[Script Info] Title: [Events] Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.73,0:00:12.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Since elementary school,\Nwords have always turned me on - Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.41,0:00:14.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the affectionate sound of Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.05,0:00:16.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"move one more again,\Nand I'm gonna pop you," Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.16,0:00:17.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while getting my hair braided; Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.77,0:00:21.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the sultry way\Nthat "ladies love cool jams" Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.78,0:00:25.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rolls off the tongue when his music\Nis introduced on the radio; Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.39,0:00:30.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the inspirational lessons detailing\Nthe literary devices of onomatopoeia Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.74,0:00:33.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and synecdoche in high school. Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.64,0:00:38.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For 29 years, words\Nhave been my very best friend. Dialogue: 0,0:00:39.50,0:00:44.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Since elementary school,\Nwords have always ostracized me - Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.85,0:00:51.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the envious eyes of my non-black friends\Nas my black friends and I used jeers Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.16,0:00:56.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and culturally insensitive slurs\Nto express our love for one another; Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.87,0:01:00.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the covert corners I found a home in Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.06,0:01:03.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as I chose poetry writing\Nover lunch room gossip Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.32,0:01:06.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for most of my educational career; Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.43,0:01:13.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the demanding obligation I felt\Nto withhold my feelings and questions Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.16,0:01:16.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,out of fear that my white colleagues\Nand white teachers Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.83,0:01:19.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would misinterpret my intention; Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.20,0:01:23.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the inevitable nature\Nof hearing the "N" word Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.53,0:01:28.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in almost every single space\NI've ever encountered, Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.39,0:01:31.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,regardless of the race of its occupants. Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.05,0:01:37.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For 29 years, words have\Nbeen my most archenemy. Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.11,0:01:39.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The problem is clear. Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.03,0:01:42.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As a society, we take\Nlanguage for granted. Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.84,0:01:47.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The reason why this problem\Npersists is even more crystal. Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.07,0:01:49.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People are really stupid. Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.18,0:01:50.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.91,0:01:56.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We assume, naively, that wealth\Nis best measured by bills and coins, Dialogue: 0,0:01:56.81,0:02:00.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,also assuming that any other form\Nof currency is inferior, Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.82,0:02:03.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and thus, secondary. Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.27,0:02:06.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kofi Annan, a great Guinean diplomat, Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.63,0:02:11.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,once said that education is the\Ngreat equalizer of our time. Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.37,0:02:13.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, again, Kofi is brilliant. Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.26,0:02:15.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He's amazing, so no shade to him. Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.57,0:02:19.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But with this one, Kofi was wrong. Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.02,0:02:23.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Words are more of a lever\Nthan education will ever be. Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.31,0:02:28.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We just don't give words a chance\Nto do their thing often enough. Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.44,0:02:32.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Travel with me on a three-anecdote\Njourney through my adulthood, Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.83,0:02:34.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you'll soon agree. Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.10,0:02:39.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've been discovering, rediscovering, Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.00,0:02:44.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and re-rediscovering myself\Nfor as long as I can possibly remember. Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.82,0:02:49.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of the most powerful moments\Non my journey to self discovery Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.20,0:02:55.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,dates back to 2016 when I was forced\Nto reconnect with language. Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.14,0:02:58.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember the first half of my 20s Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.05,0:03:02.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,being characterized\Nby a very fast-paced lifestyle. Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.02,0:03:05.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had just recently moved to Boston\Nfrom my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.80,0:03:08.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I was very proud of the way Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.07,0:03:12.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I fearlessly and brazenly\Nnavigated the world, Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.90,0:03:16.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,until I found out\NI was two months pregnant. Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.66,0:03:20.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Life had a very funny way\Nof telling me to slow down. Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.24,0:03:23.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was distraught. Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.14,0:03:27.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember announcing my pregnancy\Nto everybody I cared about Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.85,0:03:31.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a text message\Nthat said, "I have bad news." Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.64,0:03:33.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that was that. Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.20,0:03:36.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My ex-boyfriend at the time,\Nmy child's father, Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.32,0:03:37.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,responded very graciously. Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.94,0:03:39.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He was very supportive. Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.62,0:03:43.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So my bad news turned into just news. Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.97,0:03:46.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then when my grandma\Noffered some positive words, Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.88,0:03:48.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was like, OK, now, we have good news. Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.74,0:03:49.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I was excited. Dialogue: 0,0:03:49.88,0:03:51.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I now had good news. Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.13,0:03:54.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was a good thing\Nthat I was having a baby. Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.83,0:03:58.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember when we found out\Nthe birth of Amir, my son - Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.34,0:04:01.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm sorry, the gender of Amir, my son, Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.02,0:04:04.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we were so excited\Nthat we immediately went shopping. Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.16,0:04:08.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We sifted through so many\Nsale and clearance racks, Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.30,0:04:11.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as many as the green line\Ncould take us to. Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.03,0:04:16.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At six months, Amir stopped kicking. Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.72,0:04:20.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He didn't live beyond\Nhis six months in my womb. Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.71,0:04:23.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I cried. Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.92,0:04:25.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For days, I cried. Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.05,0:04:30.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For days that turned into weeks, I cried. Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.40,0:04:34.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For weeks that turned\Ninto months, I cried. Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.06,0:04:37.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For months that have now\Nturned into three years, Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.06,0:04:40.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I still find myself crying sometimes. Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.14,0:04:43.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course, all of the very\Nloving people in my life Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.44,0:04:48.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,use their words to try\Nto dry my tears and soothe me. Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.09,0:04:52.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I got a lot of "I'm so sorry, Ashley," Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.48,0:04:57.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and some well-meaning, \N"He's in a better place now, Ashley." Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.73,0:05:01.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, the kind of words\Nwe use to soothe people Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.22,0:05:03.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we don't know what else to say, Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.08,0:05:06.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even though we know that our words\Nprobably aren't working. Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.21,0:05:14.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It wasn't until I met my therapist\Nthat recovery actually felt possible. Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.16,0:05:18.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My therapist said, "It's OK to cry. Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.76,0:05:20.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's OK to grieve. Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.89,0:05:24.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's even OK to criticize the way Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.52,0:05:28.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that other people give you permission\Nto do those things." Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.42,0:05:34.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so within weeks,\NI suddenly stopped crying. Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.65,0:05:37.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't know why. Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.61,0:05:41.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fast forward to 2017. Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.97,0:05:45.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So as was stated, I'm an educator,\Nsomething I'm very proud of. Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.90,0:05:50.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I started my educational\Nidentity, if you will, Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.22,0:05:53.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the Charlie Sposato\NGraduate School of Education, Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.41,0:05:55.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is a teacher residency program Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.57,0:05:58.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's housed through Match,\Na charter network. Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.64,0:06:03.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Specifically, I worked at Match\NHigh School in Brighton for five years. Dialogue: 0,0:06:03.62,0:06:06.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I often give back to the graduate program Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.24,0:06:08.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I feel like\Nthey did so much for me. Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.55,0:06:13.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And one notable way that I give back\Nis by speaking on their panels every year. Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.60,0:06:17.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At my most recent talk, I remember\Nbeing asked a question Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.39,0:06:23.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about the way that my identity\Ninforms my practice as an educator. Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.28,0:06:24.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, anybody who knows me\N Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.93,0:06:27.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,knows that I was very excited\Nabout that question Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.48,0:06:32.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because anything related to race,\Nidentity, affirmation, culture, Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.17,0:06:33.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's my jam. Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.56,0:06:34.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's my topic. Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.99,0:06:38.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So my excitement came clear in my answers. Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.82,0:06:42.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I started by reflecting on the tension Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.33,0:06:48.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I often feel as a black woman\Neducating black kids. Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.12,0:06:49.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ironic, right? Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.45,0:06:53.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I talked about how I'm often conflicted Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.90,0:06:59.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because even though I share the identity\Nwith a lot of my students, Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.03,0:07:03.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I work in a space - or at that time,\Nespecially, I worked in a space - Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.14,0:07:05.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that was very white-dominated. Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.06,0:07:08.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I felt like I had to\Nconstrict who I really was. Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.88,0:07:13.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I talked about how my hoop\Nearrings are a statement. Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.75,0:07:19.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I talked about how my then-much more\Nintricate nail designs are a statement. Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.47,0:07:23.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I even talked about the fact\Nthat people's typical reaction Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.51,0:07:26.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to my tattooed aesthetic\Nis a statement too, Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.82,0:07:28.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just of a different kind. Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.62,0:07:30.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I talked about a lot. Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.64,0:07:34.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I culminated my talking\Nby saying something like, Dialogue: 0,0:07:34.69,0:07:39.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"It's a black woman thing, though,"\Nwith a sort of dismissive pride. Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.44,0:07:45.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In response, an eager white\Nresident raised her hand. Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.77,0:07:49.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she said, "It's actually\Nnot just a black girl thing. Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.37,0:07:51.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've experienced that too." Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.74,0:07:55.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she proceeded to project\Nher privilege and her story Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.64,0:07:57.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,onto my narrative. Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.35,0:07:59.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, although I didn't appreciate that, Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.40,0:08:02.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I responded in a way\Nthat I don't think was rude. Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.51,0:08:06.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I said, "So sure, yes. Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.17,0:08:12.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Womanhood in patriarchal\NAmerica is one thing, indeed. Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.23,0:08:17.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, black womanhood\Nin white patriarchal America Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.51,0:08:19.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is an entirely different thing." Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.40,0:08:24.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's something that, namely,\Nshe had no right to speak on. Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.89,0:08:28.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In response to the words\Nthat I offered to the white woman's words, Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.65,0:08:31.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I got a lot of praise from people. Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.49,0:08:34.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My most favorite praise\Nwas from one of my students Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.64,0:08:36.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who accompanied me on the panel. Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.52,0:08:38.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's call her Maya. Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.21,0:08:43.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Maya said, "Yes, Davis,"\Nand she hugged me, very tightly. Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.88,0:08:47.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maya hugged me tighter\Nthan anybody had ever hugged me before. Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.42,0:08:51.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I still don't fully understand why. Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.77,0:08:56.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fast forward to October 2018. Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.79,0:08:59.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I am a principle fellow this year, Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.40,0:09:02.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is fancy verbiage for saying Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.07,0:09:06.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I'm an underpaid assistant principal\Nstudying to be a principal. Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.90,0:09:10.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I work at a beautifully\Nintimate elementary school. Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.89,0:09:15.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a kindergarten through third grade \Nschool, the Shaw, in Mattapan. Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.01,0:09:20.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we serve a school\Nfull of beautiful students of color. Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.25,0:09:25.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,30% of our student body,\Nabout, identifies as Latinx. Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.08,0:09:30.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Notice that I chose to use the word\NLatinx as opposed to Hispanic. Dialogue: 0,0:09:30.15,0:09:33.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of the things that\NI'm most proud of about my school Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.54,0:09:35.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and about Boston alike, Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.06,0:09:36.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and one of the things Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.09,0:09:39.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is actually convincing me\Nto continue to endure the cold, Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.48,0:09:44.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is the fact that Boston\Nis so linguistically diverse. Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.76,0:09:47.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many of my students\Nspeak English, of course, Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.73,0:09:51.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they don't speak English\Nas their primary language. Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.03,0:09:54.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they're multilingual\Nin ways that I wish that I were. Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.64,0:09:58.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that's something\Nthat I am incredibly proud of. Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.50,0:10:02.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, on the day\Nthat this story revolves around, Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.73,0:10:04.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was very unproud. Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.69,0:10:09.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So one of my students,\Nwho identifies as Latinx, a girl - Dialogue: 0,0:10:09.38,0:10:12.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let's call her Taj - is a second grader. Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.35,0:10:14.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she's amazing. Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.51,0:10:17.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, all of my students are amazing;\NI don't have any favorites. Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.53,0:10:20.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the thing that makes Taj most amazing Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.12,0:10:24.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that no matter\Nwho's around, she's the same. Dialogue: 0,0:10:24.07,0:10:25.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she's in second grade. Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.85,0:10:28.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I wanted to share that with her mother. Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.07,0:10:31.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I sort of practiced\Nin my head what I was going to say Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.01,0:10:33.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because as you guys know,\NI really like words. Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.32,0:10:39.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I would say something like,\Nin class, Taj answers questions like this. Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.56,0:10:44.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then when we're in cheerleading,\NTaj shows leadership like this. Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.42,0:10:48.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when she thinks\Nnobody's watching and she's by herself, Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.17,0:10:49.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Taj does this - Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.79,0:10:53.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I really wanted to capture\Nfor Ms. Garcia, Taj's mother, Dialogue: 0,0:10:53.63,0:10:57.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the full beauty of Taj's personality. Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.86,0:11:00.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when my rehearsing\Nin my head sort of ended, Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.96,0:11:03.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I went on to playground dismissal duty. Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.98,0:11:06.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course, I was\Npaying attention to everybody Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.14,0:11:09.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and making sure that everybody\Nwent home with the right person. Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.24,0:11:13.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I was really just looking\Nfor Ms. Garcia, Taj's mom. Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.19,0:11:16.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I saw her approaching,\NI waved very frantically, Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.94,0:11:19.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like a kid in a candy store almost. Dialogue: 0,0:11:19.07,0:11:21.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I sort of rushed over to her.\N Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.50,0:11:22.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I just started talking. Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.95,0:11:25.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We didn't even greet each other,\NI just started talking. Dialogue: 0,0:11:25.85,0:11:27.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then in the middle of my talking, Dialogue: 0,0:11:27.92,0:11:32.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she interrupted me,\Nand said, "Hola, Ms. Davis." Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.40,0:11:33.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I froze. Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.93,0:11:37.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It wasn't until then that I realized Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.33,0:11:40.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that my "perfectly rehearsed"\NEnglish speech Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.91,0:11:44.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wouldn't resonate with Taj's mom. Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.01,0:11:46.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was embarrassed. Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.30,0:11:52.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Taj, in her brilliant innocence,\Njumped in and began translating. Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.72,0:11:56.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She would turn to me\Nand ask me a question in English, Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.50,0:12:01.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then she'd resort back to her mother\Nand answer that question in Spanish Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.25,0:12:03.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with grace and immediacy. Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.43,0:12:11.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ms. Garcia, Taj's mom, said,\N"Gracias, Miss Davis," and began crying. Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.53,0:12:13.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And all I could do was smile. Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.08,0:12:20.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In reflection, I realized\Nthat another thing that makes Taj special Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.01,0:12:24.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is not the fact that she speaks English. Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.06,0:12:27.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's also not the fact\Nthat she speaks Spanish. Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.93,0:12:32.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it's that, in that moment,\Nshe knew very astutely Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.18,0:12:38.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which language she needed\Nto unite us all - the language of love. Dialogue: 0,0:12:38.97,0:12:41.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I now understand why. Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.73,0:12:44.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I chose these three stories Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.03,0:12:49.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because each of them highlights\Nthe theme that semantics matter. Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.18,0:12:52.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The way you say things,\Nthe why behind your saying of things, Dialogue: 0,0:12:52.99,0:12:57.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the impact of those\Nsaid things carry weight. Dialogue: 0,0:12:57.70,0:13:01.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You are your you-est you\Nbecause of the words you choose Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.93,0:13:04.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and because of the words you don't. Dialogue: 0,0:13:04.57,0:13:08.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Your words are your power\Nand your words make you resilient. Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.60,0:13:12.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The question, then, is not about\Nwhether or not you have access Dialogue: 0,0:13:12.80,0:13:14.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the resiliency of words. Dialogue: 0,0:13:14.84,0:13:19.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The question instead should be\Nabout your relationship with words. Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.03,0:13:22.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Are you like the members of team Amir, Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.85,0:13:25.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,simply repeating words\Nand phrases over and over, Dialogue: 0,0:13:25.67,0:13:29.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because you don't know what else to say\Nregardless of how they make people feel, Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.48,0:13:32.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just because somebody\Nrepeated them to you? Dialogue: 0,0:13:32.86,0:13:35.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or are you like the naive resident, Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.95,0:13:38.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,negating the words in other people's words Dialogue: 0,0:13:38.51,0:13:43.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,out of a selfish desire\Nto project your own words onto them? Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.82,0:13:47.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or perhaps, maybe you're like Taj, Dialogue: 0,0:13:47.12,0:13:49.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,affirming the word currency in others Dialogue: 0,0:13:49.77,0:13:54.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,regardless of race,\Nstatus, bias, or creed? Dialogue: 0,0:13:56.21,0:14:01.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Since birth, our words\Nhave defined and fed us: Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.28,0:14:04.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the shady way we say "Good morning!" Dialogue: 0,0:14:04.24,0:14:07.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with more cheer to our boss\Nin promotion meetings Dialogue: 0,0:14:07.19,0:14:08.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than we do to the people Dialogue: 0,0:14:08.59,0:14:12.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who serve us coffee\Nat Dunkin' Donuts every morning; Dialogue: 0,0:14:12.82,0:14:17.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the flirtatious way we lead\Na new friend into our lives Dialogue: 0,0:14:17.36,0:14:22.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by detailing certain traits\Nabout ourself and omitting others Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.59,0:14:25.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it's only the first date; Dialogue: 0,0:14:27.05,0:14:30.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the fact that, as a child,\NI read a dictionary religiously - Dialogue: 0,0:14:30.96,0:14:32.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I studied it; Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.57,0:14:35.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the fact that now, as an adult, Dialogue: 0,0:14:35.24,0:14:37.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have a protected list of words Dialogue: 0,0:14:37.71,0:14:40.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I'm collecting\Nin the back of my planner; Dialogue: 0,0:14:42.05,0:14:46.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the fact that most people of color\Nhave to rehearse and rewrite Dialogue: 0,0:14:46.24,0:14:50.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what they want to say\Nin their head at least three times Dialogue: 0,0:14:50.12,0:14:53.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before raising their hand\Nto offer those words aloud Dialogue: 0,0:14:53.75,0:14:57.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a setting that white America\Nwould consider "professional." Dialogue: 0,0:14:58.99,0:15:04.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our entire lives, words have equalized us\Nand made us resilient. Dialogue: 0,0:15:05.45,0:15:07.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Words matter. Dialogue: 0,0:15:07.83,0:15:09.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let them. Dialogue: 0,0:15:10.29,0:15:13.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you take nothing else\Naway from this talk, Dialogue: 0,0:15:13.01,0:15:15.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I urge you to reflect - Dialogue: 0,0:15:15.68,0:15:17.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,word work is deeply personal. Dialogue: 0,0:15:17.76,0:15:18.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's very private. Dialogue: 0,0:15:18.92,0:15:25.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So find a way to ask yourself:\NWhat is my relationship like with words? Dialogue: 0,0:15:25.29,0:15:28.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Use that answer to coach\Nyourself into improvement Dialogue: 0,0:15:28.91,0:15:31.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and ultimately into resilience. Dialogue: 0,0:15:31.49,0:15:33.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You got this. Dialogue: 0,0:15:33.27,0:15:36.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if you don't,\Nyou'll always have words. Dialogue: 0,0:15:36.07,0:15:37.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you. Dialogue: 0,0:15:37.07,0:15:38.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)