes downtown to there step-up job and
goes downtown to there step-up job and
goes downtown to there step-up job and back home that kid can teach us how to
back home that kid can teach us how to
back home that kid can teach us how to code shift and this isn’t just about
code shift and this isn’t just about
code shift and this isn’t just about those kids look at me I’m a 61 and a
those kids look at me I’m a 61 and a
those kids look at me I’m a 61 and a half year old white guy who’s lived
half year old white guy who’s lived
half year old white guy who’s lived almost his entire life in a place where
almost his entire life in a place where
almost his entire life in a place where I’m part of the majority culture unless
I’m part of the majority culture unless
I’m part of the majority culture unless people like me get a radical infusion of
people like me get a radical infusion of
people like me get a radical infusion of global fluency we will become dinosaurs
now I went to Japan for the first time
now I went to Japan for the first time and when I went to Japan I read my world
and when I went to Japan I read my world
and when I went to Japan I read my world my wife this really strange email I said
my wife this really strange email I said
my wife this really strange email I said you know I’ve been with people all week
you know I’ve been with people all week
you know I’ve been with people all week but I’ve never felt so lonely and I
but I’ve never felt so lonely and I
but I’ve never felt so lonely and I couldn’t figure out what the deal was
couldn’t figure out what the deal was
couldn’t figure out what the deal was until after a while I unpacked it and I
until after a while I unpacked it and I
until after a while I unpacked it and I recognized that I had never done
recognized that I had never done
recognized that I had never done business I had never been in a situation
business I had never been in a situation
business I had never been in a situation where I needed to be recognized as peers
where I needed to be recognized as peers
where I needed to be recognized as peers with people across the table in a place
with people across the table in a place
with people across the table in a place where I wasn’t part of the majority
where I wasn’t part of the majority
where I wasn’t part of the majority culture who could teach me to do that
culture who could teach me to do that
culture who could teach me to do that the kid who came from a refugee camp in
the kid who came from a refugee camp in
the kid who came from a refugee camp in Kenya that kid crossing town from place
Kenya that kid crossing town from place
Kenya that kid crossing town from place to place from culture to culture that is
to place from culture to culture that is
to place from culture to culture that is the most important piece that
the most important piece that
the most important piece that we have now I want to finish this by
we have now I want to finish this by
we have now I want to finish this by telling you a little story about
telling you a little story about
telling you a little story about somebody teaching math in Los Angeles
somebody teaching math in Los Angeles
somebody teaching math in Los Angeles okay so she’s teaching math and she’s
okay so she’s teaching math and she’s
okay so she’s teaching math and she’s trying to teach kids negative numbers
trying to teach kids negative numbers
trying to teach kids negative numbers now think about this as a teacher here’s
now think about this as a teacher here’s
now think about this as a teacher here’s one here’s two here’s zero how do you
one here’s two here’s zero how do you
one here’s two here’s zero how do you explain negative numbers right well they
explain negative numbers right well they
explain negative numbers right well they couldn’t get it in Los Angeles so she
couldn’t get it in Los Angeles so she
couldn’t get it in Los Angeles so she did what every smart person does she
did what every smart person does she
did what every smart person does she moves back to Minnesota and she’s here
moves back to Minnesota and she’s here
moves back to Minnesota and she’s here in Minnesota and she’s she’s teaching
in Minnesota and she’s she’s teaching
in Minnesota and she’s she’s teaching these kids negative numbers and all of a
these kids negative numbers and all of a
these kids negative numbers and all of a sudden they’re getting it just like that
sudden they’re getting it just like that
sudden they’re getting it just like that now why would a kid in Minnesota
now why would a kid in Minnesota
now why would a kid in Minnesota understand negative numbers
understand negative numbers
understand negative numbers January the moment they hear below zero
January the moment they hear below zero
January the moment they hear below zero they get negative numbers okay so stop
they get negative numbers okay so stop
they get negative numbers okay so stop and think about this a unique population
and think about this a unique population
and think about this a unique population in a unique experience learn something
in a unique experience learn something
in a unique experience learn something we can all share those kids in Minnesota
we can all share those kids in Minnesota
we can all share those kids in Minnesota can teach those kids negative numbers or
can teach those kids negative numbers or
can teach those kids negative numbers or bring them to be here in January they’ll
bring them to be here in January they’ll
bring them to be here in January they’ll get it the fact of the matter is what we
get it the fact of the matter is what we
get it the fact of the matter is what we have is the ability to have a new
have is the ability to have a new
have is the ability to have a new generation whose experiences make us all
generation whose experiences make us all
generation whose experiences make us all better be on duty the cleanest thing
better be on duty the cleanest thing
better be on duty the cleanest thing that anyone can teach you in any math
that anyone can teach you in any math
that anyone can teach you in any math problem is one plus one equals three and
problem is one plus one equals three and
problem is one plus one equals three and the most important thing that we know is
the most important thing that we know is
the most important thing that we know is the most powerful simple message we make
the most powerful simple message we make
the most powerful simple message we make each other better thank you
each other better thank you
each other better thank you [Applause]
”
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