[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.76,0:00:02.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So earlier this year,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:02.40,0:00:06.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was informed that I would be\Ndoing a TED Talk.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.24,0:00:08.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I was excited, then I panicked,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.24,0:00:10.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then I was excited, then I panicked,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.28,0:00:12.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in between the excitement\Nand the panicking,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.84,0:00:15.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I started to do my research,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.16,0:00:19.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and my research primarily consisted\Nof Googling how to give a great TED Talk.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.64,0:00:20.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.88,0:00:22.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And interspersed with that,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.56,0:00:25.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was Googling Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.28,0:00:26.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How many of you know who that is?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.92,0:00:29.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Cheers)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.72,0:00:32.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I was Googling her\Nbecause I always Google her
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.08,0:00:33.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I'm just a fan,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.36,0:00:36.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also because she always has\Nimportant and interesting things to say.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.00,0:00:40.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the combination of those searches
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.48,0:00:43.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,kept leading me to her talk
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.12,0:00:46.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the dangers of a single story,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.32,0:00:49.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on what happens\Nwhen we have a solitary lens
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.72,0:00:52.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through which to understand\Ncertain groups of people,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.24,0:00:54.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it is the perfect talk.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.72,0:01:00.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's the talk that I would have given\Nif I had been famous first.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.08,0:01:02.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.28,0:01:05.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, and you know,\Nlike, she's African and I'm African,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.68,0:01:07.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she's a feminist and I'm a feminist,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.64,0:01:09.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she's a storyteller\Nand I'm a storyteller,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.84,0:01:11.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so I really felt like it's my talk.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.68,0:01:14.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.44,0:01:17.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I decided that I was going\Nto learn how to code,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.76,0:01:19.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then I was going to hack the internet
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.80,0:01:23.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I would take down all the copies\Nof that talk that existed,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.56,0:01:24.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then I would memorize it,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.00,0:01:28.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then I would come here\Nand deliver it as if it was my own speech.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.28,0:01:31.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that plan was going really well,\Nexcept the coding part,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.48,0:01:35.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then one morning a few months ago,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.40,0:01:36.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I woke up
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.00,0:01:42.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the news that the wife\Nof a certain presidential candidate
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.48,0:01:45.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had given a speech that --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.48,0:01:47.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.44,0:01:50.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.96,0:01:57.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that sounded eerily like a speech\Ngiven by one of my other faves,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.60,0:01:58.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Michelle Obama.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.84,0:02:00.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Cheers)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.96,0:02:04.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so I decided that I should\Nprobably write my own TED Talk,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.00,0:02:07.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so that is what I am here to do.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.52,0:02:11.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm here to talk about\Nmy own observations about storytelling.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.64,0:02:16.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want to talk to you\Nabout the power of stories, of course,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.64,0:02:19.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I also want to talk\Nabout their limitations,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.60,0:02:23.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,particularly for those of us\Nwho are interested in social justice.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.28,0:02:27.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So since Adichie gave that talk\Nseven years ago,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.20,0:02:29.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there has been a boom in storytelling.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.48,0:02:32.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stories are everywhere,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.24,0:02:36.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and if there was a danger\Nin the telling of one tired old tale,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.20,0:02:40.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then I think there has got to be\Nlots to celebrate about the flourishing
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.56,0:02:43.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of so many stories and so many voices.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.36,0:02:46.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stories are the antidote to bias.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.96,0:02:52.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, today, if you are middle class\Nand connected via the internet,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.04,0:02:55.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can download stories\Nat the touch of a button
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.20,0:02:56.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or the swipe of a screen.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.60,0:02:58.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can listen to a podcast
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.44,0:03:02.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about what it's like\Nto grow up Dalit in Kolkata.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.36,0:03:04.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can hear an indigenous\Nman in Australia
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.88,0:03:08.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,talk about the trials and triumphs\Nof raising his children in dignity
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.00,0:03:10.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in pride.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.36,0:03:12.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stories make us fall in love.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.36,0:03:15.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They heal rifts and they bridge divides.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.56,0:03:17.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stories can even make it easier for us
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.44,0:03:20.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to talk about the deaths\Nof people in our societies
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.12,0:03:22.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who don't matter,\Nbecause they make us care.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.60,0:03:23.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.80,0:03:26.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm not so sure,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.08,0:03:29.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I actually work for a place\Ncalled the Centre for Stories.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.84,0:03:34.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And my job is to help to tell stories
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.28,0:03:37.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that challenge mainstream narratives\Nabout what it means to be black
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.84,0:03:40.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or a Muslim or a refugee\Nor any of those other categories
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.92,0:03:43.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we talk about all the time.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.96,0:03:45.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I come to this work
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.20,0:03:48.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,after a long history\Nas a social justice activist,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.72,0:03:50.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so I'm really interested in the ways
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.88,0:03:53.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that people talk\Nabout nonfiction storytelling
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.60,0:03:55.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as though it's about\Nmore than entertainment,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.96,0:03:58.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as though it's about being\Na catalyst for social action.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.56,0:04:02.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not uncommon to hear people say
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.24,0:04:05.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that stories make\Nthe world a better place.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.96,0:04:10.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Increasingly, though, I worry\Nthat even the most poignant stories,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.20,0:04:14.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,particularly the stories about people\Nwho no one seems to care about,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.16,0:04:17.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can often get in the way\Nof action towards social justice.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.60,0:04:21.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this is not because\Nstorytellers mean any harm.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.44,0:04:22.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Quite the contrary.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.72,0:04:26.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Storytellers are often do-gooders\Nlike me and, I suspect, yourselves.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.60,0:04:30.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the audiences of storytellers
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.68,0:04:33.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are often deeply compassionate\Nand empathetic people.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.36,0:04:39.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Still, good intentions\Ncan have unintended consequences,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.20,0:04:43.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so I want to propose that stories\Nare not as magical as they seem.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.68,0:04:46.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So three -- because\Nit's always got to be three --
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.60,0:04:48.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,three reasons why I think
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.84,0:04:53.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that stories don't necessarily\Nmake the world a better place.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.32,0:04:58.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Firstly, stories can create\Nan illusion of solidarity.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.40,0:05:00.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is nothing\Nlike that feel-good factor you get
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.96,0:05:03.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from listening to a fantastic story
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.12,0:05:06.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where you feel like you\Nclimbed that mountain, right,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.52,0:05:09.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or that you befriended\Nthat death row inmate.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.84,0:05:11.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But you didn't.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.28,0:05:13.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You haven't done anything.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.12,0:05:14.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Listening is an important
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.92,0:05:17.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but insufficient step\Ntowards social action.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.12,0:05:21.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Secondly, I think often we are drawn
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.00,0:05:24.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,towards characters and protagonists
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.96,0:05:28.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who are likable and human.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.44,0:05:30.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this makes sense, of course, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.36,0:05:33.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because if you like someone,\Nthen you care about them.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.44,0:05:34.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the inverse is also true.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.40,0:05:37.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you don't like someone,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.20,0:05:39.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then you don't care about them.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.16,0:05:41.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if you don't care about them,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.04,0:05:44.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you don't have to see yourself\Nas having a moral obligation
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.96,0:05:48.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to think about the circumstances\Nthat shaped their lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.00,0:05:52.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned this lesson\Nwhen I was 14 years old.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.32,0:05:55.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned that actually,\Nyou don't have to like someone
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.12,0:05:56.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to recognize their wisdom,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.52,0:05:58.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you certainly\Ndon't have to like someone
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.64,0:06:00.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to take a stand by their side.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.80,0:06:02.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So my bike was stolen
Dialogue: 0,0:06:03.52,0:06:04.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while I was riding it --
Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.00,0:06:06.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.16,0:06:09.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is possible if you're\Nriding slowly enough, which I was.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.76,0:06:11.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.28,0:06:14.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So one minute\NI'm cutting across this field
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.28,0:06:16.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the Nairobi neighborhood\Nwhere I grew up,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.60,0:06:19.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's like a very bumpy path,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.08,0:06:20.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so when you're riding a bike,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.92,0:06:23.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you don't want to be like, you know --
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.20,0:06:24.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.16,0:06:30.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so I'm going like this,\Nslowly pedaling,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.80,0:06:33.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all of a sudden, I'm on the floor.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.40,0:06:35.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm on the ground, and I look up,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.60,0:06:38.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and there's this kid peddling away\Nin the getaway vehicle,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.40,0:06:39.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is my bike,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.92,0:06:43.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he's about 11 or 12 years old,\Nand I'm on the floor,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.20,0:06:46.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'm crying because I saved\Na lot of money for that bike,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.08,0:06:48.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'm crying and I stand up\Nand I start screaming.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.68,0:06:52.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instinct steps in,\Nand I start screaming, "Mwizi, mwizi!"
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.96,0:06:54.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which means "thief" in Swahili.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.56,0:07:00.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And out of the woodworks,\Nall of these people come out
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.60,0:07:02.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they start to give chase.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.04,0:07:04.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is Africa, so mob justice in action.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.32,0:07:05.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.80,0:07:08.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I round the corner,\Nand they've captured him,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.60,0:07:10.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they've caught him.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.08,0:07:12.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The suspect has been apprehended,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.16,0:07:15.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they make him give me my bike back,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.76,0:07:17.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they also make him apologize.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.40,0:07:20.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Again, you know,\Ntypical African justice, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.00,0:07:22.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so they make him say sorry.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.52,0:07:24.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so we stand there facing each other,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.88,0:07:27.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he looks at me, and he says sorry,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.84,0:07:31.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he looks at me\Nwith this unbridled fury.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.36,0:07:34.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He is very, very angry.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.44,0:07:38.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it is the first time that I have been\Nconfronted with someone
Dialogue: 0,0:07:38.52,0:07:41.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who doesn't like me\Nsimply because of what I represent.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.16,0:07:43.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He looks at me\Nwith this look as if to say,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.24,0:07:47.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You, with your shiny skin\Nand your bike, you're angry at me?"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.24,0:07:52.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it was a hard lesson\Nthat he didn't like me,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.52,0:07:54.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but you know what, he was right.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.60,0:07:58.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was a middle-class kid\Nliving in a poor country.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.12,0:08:01.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had a bike, and he barely had food.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.76,0:08:04.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sometimes, it's the messages\Nthat we don't want to hear,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.72,0:08:07.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the ones that make us\Nwant to crawl out of ourselves,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.24,0:08:09.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we need to hear the most.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.84,0:08:13.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For every lovable storyteller\Nwho steals your heart,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.04,0:08:17.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there are hundreds more\Nwhose voices are slurred and ragged,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.44,0:08:22.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who don't get to stand up on a stage\Ndressed in fine clothes like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.64,0:08:26.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are a million\Nangry-boy-on-a-bike stories
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.96,0:08:28.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we can't afford to ignore them
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.64,0:08:31.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,simply because we don't like\Ntheir protagonists
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.80,0:08:34.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or because that's not the kid\Nthat we would bring home with us
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.76,0:08:35.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from the orphanage.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.60,0:08:38.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The third reason that I think
Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.48,0:08:42.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that stories don't necessarily\Nmake the world a better place
Dialogue: 0,0:08:42.12,0:08:45.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that too often we are so invested\Nin the personal narrative
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.60,0:08:48.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we forget\Nto look at the bigger picture.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.88,0:08:50.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so we applaud someone
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.80,0:08:53.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when they tell us\Nabout their feelings of shame,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.48,0:08:56.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but we don't necessarily\Nlink that to oppression.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.08,0:09:00.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We nod understandingly\Nwhen someone says they felt small,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.76,0:09:02.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but we don't link that to discrimination.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.60,0:09:06.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The most important stories,\Nespecially for social justice,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.44,0:09:08.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are those that do both,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.28,0:09:13.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are both personal and allow us\Nto explore and understand the political.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.92,0:09:15.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it's not just\Nabout the stories we like
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.96,0:09:17.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,versus the stories we choose to ignore.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.88,0:09:21.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Increasingly, we are living in a society\Nwhere there are larger forces at play,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.84,0:09:26.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where stories are actually for many people\Nbeginning to replace the news.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.64,0:09:27.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yeah?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.88,0:09:31.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We live in a time where we are witnessing\Nthe decline of facts,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.28,0:09:33.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when emotions rule
Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.52,0:09:36.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and analysis, it's kind of boring, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.64,0:09:40.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where we value what we feel\Nmore than what we actually know.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.04,0:09:46.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A recent report by the Pew Center\Non trends in America
Dialogue: 0,0:09:46.36,0:09:52.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,indicates that only 10 percent\Nof young adults under the age of 30
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.16,0:09:55.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"place a lot of trust in the media."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.56,0:09:57.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this is significant.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.84,0:10:00.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It means that storytellers\Nare gaining trust
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.48,0:10:01.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at precisely the same moment
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.88,0:10:05.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that many in the media\Nare losing the confidence in the public.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.04,0:10:08.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is not a good thing,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.64,0:10:10.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because while stories are important
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.44,0:10:12.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they help us\Nto have insights in many ways,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.68,0:10:14.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we need the media.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.56,0:10:17.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From my years\Nas a social justice activist,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.08,0:10:23.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know very well that we need\Ncredible facts from media institutions
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.20,0:10:27.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,combined with the powerful voices\Nof storytellers.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:27.24,0:10:30.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's what pushes the needle forward\Nin terms of social justice.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.84,0:10:34.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the final analysis, of course,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.48,0:10:38.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it is justice
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.32,0:10:40.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that makes the world a better place,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.08,0:10:42.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not stories. Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:43.08,0:10:46.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so if it is justice that we are after,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:46.16,0:10:49.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then I think we mustn't focus\Non the media or on storytellers.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.60,0:10:52.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We must focus on audiences,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.32,0:10:55.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on anyone who has ever turned on a radio
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.44,0:10:57.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or listened to a podcast,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.28,0:10:59.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that means all of us.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.40,0:11:01.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So a few concluding thoughts
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.56,0:11:05.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on what audiences can do\Nto make the world a better place.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.00,0:11:09.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So firstly, the world\Nwould be a better place, I think,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.96,0:11:13.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if audiences were more curious\Nand more skeptical
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.56,0:11:16.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and asked more questions\Nabout the social context
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.20,0:11:19.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that created those stories\Nthat they love so much.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:20.20,0:11:22.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Secondly, the world\Nwould be a better place
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.48,0:11:26.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if audiences recognized\Nthat storytelling is intellectual work.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:27.64,0:11:30.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I think it would\Nbe important for audiences
Dialogue: 0,0:11:30.60,0:11:35.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to demand more buttons\Non their favorite websites,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.96,0:11:38.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,buttons for example that say,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.68,0:11:40.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"If you liked this story,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.32,0:11:44.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,click here to support a cause\Nyour storyteller believes in."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.40,0:11:49.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or "click here to contribute\Nto your storyteller's next big idea."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.48,0:11:53.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Often, we are committed to the platforms,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:53.08,0:11:55.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but not necessarily\Nto the storytellers themselves.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:55.56,0:12:00.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then lastly, I think that audiences\Ncan make the world a better place
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.68,0:12:02.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by switching off their phones,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.56,0:12:05.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by stepping away from their screens
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.60,0:12:10.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and stepping out into the real world\Nbeyond what feels safe.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:10.84,0:12:12.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Alice Walker has said,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:12.88,0:12:16.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Look closely at the present\Nyou are constructing.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:16.68,0:12:19.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It should look like the future\Nyou are dreaming."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.64,0:12:22.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Storytellers can help us to dream,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.88,0:12:26.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it's up to all of us\Nto have a plan for justice.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.48,0:12:28.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:28.72,0:12:33.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)