[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.79,0:00:02.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What I want to do this afternoon
Dialogue: 0,0:00:02.42,0:00:05.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is something a little different than what's scheduled.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.28,0:00:07.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Foreign policy, you can figure that out
Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.23,0:00:10.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by watching, I don't know, Rachel Maddow or somebody,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.26,0:00:12.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but — (Laughter) —
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.09,0:00:15.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want to talk about young people and structure,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.66,0:00:17.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,young people and structure.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.62,0:00:19.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was last Wednesday afternoon
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.87,0:00:22.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at a school in Brooklyn, New York,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.38,0:00:25.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at Cristo Rey High School, run by the Jesuits.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.31,0:00:29.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I was talking to this group of students, and take a look at them.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.15,0:00:31.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were around me in three directions.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.61,0:00:34.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You'll noticed that almost all of them are minority.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.41,0:00:36.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You'll notice that the building is rather austere.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.25,0:00:40.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's an old New York school building, nothing fancy.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.38,0:00:42.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They still have old blackboards and whatnot.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.92,0:00:45.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there are about 300 kids in this school,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.51,0:00:48.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the school's been going now for four years,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.16,0:00:51.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they're about to graduate their first class.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.11,0:00:53.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Twenty-two people are graduating,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.18,0:00:55.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all 22 are going to college.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.43,0:00:58.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They all come from homes where there is, for the most part,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.17,0:01:00.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just one person in the home,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.69,0:01:03.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,usually the mother or the grandmother, and that's it,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.60,0:01:06.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they come here for their education
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.08,0:01:07.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and for their structure.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.50,0:01:10.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now I had this picture taken, and it was put up
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.30,0:01:12.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on my Facebook page last week,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.80,0:01:14.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and somebody wrote in,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.43,0:01:19.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Huh, why does he have him standing at attention like that?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.42,0:01:23.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then they said, "But he looks good." (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.79,0:01:26.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He does look good, because kids need structure,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.50,0:01:30.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the trick I play in all of my school appearances
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.00,0:01:32.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that when I get through with my little homily to the kids,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.90,0:01:35.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I then invite them to ask questions,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.09,0:01:36.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and when they raise their hands, I say, "Come up,"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.95,0:01:39.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I make them come up and stand in front of me.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.29,0:01:41.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I make them stand at attention like a soldier.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.40,0:01:43.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Put your arms straight down at your side,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.19,0:01:46.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,look up, open your eyes, stare straight ahead,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.64,0:01:50.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and speak out your question loudly so everybody can hear.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.07,0:01:53.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No slouching, no pants hanging down, none of that stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.33,0:01:54.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.70,0:01:57.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this young man, his name is -- his last name Cruz --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.97,0:02:01.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he loved it. That's all over his Facebook page and it's gone viral.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.80,0:02:03.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.99,0:02:06.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So people think I'm being unkind to this kid.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.73,0:02:08.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No, we're having a little fun.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:08.38,0:02:10.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the thing about it, I've done this for years,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.79,0:02:13.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the younger they are, the more fun it is.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.95,0:02:16.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I get six- and seven-year-olds in a group,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.89,0:02:18.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have to figure out how to keep them quiet.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.77,0:02:20.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know that they'll always start yakking.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.77,0:02:22.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so I play a little game with them
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.38,0:02:23.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before I make them stand at attention.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.95,0:02:26.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I say, "Now listen. In the army,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.22,0:02:28.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when we want you to pay attention,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.55,0:02:31.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we have a command. It's called 'at ease.'
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.74,0:02:35.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It means everybody be quiet and pay attention. Listen up.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.31,0:02:36.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do you understand?"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.45,0:02:41.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.""Let's practice. Everybody start chatting."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.31,0:02:44.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I let them go for about 10 seconds, then I go, "At ease!"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.61,0:02:48.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Huh!" (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.12,0:02:50.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Yes, General. Yes, General."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.64,0:02:53.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Try it with your kids. See if it works. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.04,0:02:56.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't think so.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.09,0:02:59.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But anyway, it's a game I play, and it comes obviously
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.11,0:03:00.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from my military experience.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.83,0:03:04.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because for the majority of my adult life,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.26,0:03:08.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I worked with young kids, teenagers with guns, I call them.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.32,0:03:10.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we would bring them into the army,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.76,0:03:13.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the first thing we would do is to put them
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.21,0:03:17.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in an environment of structure, put them in ranks,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.30,0:03:18.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make them all wear the same clothes,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.72,0:03:21.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,cut all their hair off so they look alike,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.22,0:03:23.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make sure that they are standing in ranks.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.42,0:03:25.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We teach them how to go right face, left face,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.20,0:03:27.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so they can obey instructions and know
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.12,0:03:30.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the consequences of not obeying instructions.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.05,0:03:31.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It gives them structure.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.51,0:03:35.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then we introduce them to somebody who they come to hate immediately, the drill sergeant.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.69,0:03:37.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they hate him.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.56,0:03:39.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the drill sergeant starts screaming at them,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.91,0:03:43.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and telling them to do all kinds of awful things.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.76,0:03:46.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then the most amazing thing happens over time.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.77,0:03:49.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Once that structure is developed,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:49.79,0:03:53.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,once they understand the reason for something,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.01,0:03:57.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,once they understand, "Mama ain't here, son.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.02,0:04:00.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm your worst nightmare. I'm your daddy and your mommy.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.84,0:04:03.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's just the way it is. You got that, son?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.45,0:04:06.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yeah, and then when I ask you a question, there are only three possible answers:
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.29,0:04:08.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yes, sir; no, sir; and no excuse, sir.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.68,0:04:10.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Don't start telling me why you didn't do something.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.84,0:04:13.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's yes, sir; no, sir; no excuse, sir."
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.50,0:04:14.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You didn't shave.""But sir —"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.62,0:04:17.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"No, don't tell me how often you scraped your face this morning.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.88,0:04:19.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm telling you you didn't shave."
Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.62,0:04:22.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"No excuse, sir.""Attaboy, you're learning fast."
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.82,0:04:25.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But you'd be amazed at what you can do with them
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.21,0:04:27.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,once you put them in that structure.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.66,0:04:32.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 18 weeks, they have a skill. They are mature.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.52,0:04:35.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you know what, they come to admire the drill sergeant
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.64,0:04:37.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they never forget the drill sergeant.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.54,0:04:40.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They come to respect him.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.17,0:04:44.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so we need more of this kind of structure and respect
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.09,0:04:46.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the lives of our children.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.12,0:04:48.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I spend a lot of time with youth groups,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.09,0:04:51.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I say to people, "When does the education process begin?"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.38,0:04:53.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're always talking about, "Let's fix the schools.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.06,0:04:56.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's do more for our teachers. Let's put more computers in our schools.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.81,0:04:59.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's get it all online."
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.75,0:05:03.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That isn't the whole answer. It's part of the answer.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.05,0:05:06.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the real answer begins with bringing a child to the school
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.32,0:05:10.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with structure in that child's heart and soul to begin with.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:10.92,0:05:13.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When does the learning process begin? Does it begin in first grade?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.79,0:05:15.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No, no, it begins the first time
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.98,0:05:18.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a child in a mother's arms
Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.66,0:05:21.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,looks up at the mother
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.42,0:05:24.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and says, "Oh, this must be my mother.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.78,0:05:27.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She's the one who feeds me.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.16,0:05:29.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh yeah, when I don't feel so good down there,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.36,0:05:31.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she takes care of me.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.88,0:05:34.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's her language I will learn."
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.90,0:05:37.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And at that moment they shut out all the other languages
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.65,0:05:40.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they could be learning at that age,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.01,0:05:42.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but by three months, that's her.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.96,0:05:45.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if the person doing it, whether it's the mother
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.28,0:05:47.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or grandmother, whoever's doing it,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.27,0:05:49.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is when the education process begins.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.48,0:05:51.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's when language begins.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.21,0:05:53.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's when love begins. That's when structure begins.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.46,0:05:55.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's when you start to imprint on the child
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.95,0:05:58.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that "you are special,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.16,0:06:01.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you are different from every other child in the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.35,0:06:03.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we're going to read to you."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:03.44,0:06:05.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A child who has not been read to
Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.51,0:06:07.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is in danger when that child gets to school.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.65,0:06:09.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A child who doesn't know his or her colors
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.71,0:06:12.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or doesn't know how to tell time, doesn't know how to tie shoes,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.73,0:06:14.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doesn't know how to do those things,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.13,0:06:16.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and doesn't know how to do something that
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.80,0:06:19.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,goes by a word that was drilled into me as a kid: mind.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.67,0:06:23.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mind your manners! Mind your adults! Mind what you're saying!
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.56,0:06:27.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is the way children are raised properly.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.08,0:06:29.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I watched my own young grandchildren now come along
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.88,0:06:33.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they're, much to the distress of my children,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.97,0:06:38.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they are acting just like we did. You know? You imprint them.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.65,0:06:43.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's what you have to do to prepare children for education and for school.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.87,0:06:46.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I'm working at all the energy I have
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.13,0:06:48.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to sort of communicate this message that
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.46,0:06:52.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we need preschool, we need Head Start,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.34,0:06:54.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we need prenatal care.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.86,0:06:59.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The education process begins even before the child is born,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.08,0:07:01.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and if you don't do that, you're going to have difficulty.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.78,0:07:04.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we are having difficulties in so many of our communities
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.20,0:07:07.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so many of our schools where kids are coming
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.24,0:07:09.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to first grade and their eyes are blazing,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.55,0:07:13.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they've got their little knapsack on and they're ready to go,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.16,0:07:16.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then they realize they're not like the other first graders
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.56,0:07:21.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who know books, have been read to, can do their alphabet.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.03,0:07:23.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And by the third grade, the kids who didn't have
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.72,0:07:27.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that structure and minding in the beginning
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.87,0:07:29.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,start to realize they're behind, and what do they do?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.78,0:07:33.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They act it out. They act it out, and they're on their way
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.10,0:07:36.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to jail or they're on their way to being dropouts.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.19,0:07:38.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's predictable.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:38.05,0:07:41.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you're not at the right reading level at third grade,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.02,0:07:45.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you are a candidate for jail at age 18,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.09,0:07:47.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we have the highest incarceration rate
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.33,0:07:50.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we're not getting our kids the proper start in life.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.26,0:07:52.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The last chapter in my book is called
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.47,0:07:55.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"The Gift of a Good Start."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.38,0:07:59.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The gift of a good start. Every child ought to have a good start in life.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.08,0:08:01.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was privileged to have that kind of good start.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.78,0:08:03.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was not a great student.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.67,0:08:06.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was a public school kid in New York City,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.34,0:08:08.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I didn't do well at all.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.98,0:08:12.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have my entire New York City Board of Education transcript
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.79,0:08:15.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from kindergarten through college.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.23,0:08:17.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wanted it when I was writing my first book.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.50,0:08:19.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wanted to see if my memory was correct,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.54,0:08:22.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and, my God, it was. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.82,0:08:25.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Straight C everywhere.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.61,0:08:28.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I finally bounced through high school,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.05,0:08:30.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,got into the City College of New York
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.13,0:08:33.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a 78.3 average, which I shouldn't have been allowed in with,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.77,0:08:36.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then I started out in engineering,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.50,0:08:39.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that only lasted six months. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.06,0:08:43.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I went into geology, "rocks for jocks." This is easy.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.08,0:08:45.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I found ROTC.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.08,0:08:49.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I found something that I did well and something that I loved doing,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.01,0:08:52.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I found a group of youngsters like me who felt the same way.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.91,0:08:56.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so my whole life then was dedicated to ROTC and the military.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.89,0:08:59.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I say to young kids everywhere, as you're growing up
Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.56,0:09:02.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and as this structure is being developed inside of you,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.16,0:09:05.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,always be looking for that which you do well and that which you love doing,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.20,0:09:08.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and when you find those two things together, man, you got it.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.33,0:09:10.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's what's going on. And that's what I found.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.70,0:09:13.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now the authorities at CCNY were getting tired of me being there.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.35,0:09:15.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd been there four and a half going on five years,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.15,0:09:19.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and my grades were not doing particularly well,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:19.56,0:09:22.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I was in occasional difficulties with the administration.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.70,0:09:25.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so they said, "But he does so well in ROTC.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.62,0:09:28.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Look, he gets straight A's in that but not in anything else."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.97,0:09:33.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so they said, "Look, let's take his ROTC grades
Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.32,0:09:36.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and roll them into his overall GPA and see what happens."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.77,0:09:43.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they did, and it brought me up to 2.0. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.49,0:09:47.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yep. (Laughter) (Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.22,0:09:50.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They said, "It's good enough for government work.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.27,0:09:53.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Give him to the army. We'll never see him again. We'll never see him again."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.77,0:09:55.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So they shipped me off to the army,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.62,0:09:59.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and lo and behold, many years later,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.29,0:10:03.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm considered one of the greatest sons the City College of New York has ever had. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.59,0:10:06.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I tell young people everywhere,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.80,0:10:10.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it ain't where you start in life, it's what you do with life
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.99,0:10:14.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that determines where you end up in life,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.60,0:10:17.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you are blessed to be living in a country that,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.28,0:10:20.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,no matter where you start, you have opportunities
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.47,0:10:23.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so long as you believe in yourself,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.17,0:10:26.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you believe in the society and the country,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.16,0:10:29.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you believe that you can self-improve
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.58,0:10:31.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and educate yourself as you go along.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.99,0:10:34.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's the key to success.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.23,0:10:37.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it begins with the gift of a good start.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.58,0:10:40.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If we don't give that gift to each and every one of our kids,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.05,0:10:43.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if we don't invest at the earliest age,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:43.73,0:10:46.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we're going to be running into difficulties.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:46.47,0:10:50.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's why we have a dropout rate of roughly 25 percent overall
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.74,0:10:53.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and almost 50 percent of our minority population
Dialogue: 0,0:10:53.46,0:10:56.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,living in low-income areas,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.93,0:10:59.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because they're not getting the gift of a good start.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.71,0:11:03.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My gift of a good start was not only being in a nice family,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.69,0:11:07.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a good family, but having a family that said to me,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.25,0:11:11.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Now listen, we came to this country in banana boats
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.19,0:11:14.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in 1920 and 1924.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:14.56,0:11:18.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We worked like dogs down in the garment industry every single day.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.73,0:11:22.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're not doing it so that you can stick something up your nose
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.26,0:11:26.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or get in trouble. And don't even think about dropping out."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.64,0:11:29.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If I had ever gone home and told those immigrant people
Dialogue: 0,0:11:29.69,0:11:32.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that, "You know, I'm tired of school and I'm dropping out,"
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.16,0:11:34.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they'd said, "We're dropping you out. We'll get another kid."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.81,0:11:41.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.17,0:11:43.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They had expectations for all of the cousins
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.70,0:11:47.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the extended family of immigrants that lived in the South Bronx,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.28,0:11:50.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they had more than just expectations for us.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.44,0:11:54.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They stuck into our hearts like a dagger
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.35,0:11:59.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a sense of shame: "Don't you shame this family."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.21,0:12:00.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sometimes I would get in trouble,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.88,0:12:02.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and my parents were coming home,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:02.72,0:12:06.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I was in my room waiting for what's going to happen,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.20,0:12:08.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I would sit there saying to myself, "Okay, look,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.41,0:12:13.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,take the belt and hit me, but, God, don't give me that 'shame the family' bit again."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.18,0:12:15.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It devastated me when my mother did that to me.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.94,0:12:18.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I also had this extended network.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.11,0:12:21.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Children need a network. Children need to be part of a tribe,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:21.09,0:12:22.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a family, a community.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.98,0:12:27.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In my case it was aunts who lived in all of these tenement buildings.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.20,0:12:29.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't know how many of you are New Yorkers,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.06,0:12:30.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but there were these tenement buildings,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.98,0:12:34.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and these women were always hanging out one of the windows,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.19,0:12:35.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,leaning on a pillow.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:35.81,0:12:38.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They never left. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:38.57,0:12:41.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I, so help me God, I grew up walking those streets,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:41.60,0:12:43.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they were always there.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.09,0:12:45.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They never went to the bathroom. They never cooked. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:45.96,0:12:48.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They never did anything.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.51,0:12:51.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what they did was keep us in play.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.22,0:12:53.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They kept us in play.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:53.50,0:12:55.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they didn't care
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.76,0:13:00.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whether you became a doctor or a lawyer or a general,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.51,0:13:03.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they never expected any generals in the family,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.60,0:13:07.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as long as you got an education and then you got a job.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:07.46,0:13:09.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Don't give us any of that self-actualization stuff.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:09.45,0:13:12.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You get a job and get out of the house.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:12.27,0:13:14.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We don't have time to waste for that.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:14.75,0:13:18.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then you can support us. That's the role of you guys."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:18.32,0:13:23.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so, it's so essential that we kind of put this culture
Dialogue: 0,0:13:23.84,0:13:28.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,back into our families, all families.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:28.13,0:13:31.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it is so important that all of you here today
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.46,0:13:34.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who are successful people,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:34.14,0:13:38.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'm sure have wonderful families and children and grandchildren,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:38.69,0:13:40.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's not enough. You've got to reach out and back
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.43,0:13:43.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and find kids like Mr. Cruz
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.08,0:13:46.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who can make it if you give them the structure,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:46.45,0:13:48.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you reach back and help, if you mentor,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:48.44,0:13:50.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you invest in boys and girls clubs,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:50.81,0:13:52.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you work with your school system,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.70,0:13:53.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make sure it's the best school system,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:53.98,0:13:58.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not just your kid's school, but the school uptown in Harlem,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:58.80,0:14:01.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not just downtown Montessori on the West Side.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.62,0:14:05.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All of us have to have a commitment to do that.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:05.78,0:14:08.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we're not just investing in the kids.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:08.42,0:14:10.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're investing in our future.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:10.48,0:14:13.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're going to be a minority-majority country
Dialogue: 0,0:14:13.30,0:14:15.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in one more generation.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:15.29,0:14:18.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Those that we call minorities now are going to be the majority.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.66,0:14:21.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we have to make sure that they are ready to be the majority.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:21.24,0:14:23.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have to make sure they're ready to be the leaders
Dialogue: 0,0:14:23.47,0:14:26.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of this great country of ours,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:26.42,0:14:29.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a country that is like no other,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:29.90,0:14:31.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a country that amazes me every single day,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:31.58,0:14:34.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a country that's fractious. We're always arguing with each other.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:34.20,0:14:37.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's how the system's supposed to work.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:37.18,0:14:40.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a country of such contrasts, but it's a nation of nations.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:40.76,0:14:44.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We touch every nation. Every nation touches us.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:44.75,0:14:46.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We are a nation of immigrants.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:46.44,0:14:49.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's why we need sound immigration policy.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.58,0:14:52.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's ridiculous not to have a sound immigration policy
Dialogue: 0,0:14:52.82,0:14:55.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to welcome those who want to come here and be part of this great nation,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:55.90,0:14:58.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or we can send back home with an education
Dialogue: 0,0:14:58.05,0:15:01.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to help their people rise up out of poverty.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:01.43,0:15:05.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of the great stories I love to tell is about my love
Dialogue: 0,0:15:05.28,0:15:06.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of going to my hometown of New York
Dialogue: 0,0:15:06.67,0:15:08.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and walking up Park Avenue on a beautiful day
Dialogue: 0,0:15:08.47,0:15:10.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and admiring everything and seeing all the people go by
Dialogue: 0,0:15:10.95,0:15:12.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from all over the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:12.40,0:15:16.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what I always have to do is stop at one of the corners
Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.04,0:15:19.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and get a hot dog from the immigrant pushcart peddler.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:19.43,0:15:22.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gotta have a dirty water dog. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:15:22.58,0:15:25.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And no matter where I am or what I'm doing,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:25.56,0:15:26.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've got to do that.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:26.83,0:15:29.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I even did it when I was Secretary of State.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:29.50,0:15:32.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd come out of my suite at the Waldorf Astoria
Dialogue: 0,0:15:32.40,0:15:35.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,— (Laughter) —
Dialogue: 0,0:15:35.48,0:15:38.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,be walking up the street, and I would hit around 55th Street
Dialogue: 0,0:15:38.79,0:15:41.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,looking for the immigrant pushcart peddler.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:41.10,0:15:43.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In those days, I had five bodyguards around me
Dialogue: 0,0:15:43.30,0:15:46.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and three New York City police cars would roll alongside
Dialogue: 0,0:15:46.19,0:15:51.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make sure nobody whacked me while I was going up Park Avenue. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:15:51.01,0:15:52.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I would order the hot dog from the guy,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:52.68,0:15:55.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he'd start to fix it, and then he'd look around
Dialogue: 0,0:15:55.13,0:15:56.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the bodyguards and the police cars --
Dialogue: 0,0:15:56.80,0:15:58.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I've got a green card! I've got a green card!" (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:15:58.89,0:16:03.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"It's okay, it's okay."
Dialogue: 0,0:16:03.22,0:16:05.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But now I'm alone. I'm alone.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:05.67,0:16:08.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've got no bodyguards, I've got no police cars. I've got nothing.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:08.46,0:16:11.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I gotta have my hot dog.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:11.12,0:16:14.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I did it just last week. It was on a Tuesday evening
Dialogue: 0,0:16:14.89,0:16:17.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,down by Columbus Circle.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:17.19,0:16:20.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the scene repeats itself so often.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:20.04,0:16:23.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'll go up and ask for my hot dog,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:23.40,0:16:25.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the guy will fix it, and as he's finishing,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:25.76,0:16:28.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he'll say, "I know you. I see you on television.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:28.46,0:16:30.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're, well, you're General Powell."
Dialogue: 0,0:16:30.35,0:16:33.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Yes, yes.""Oh ... "
Dialogue: 0,0:16:33.04,0:16:34.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I hand him the money.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:34.20,0:16:39.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"No, General. You can't pay me. I've been paid.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:39.12,0:16:42.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,America has paid me. I never forget where I came from.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:42.88,0:16:46.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But now I'm an American. Sir, thank you."
Dialogue: 0,0:16:46.07,0:16:48.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I accept the generosity, continue up the street,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:48.34,0:16:50.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it washes over me, my God,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:50.57,0:16:54.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's the same country that greeted my parents this way 90 years ago.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:54.59,0:16:56.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we are still that magnificent country,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:56.78,0:16:59.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but we are fueled by young people coming up
Dialogue: 0,0:16:59.55,0:17:02.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from every land in the world,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:02.55,0:17:06.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it is our obligation as contributing citizens
Dialogue: 0,0:17:06.08,0:17:07.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to this wonderful country of ours
Dialogue: 0,0:17:07.87,0:17:11.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make sure that no child gets left behind.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:11.01,0:17:13.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you very much.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:13.09,0:17:25.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)