In uncertain times, think like a mother | Yifat Susskind

Summary

In this powerful speech, the speaker recounts her experience on 9/11 with her infant son and reflects on the subsequent years of global crises. She advocates for a 'thinking like a mother' approach, emphasizing a nurturing, protective, and future-oriented mindset that can guide us through challenges. Drawing on personal anecdotes and examples of individuals making a difference, she inspires listeners to act with love and justice, prioritizing the vulnerable and envisioning a better world.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker recalls the tragic day of 9/11 and how it marked a transition into a world of uncertainty and fear, highlighting the importance of perspective in facing global crises.
• 👶 The concept of 'thinking like a mother' is introduced as a powerful and universal approach to problem-solving, emphasizing care and foresight beyond one's immediate circle.
• 🌱 The idea of planting a 'seed' in the present to cultivate a better future is used as a metaphor for action in the face of adversity, suggesting that change is possible even amidst challenges.
• 🌐 Majid's story from Iraq exemplifies the practical application of 'thinking like a mother', where he risked his life to build an escape network for those targeted by violence.
• 🌈 The speaker argues that social justice and motherhood share a commonality in acting with a vision of a desired future, suggesting that all significant societal changes started as seemingly impossible ideas.
• 💡 The importance of maintaining a sense of possibility and optimism is underscored, drawing on the speaker's mother's philosophy to cope with suffering and inspire action.
• 🌱 The story of Sudanese women farmers highlights the power of collective action and the spirit of philanthropy, even among those who have little, to make a difference.
• 🌍 'Thinking like a mother' is described as a broader perspective that includes considering the needs and vulnerabilities of all, especially the most marginalized members of society.
• ❤️ The core of 'thinking like a mother' is identified as love, which is presented as a renewable resource and a driving force for social change and justice.
• 🛡️ The speaker challenges the notion of some mothers who may not embody the values of 'thinking like a mother', pointing out that everyone has a choice in how they respond to global issues.
• 🚢 The final call to action is to 'think like a mother' as a means to build a more inclusive and caring world, suggesting that this mindset can guide policy and social action.

Q & A

What significant event did the speaker witness with her six-month-old son in New York City?

The speaker witnessed the World Trade Center on fire on a beautiful September day, which was the 9/11 attack.

How does the speaker describe the feeling of the world post-9/11?

The speaker describes the feeling as crossing a hostile border into dangerous and uncharted territory.

What does the speaker suggest as a way to face the world's big crises without feeling overwhelmed?

The speaker suggests thinking like a mother as a way to face crises without feeling overwhelmed and despairing.

According to the speaker, what is the core of thinking like a mother?

The core of thinking like a mother is love, which is described as a capacity, a verb, and an endlessly renewable resource.

What does the speaker say about the potential of planting a seed in the midst of crisis?

The speaker believes that even in the midst of crisis, one can plant a seed and cultivate what they want to see grow.

Who is Majid and what did he do during the ISIS invasion of northern Iraq?

Majid is an Iraqi housepainter who helped build an underground railroad for women's rights activists and LGBTIQ folks targeted with assassination during the ISIS invasion.

What does the speaker say about the power of social justice work and mothering?

The speaker equates social justice work and mothering, stating that both involve acting in the present with an idea of the future they want to bring about.

What example does the speaker provide to illustrate the concept of thinking like a mother?

The speaker provides the example of women farmers in Sudan who pooled their extra money to help Somali mothers during a famine, despite their own struggles.

How does the speaker relate the concept of love to public policy and social values?

The speaker relates love to public policy by stating that justice is what love looks like in public, and when love is positioned as a leading value, it accounts for the most vulnerable in society.

What question does the speaker pose regarding the future that seems impossible but may one day feel inevitable?

The speaker poses questions about ending violence against women, making war a thing of the past, living in balance with nature, and ensuring everyone has what they need to thrive.

What does the speaker mean by 'building a mother ship' and what is the alternative?

The speaker means by 'building a mother ship' working together to create a world that can carry everyone, as opposed to jumping on an 'armed lifeboat' fueled by racism and xenophobia, which represents a selfish and exclusionary approach.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Raising a Child in a World of Crises

The speaker recounts the day 18 years ago when she witnessed the World Trade Center on fire with her infant son in New York City. She reflects on the fear and protective instinct that arose, not wanting her child to see the horrors of the 9/11 attacks. She likens that day to crossing into a dangerous and uncharted territory, symbolizing the various crises the world has faced since, including climate change, wars, economic instability, and political divisions. Despite these challenges, she emphasizes the importance of thinking like a mother to face these crises without being overwhelmed. She explains that 'thinking like a mother' is a perspective accessible to everyone, not just parents, and is about understanding and addressing the world's needs. The speaker shares her experiences leading a global women's rights organization and how this mindset can lead to positive change, even in the face of adversity.

05:02

🌱 Cultivating Hope in the Midst of Adversity

The speaker discusses the concept of 'thinking like a mother' as a way to cultivate hope and take action in the face of global challenges. She uses the example of Majid from Iraq, who, despite the invasion of ISIS, worked to create an escape network for women's rights activists and LGBTIQ individuals. Majid's actions exemplify the idea of building a brighter future in dark times. The speaker also talks about the power of social justice work and how it mirrors the actions of mothers who act with a vision of the future they wish to create. She reflects on the many social advancements that once seemed impossible but eventually came to pass, such as the end of apartheid and marriage equality. The speaker encourages the audience to hold onto the belief that something good is coming, as her mother did, and to act on that belief to create positive change.

10:02

🌍 Acting with the Vision of a Mother

In this paragraph, the speaker explores the practical implications of thinking like a mother, particularly in the context of global crises like famine. She tells the story of women farmers in Sudan who, despite their own struggles, pooled their resources to help Somali mothers affected by famine. This act of kindness and solidarity demonstrates the motherly instinct to see oneself as part of the solution and to take action. The speaker argues that thinking like a mother involves prioritizing the needs of the vulnerable and using love as a guiding principle in public life. She suggests that love, when applied to policy and social values, can lead to more compassionate and inclusive decisions. The speaker concludes by challenging the audience to choose between building an 'armed lifeboat' or a 'mother ship' that can carry everyone, emphasizing the collective responsibility to repair the world and ease suffering.

Keywords

💡9/11

9/11 refers to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which had a profound impact on global politics and security. In the script, the narrator recalls stepping out of a subway on a beautiful September day to witness the World Trade Center on fire, marking a turning point into a 'hostile, uncharted territory.' This event is used as a metaphor for the sudden and drastic changes in the world, setting the stage for the broader themes of resilience and proactive change discussed throughout the video.

💡Motherhood

Motherhood in the script transcends the biological act of giving birth and is portrayed as a universal perspective that prioritizes care and protection. The narrator suggests that 'thinking like a mother' is a mindset accessible to everyone, regardless of gender or parental status. This concept is central to the video's message, as it encourages a nurturing and protective approach to addressing global crises, as exemplified by the actions of individuals like Majid and the Sudanese women farmers.

💡Crisis

Crisis is a recurring theme in the script, encompassing a wide range of global challenges such as climate breakdown, wars, economic meltdowns, and political divisions. The narrator discusses these crises as 'hostile, uncharted territory' that the world has entered, and from which there is a call to action to not be overwhelmed but to act with foresight and care, much like a mother would for her child.

💡Social Justice

Social justice is the concept of creating a society where every member can meet their basic needs and has equal access to resources and opportunities. The script uses the example of Majid, who risked his life to help build an escape network for women's rights activists and LGBTIQ individuals during the ISIS invasion in Iraq. His actions exemplify social justice work, aligning with the video's theme of proactive, future-oriented change.

💡Possibility

Possibility, as mentioned in the script, represents the potential for positive change and the belief in a better future. The narrator's mother's optimistic outlook, encapsulated in the phrase 'Something good is going to happen,' is a seed of possibility that the narrator carries into her work and life. This concept is integral to the video's message, suggesting that envisioning a better future can motivate action and change.

💡Vulnerability

Vulnerability in the script is used to describe the state of being exposed to the possibility of being harmed or suffering. It is often associated with the most marginalized and underprivileged members of society. The narrator advocates for 'thinking like a mother,' which involves seeing the world through the eyes of those responsible for its most vulnerable, thus prioritizing their needs and protection.

💡Love

Love is presented in the script as a powerful force that extends beyond personal relationships and into public life. The narrator quotes Cornel West, who says, 'Justice is what love looks like in public.' This concept is central to the video's message, suggesting that love, when applied to policy and social action, can lead to justice and the betterment of society.

💡Philanthropy

Philanthropy is the act of promoting the welfare of others, especially through the generous donation of money to good causes. In the script, the Sudanese women farmers are described as practicing philanthropy by pooling their resources to help Somali mothers affected by famine. Their actions redefine traditional notions of philanthropy, highlighting the capacity for love and care even in the most challenging circumstances.

💡Hope

Hope is a central theme in the script, depicted as a driving force behind action and change. The narrator discusses migration as 'an act of hope,' reflecting the aspiration for a better life that motivates people to take risks and seek new opportunities. This concept is integral to the video's message of proactively working towards a better future.

💡Justice

Justice in the script is closely linked to the concept of love and is described as love's manifestation in public life. The narrator argues for a repositioning of love as a leading value in policy-making, which would prioritize the needs of the vulnerable and promote social justice. This concept is crucial to the video's message, suggesting that justice is an active, public expression of care and fairness.

Highlights

A personal account of witnessing the 9/11 attacks with a six-month-old son.

The emotional response of shielding a child from the traumatic event of 9/11.

The metaphor of 9/11 as crossing into uncharted and dangerous territory.

Reflections on the challenges of protecting a child in a world filled with crises.

The concept of 'thinking like a mother' as a powerful lens for addressing global crises.

The idea that motherhood is not just about giving birth, but understanding the world's needs.

The importance of planting seeds of change even in the midst of crisis.

The story of Majid from Iraq, who built an escape network for targeted women's rights activists and LGBTIQ individuals.

The belief that a brighter future must be built in dark times to eventually live in the light.

Examples of once-impossible ideas that became inevitable through collective action.

The mother's influence on the speaker's optimism and approach to suffering.

The vision of a future free from violence against women, war, and environmental imbalance.

The story of Sudanese women farmers who pooled resources to help Somali mothers during a famine.

The concept of 'thinking like a mother' as a way to see the world through the eyes of those responsible for its most vulnerable.

The definition of love in the public sphere as 'justice', according to Cornel West.

The idea that every policy is an expression of social values, with love being the most inclusive.

The call to prioritize the needs of the many over the whims of the few when thinking like a mother.

The challenge to choose between an armed lifeboat or a 'mother ship' that can carry everyone.

The conclusion that 'thinking like a mother' is a tool for building the world we want.

Transcripts

One morning, 18 years ago,

I stepped out of a New York City subway on a beautiful day in September.

The sun was warm and bright, the sky was a clear, perfect blue.

I had my six-month-old son in one of those front-facing baby carriers,

you know, so he could see everything.

And when I turned right on Sixth Avenue,

what he saw

was the World Trade Center on fire.

As soon as I realized that this was an attack,

the first thing I did, without even really thinking about it,

was to take my baby and turn him around in that carrier.

I didn't want him to see what was going on.

And I just remember feeling so grateful that he was still young enough

that I didn't have to tell him that someone had done this on purpose.

9/11 was like crossing a border,

a hostile border into dangerous, uncharted territory.

The world was suddenly in this terrifying new place,

and I was in this place as a new mother.

I remember my thoughts kind of ping-ponging around

from, "How am I ever going to protect this baby?"

to, "How am I ever going to get some sleep?"

Well, my son turned 18 this year,

along with millions of other people who were babies on 9/11.

And in that time,

we have all crossed into this hostile, uncharted territory

of climate breakdown,

of endless wars,

of economic meltdowns,

of deep political divisions,

of the many crises around the world that I don't need to list off,

because they are blaring at you every single day from your news feed.

But there is something I've learned in these 18 years of parenting

and in my years leading a global women's rights organization.

There is a way to face these big crises in the world

without feeling overwhelmed and despairing.

It's simple, and it's powerful.

It's to think like a mother.

Now, to be clear, you don't have to be a woman

or a parent to do this.

Thinking like a mother is a lens that's available to everybody.

The poet Alexis De Veaux writes,

"Motherhood is not simply the organic process of giving birth.

It's an understanding of the needs of the world."

Now, it's easy to focus on all of the obstacles

to making this the world we want:

greed, inequality, violence.

Yes, there is all of that.

But there's also the option to plant a seed, a different seed,

and cultivate what you want to see grow,

even in the midst of crisis.

Majid from Iraq understands this.

He is a housepainter by trade

and someone who believes deeply in equal rights for women.

When ISIS invaded northern Iraq where he lives,

he worked with a local women's organization

to help build an underground railroad,

an escape network for women's rights activists

and LGBTIQ folks who were targeted with assassination.

And when I asked Majid why he risked his own life

to bring people to safety,

he said to me,

"If we want a brighter future,

we have to build it now in the dark times

so that one day we can live in the light."

That's what social justice work is, and that's what mothers do.

We act in the present with an idea of the future

that we want to bring about.

All of the best ideas seem impossible at first.

But just in my lifetime,

we've seen the end of apartheid,

the affirmation that women's rights are human rights,

marriage equality,

the fall of dictators who ruled for decades

and so much more.

All of these things seemed impossible

until people took action to make them happen,

and then, like, almost right away,

they seemed inevitable.

When I was growing up,

whether we were stuck in traffic or dealing with a family tragedy,

my mother would say,

"Something good is going to happen, we just don't know what it is yet."

Now, I will admit that my brothers and I make fun of her for this,

but people ask me all the time

how I deal with the suffering that I see in my work

in refugee camps and disaster zones,

and I think of my mom and that seed of possibility

that she planted in me.

Because, when you believe that something good is coming

and you're part of making it happen,

you start to be able to see beyond the suffering

to how things could be.

Today, there is a new set of necessary ideas

that seem impossible but one day will feel inevitable:

that we could end violence against women,

make war a thing of the past,

learn to live in balance with nature before it's too late

and make sure that everybody has what they need to thrive.

Of course, being able to picture a future like this is not the same thing

as knowing what to do to make it come about,

but thinking like a mother can help with that, too.

A few years ago,

East Africa was gripped by a famine,

and women I know from Somalia

walked for days carrying their hungry children

in search of food and water.

A quarter of a million people died,

and half of them were babies and toddlers.

And while this catastrophe unfolded,

too much of the world looked away.

But a group of women farmers in Sudan,

including Fatima Ahmed -- that's her holding the corn --

heard about what was happening.

And they pooled together the extra money that they had from their harvest

and asked me to send it to those Somali mothers.

Now, these farmers could have decided that they didn't have the power to act.

They were barely getting by themselves,

some of them.

They lived without electricity, without furniture.

But they overrode that.

They did what mothers do:

they saw themselves as the solution and they took action.

You do it all the time if you have kids.

You make major decisions about their health care,

their education, their emotional well-being,

even if you're not a doctor or a teacher or a therapist.

You recognize what your child needs

and you step up to provide it the best you can.

Thinking like a mother means seeing the whole world

through the eyes of those who are responsible

for its most vulnerable people.

And we're not used to thinking of subsistence farmers as philanthropists,

but those women were practicing the root meaning of philanthropy:

love for humanity.

What's at the core of thinking like a mother shouldn't be a surprise:

it's love.

Because, love is more than just an emotion.

It's a capacity, a verb,

an endlessly renewable resource --

and not just in our private lives.

We recognize hate in the public sphere.

Right? Hate speech, hate crimes.

But not love.

What is love in the public sphere?

Well, Cornel West, who is not a mother but thinks like one,

says it best:

"Justice is what love looks like in public."

And when we remember that every policy is an expression of social values,

love stands out as that superstar value,

the one best able to account for the most vulnerable among us.

And when we position love as a kind of leading edge

in policy making,

we get new answers to fundamental social questions,

like, "What's the economy for?"

"What is our commitment to those in the path of the hurricane?"

"How do we greet those arriving to our borders?"

When you think like a mother,

you prioritize the needs of the many,

not the whims of the few.

When you think like a mother,

you don't build a seawall around beachfront property,

because that would divert floodwaters

to communities that are still exposed.

When you think like a mother,

you don't try to prosecute someone

for leaving water for people crossing the desert.

Because, you know --

(Applause)

Because you know that migration,

just like mothering,

is an act of hope.

Now, not every mother thinks like a mother.

When presented with a choice, some of us have made the wrong one,

hiding behind weapons or barbed wire or privilege

to deny the rest of the world,

thinking they can see their way to safety in some kind of armed lifeboat

fueled by racism and xenophobia.

Not every mother is a role model,

but all of us have a choice.

Are we going to jump on that armed lifeboat

or work together to build a mother ship that can carry everyone?

You know how to build that mother ship,

how to repair the world and ease the suffering.

Think like a mother.

Thinking like a mother is a tool we can all use

to build the world we want.

Thank you.

(Applause)