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.