[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.77,0:00:02.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I look in the mirror today,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:02.68,0:00:06.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I see a justice and education scholar\Nat Columbia University,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.02,0:00:11.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a youth mentor, an activist
Dialogue: 0,0:00:11.67,0:00:13.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a future New York state senator.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.70,0:00:16.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Cheering)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.30,0:00:18.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I see all of that
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.40,0:00:22.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a man who spent\Na quarter of his life in state prison --
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.74,0:00:25.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,six years, to be exact,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.76,0:00:28.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,starting as a teenager on Rikers Island
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.53,0:00:30.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for an act that nearly cost\Na man his life.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.55,0:00:34.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what got me from there to here
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.75,0:00:39.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wasn't the punishment I faced\Nas a teenager in adult prison
Dialogue: 0,0:00:39.47,0:00:41.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or the harshness of our legal system.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.40,0:00:46.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead, it was a learning\Nenvironment of a classroom
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.29,0:00:49.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that introduced me to something\NI didn't think was possible for me
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.40,0:00:52.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or our justice system as a whole.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.51,0:00:55.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A few weeks before my release on parole,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.95,0:00:58.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a counselor encouraged me to enroll\Nin a new college course
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.80,0:01:00.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,being offered in the prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.88,0:01:02.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was called Inside Criminal Justice.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.78,0:01:05.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That seems pretty\Nstraightforward, though, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.27,0:01:06.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, it turns out,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.45,0:01:09.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the class would be made up\Nof eight incarcerated men
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.39,0:01:11.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and eight assistant district attorneys.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.01,0:01:16.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Columbia University psychology\Nprofessor Geraldine Downey
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.28,0:01:18.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Manhattan Assistant DA Lucy Lang
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.33,0:01:19.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,co-taught the course,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.58,0:01:21.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it was the first of its kind.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.07,0:01:23.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can honestly say
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.19,0:01:26.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this wasn't how I imagined\Nstarting college.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.34,0:01:29.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My mind was blown from day one.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.28,0:01:32.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I assumed all the prosecutors\Nin the room would be white.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.83,0:01:36.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I remember walking into the room\Non the first day of class
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.12,0:01:37.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and seeing three black prosecutors
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.01,0:01:39.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and thinking to myself,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.33,0:01:42.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Wow, being a black prosecutor --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.50,0:01:43.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's a thing!"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.20,0:01:46.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.20,0:01:49.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By the end of the first session,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.92,0:01:51.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was all in.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.12,0:01:54.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, a few weeks after my release,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.39,0:01:57.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I found myself doing something\NI prayed I wouldn't.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.81,0:02:00.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I walked right back into prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.13,0:02:04.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But thankfully, this time\Nit was just as a student,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.06,0:02:06.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to join my fellow classmates.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:08.33,0:02:09.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this time,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.21,0:02:12.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I got to go home when class was over.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.06,0:02:17.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the next session, we talked\Nabout what had brought each of us
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.15,0:02:18.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to this point of our lives
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.45,0:02:20.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and into the classroom together.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.05,0:02:21.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I eventually got comfortable enough
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.76,0:02:23.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to reveal my truth to everyone in the room
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.95,0:02:25.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about where I came from.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.11,0:02:31.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I talked about how my sisters and I\Nwatched our mother suffer years of abuse
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.69,0:02:34.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the hands of our stepfather,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.21,0:02:38.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,escaping, only to find ourselves\Nliving in a shelter.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.13,0:02:43.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I talked about how I swore\Nan oath to my family
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.29,0:02:44.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to keep them safe.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.06,0:02:49.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I even explained how I didn't feel\Nlike a teenager at 13,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.41,0:02:51.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but more like a soldier on a mission.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.28,0:02:53.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And like any soldier,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.63,0:02:56.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this meant carrying an emotional\Nburden on my shoulders,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.16,0:02:59.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I hate to say it,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.50,0:03:01.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but a gun on my waist.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.41,0:03:05.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And just a few days\Nafter my 17th birthday,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.86,0:03:07.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that mission completely failed.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.92,0:03:10.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As my sister and I were walking\Nto the laundromat,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.30,0:03:11.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a crowd stopped in front of us.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.64,0:03:15.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Two girls out of nowhere\Nattacked my sister.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.28,0:03:18.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Still confused about what was happening,\NI tried to pull one girl away,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.98,0:03:21.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and just as I did, I felt something\Nbrush across my face.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.91,0:03:24.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With my adrenaline rushing,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.74,0:03:27.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't realize a man\Nhad leaped out of the crowd and cut me.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.70,0:03:31.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I felt warm blood ooze down my face,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.46,0:03:35.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and watching him raise\Nhis knife toward me again,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.98,0:03:40.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I turned to defend myself\Nand pulled that gun from my waistband
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.44,0:03:42.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and squeezed the trigger.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.68,0:03:48.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thankfully, he didn't lose\Nhis life that day.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.83,0:03:54.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My hands shaking and heart racing,\NI was paralyzed in fear.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.98,0:03:56.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From that moment,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.31,0:03:59.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I felt regret that would never leave me.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.53,0:04:06.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned later on they attacked my sister\Nin a case of mistaken identity,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.15,0:04:07.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,thinking she was someone else.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.43,0:04:09.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was terrifying,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.78,0:04:13.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but clear that I wasn't trained,\Nnor was I qualified,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.99,0:04:16.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to be the soldier\Nthat I thought I needed to be.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.78,0:04:19.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But in my neighborhood,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.32,0:04:22.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I only felt safe carrying a weapon.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.03,0:04:27.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, back in the classroom,\Nafter hearing my story,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.57,0:04:30.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the prosecutors could tell\NI never wanted to hurt anyone.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.92,0:04:32.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I just wanted us to make it home.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.14,0:04:38.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I could literally see the gradual change\Nin each of their faces
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.55,0:04:40.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as they heard story after story
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.92,0:04:43.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from the other incarcerated\Nmen in the room.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.75,0:04:45.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stories that have trapped many of us
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.53,0:04:47.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,within the vicious cycle of incarceration,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.94,0:04:51.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that most haven't been able\Nto break free of.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.08,0:04:57.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And sure -- there are people\Nwho commit terrible crimes.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.74,0:05:01.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the stories\Nof these individuals' lives
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.24,0:05:02.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before they commit those acts
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.01,0:05:06.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were the kinds of stories\Nthese prosecutors had never heard.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.74,0:05:10.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when it was their turn\Nto speak -- the prosecutors --
Dialogue: 0,0:05:10.46,0:05:11.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was surprised, too.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.28,0:05:15.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They weren't emotionless\Ndrones or robocops,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.12,0:05:17.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,preprogrammed to send people to prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.78,0:05:20.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were sons and daughters,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.89,0:05:22.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,brothers and sisters.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.07,0:05:26.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But most of all, they were good students.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.92,0:05:29.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were ambitious and motivated.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.22,0:05:34.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they believed that they could use\Nthe power of law to protect people.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.07,0:05:38.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were on a mission\Nthat I could definitely understand.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.05,0:05:44.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Midway through the course,\NNick, a fellow incarcerated student,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.58,0:05:45.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,poured out his concern
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.78,0:05:49.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the prosecutors were tiptoeing\Naround the racial bias and discrimination
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.47,0:05:51.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,within our criminal justice system.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.66,0:05:53.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, if you've ever been to prison,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.39,0:05:56.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you would know it's impossible\Nto talk about justice reform
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.19,0:05:57.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without talking about race.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.51,0:06:00.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we silently cheered for Nick
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.30,0:06:02.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and were eager to hear\Nthe prosecutors' response.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.69,0:06:04.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And no, I don't remember who spoke first,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.92,0:06:09.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but when Chauncey Parker,\Na senior prosecutor, agreed with Nick
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.31,0:06:14.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and said he was committed to ending\Nthe mass incarceration of people of color,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.65,0:06:15.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I believed him.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.63,0:06:19.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I knew we were headed\Nin the right direction.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.17,0:06:22.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We now started to move as a team.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.04,0:06:25.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We started exploring new possibilities
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.67,0:06:29.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and uncovering truths\Nabout our justice system
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.76,0:06:31.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how real change
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.54,0:06:33.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,happens for us.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.66,0:06:39.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For me, it wasn't the mandatory\Nprograms inside of the prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.67,0:06:43.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead, it was listening\Nto the advice of elders --
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.65,0:06:49.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,men who have been sentenced to spend\Nthe rest of their lives in prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.10,0:06:53.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These men helped me reframe\Nmy mindset around manhood.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.50,0:06:59.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they instilled in me\Nall of their aspirations and goals,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.70,0:07:02.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the hopes that I would never\Nreturn to prison,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.82,0:07:06.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that I would serve\Nas their ambassador to the free world.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.90,0:07:12.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I talked, I could see the lights\Nturning on for one prosecutor,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.78,0:07:14.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who said something I thought was obvious:
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.49,0:07:19.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I had transformed\Ndespite my incarceration
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.52,0:07:20.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not because of it.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.79,0:07:24.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was clear these prosecutors\Nhadn't thought much about
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.50,0:07:26.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what happens to us\Nafter they win a conviction.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.36,0:07:30.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But through the simple process\Nof sitting in a classroom,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.06,0:07:33.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these lawyers started to see\Nthat keeping us locked up
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.13,0:07:35.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,didn't benefit our community
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.14,0:07:37.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or us.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.01,0:07:42.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Toward the end of the course,\Nthe prosecutors were excited,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.49,0:07:45.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as we talked about our plans\Nfor life after being released.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.73,0:07:49.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But they hadn't realized\Nhow rough it was actually going to be.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.96,0:07:52.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can literally still see the shock
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.71,0:07:55.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on one of the junior\NADA's face when it hit her:
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.18,0:07:58.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the temporary ID given to us\Nwith our freedom
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.100,0:08:01.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,displayed that we were\Njust released from prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.72,0:08:05.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She hadn't imagined how many barriers\Nthis would create for us
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.67,0:08:07.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as we reenter society.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.67,0:08:13.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I could also see her genuine empathy\Nfor the choice we had to make
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.49,0:08:16.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,between coming home to a bed in a shelter
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.57,0:08:20.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or a couch in a relative's\Novercrowded apartment.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.42,0:08:26.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What we learned in the class
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.11,0:08:29.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,worked its way into concrete\Npolicy recommendations.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.41,0:08:31.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We presented our proposals
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.98,0:08:34.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the state Department\Nof Corrections commissioner
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.80,0:08:36.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to the Manhattan DA,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.85,0:08:40.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at our graduation in a packed\NColumbia auditorium.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.92,0:08:43.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As a team,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.84,0:08:45.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I couldn't have imagined\Na more memorable way
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.100,0:08:48.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to conclude our eight weeks together.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.62,0:08:51.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And just 10 months\Nafter coming home from prison,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.13,0:08:53.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I again found myself in a strange room,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.94,0:08:59.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,invited by the commissioner of NYPD\Nto share my perspective
Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.50,0:09:00.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at a policing summit.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:01.65,0:09:03.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And while speaking,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.62,0:09:05.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I recognized a familiar face\Nin the audience.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.40,0:09:10.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was the attorney\Nwho prosecuted my case.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.06,0:09:14.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Seeing him,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.62,0:09:18.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I thought about our days in the courtroom
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.32,0:09:22.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,seven years earlier,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.36,0:09:26.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as I listened to him recommend\Na long prison sentence,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.74,0:09:29.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as if my young life was meaningless
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.93,0:09:31.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and had no potential.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.59,0:09:33.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this time,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.78,0:09:36.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the circumstances were different.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.91,0:09:39.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I shook off my thoughts
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.08,0:09:40.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and walked over to shake his hand.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.23,0:09:43.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He looked happy to see me.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.55,0:09:47.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Surprised, but happy.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.66,0:09:52.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He acknowledged how proud he was\Nabout being in that room with me,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.85,0:09:55.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we began a conversation\Nabout working together
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.27,0:09:57.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to improve the conditions\Nof our community.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.00,0:09:59.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so today,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.82,0:10:02.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I carry all of these experiences with me,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.43,0:10:06.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as I develop the Justice Ambassadors\NYouth Council at Columbia University,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.78,0:10:10.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,bringing young New Yorkers -- some\Nwho have already spent time locked up
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.27,0:10:12.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and others who are still\Nenrolled in high school --
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.72,0:10:14.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,together with city officials.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.16,0:10:15.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in this classroom,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.25,0:10:18.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,everyone will brainstorm ideas
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.10,0:10:21.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about improving the lives\Nof our city's most vulnerable youth
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.26,0:10:24.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before they get tried\Nwithin the criminal justice system.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.16,0:10:28.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is possible if we do the work.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.19,0:10:34.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our society and justice system\Nhas convinced us
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.79,0:10:36.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we can lock up our problems
Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.43,0:10:38.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and punish our way\Nout of social challenges.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.56,0:10:40.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that's not real.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:41.52,0:10:43.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine with me for a second
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.19,0:10:46.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a future where no one can become
Dialogue: 0,0:10:46.77,0:10:48.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a prosecutor,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.34,0:10:50.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a judge,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.19,0:10:51.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a cop
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.90,0:10:53.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or even a parole officer
Dialogue: 0,0:10:53.97,0:10:56.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without first sitting in a classroom
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.13,0:10:57.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to learn from and connect with
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.99,0:11:00.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the very people whose lives\Nwill be in their hands.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.04,0:11:04.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm doing my part to promote\Nthe power of conversations
Dialogue: 0,0:11:04.67,0:11:06.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the need for collaborations.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.86,0:11:09.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is through education
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.81,0:11:13.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we will arrive at a truth\Nthat is inclusive and unites us all
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.98,0:11:15.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the pursuit of justice.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.95,0:11:20.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For me, it was a brand-new conversation
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.85,0:11:24.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a new kind of classroom
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.30,0:11:26.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that showed me how both my mindset
Dialogue: 0,0:11:27.39,0:11:29.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and our criminal justice system
Dialogue: 0,0:11:29.31,0:11:30.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,could be transformed.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.31,0:11:36.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They say the truth shall set you free.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.71,0:11:38.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I believe
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.09,0:11:41.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's education
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.73,0:11:44.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and communication.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.90,0:11:46.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.07,0:11:50.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)