My identity is a superpower -- not an obstacle | America Ferrera | TED

Summary

In this powerful speech, the speaker recounts her journey as a Latina actress in Hollywood, facing stereotypes and discrimination. Despite the industry's resistance to authentic representation, she persevered, eventually landing roles that celebrated her identity. The success of 'Real Women Have Curves' and 'Ugly Betty' challenged norms but industry change was slow. She calls for a cultural shift, urging individuals to question their beliefs and embrace their identities as superpowers, advocating for a more inclusive and reflective media landscape.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The speaker's childhood dream was to become an actress, inspired by dancing and singing to the movie 'Gypsy'.
• 🌟 Despite facing discouragement due to her ethnicity and background, she believed in the American ideal that anyone could achieve anything.
• 🎬 Her first professional audition included a request to 'sound more Latina' in English, which led to a realization about stereotypes and casting expectations.
• 🚫 The speaker faced numerous rejections for roles that were stereotypical and didn't align with her aspirations for complex and multidimensional characters.
• 💔 She experienced the harsh reality of the entertainment industry's limited view of her identity and potential, which led to feelings of rejection and shame.
• 🔄 In an attempt to fit in, she tried to change her appearance and mannerisms to be less 'ethnic', but this didn't lead to the desired outcomes.
• 🌈 The breakthrough role as Ana in 'Real Women Have Curves' showcased her authenticity and resonated with diverse audiences, proving the value of her story.
• 🏆 Success in 'Real Women Have Curves' and 'Ugly Betty' did not lead to immediate change in the industry's approach to diverse representation.
• 🤔 The speaker reflects on the systemic barriers that persist despite her achievements, questioning the industry's excuses for lack of diversity.
• 💡 She calls for a change in fundamental values and beliefs, urging individuals to align their actions with their intentions for true representation.
• 🌍 The speech concludes with a powerful message that identity should be embraced as a superpower, not an obstacle, and that collective authenticity is the world's reality.

Q & A

What was the speaker's childhood dream, and how did she express it?

The speaker's childhood dream was to become an actress. She expressed it by dancing and singing to the made-for-TV movie 'Gypsy,' starring Bette Midler, with a sense of urgency and burning desire.

What challenges did the speaker face in pursuing her dream of becoming an actress?

The speaker faced challenges such as not seeing representation of people who looked like her in Hollywood, being warned by family and friends that people like her didn't make it in the industry, and experiencing stereotypes and limited roles due to her ethnicity and background.

What was the casting director's request during the speaker's first professional audition, and how did it make her feel?

The casting director asked her to 'sound more Latina,' which implied speaking in broken English. This request left her confused and made her realize that being an authentic Latina didn't seem to matter in the audition.

How did the speaker's manager respond to her desire for roles that were not stereotypes?

The manager responded by suggesting that someone should tell her she had unrealistic expectations, indicating that he did not believe in the possibility of her landing such roles.

What was the ironic twist in the speaker's career that led to her breakthrough?

The ironic twist was that the role that made her dreams come true was one that required her to be exactly who she was—a brown, poor, fat Latina in 'Real Women Have Curves.'

How did the audience react to the speaker's performance in 'Real Women Have Curves'?

The audience, regardless of their age, ethnicity, or body type, saw themselves in her character, Ana, and the film was a critical, cultural, and financial success.

What was the speaker's expectation after the success of 'Real Women Have Curves'?

She expected that the success would lead to a change in the industry, with more stories about people like her being told and more opportunities for diverse representation.

What was the reality of the industry's response to the success of 'Ugly Betty'?

Despite 'Ugly Betty' being nominated for 11 Emmys in its first year, there was no significant change in the industry. No other television show led by a Latina actress appeared on American television for eight years after its success.

How did the speaker feel about being the first and only Latina to win an Emmy in a lead category?

The speaker felt deep frustration, not because of the award itself, but because the lack of representation and diversity in the industry meant that it was not a point of pride but rather a point of deep frustration.

What realization did the speaker come to regarding the entertainment industry's value system?

She realized that she was never actually asking the system to change; she was asking it to let her in. She understood that she couldn't change what the system believed about her while she believed the same things.

What conclusion did the speaker reach about the need for change in the industry?

The speaker concluded that change will not come by identifying the good guys and the bad guys but by each person questioning their own fundamental values and beliefs and ensuring that their actions align with their best intentions.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Overcoming Stereotypes in Hollywood

The speaker recounts her childhood dream of becoming an actress, despite the lack of representation for someone of her background in the entertainment industry. She describes the challenges she faced, including the expectation to 'sound more Latina' by speaking broken English and the limited, stereotypical roles offered to her. The speaker's struggle with the industry's narrow view of her identity and her determination to play complex, multidimensional characters are highlighted. She also touches on the unrealistic expectations placed on her by the industry and her own manager, and the realization that her identity was seen as an obstacle rather than an asset.

05:02

🌟 Authentic Representation and Its Impact

This paragraph details the speaker's breakthrough role as Ana in 'Real Women Have Curves,' a character that authentically represented her identity as a Latina. The role's success demonstrated that there was an audience for diverse stories, contrary to industry beliefs. The speaker reflects on the impact of this role and the subsequent role of Ugly Betty, which also found critical acclaim and a large audience. However, she expresses frustration that despite these successes, the industry did not change its approach to diverse representation. The story of Malala, who was inspired by 'Ugly Betty,' underscores the power of representation in shaping dreams and possibilities.

10:07

🔄 The Illusion of Progress and the Need for Change

The speaker discusses the disillusionment she felt as she witnessed the lack of progress in the industry despite her successes. She describes the repeated excuses for not casting diversely and the heartbreaking realization that her identity was still seen as a barrier. The paragraph culminates in a personal moment of revelation, where she acknowledges her own complicity in perpetuating the system's beliefs by trying to fit in. She calls for a change that starts with questioning one's own values and ensuring actions align with intentions. The speaker concludes by embracing her identity as a superpower and urging the industry to reflect the true diversity of the world.

Keywords

💡Dream

The concept of 'dream' in the script refers to the aspirations and goals one holds deeply, especially in the context of career and personal fulfillment. It is central to the video's theme as the speaker talks about her childhood dream of becoming an actress and the challenges she faced in pursuing it. The script illustrates this with the line, 'My dream was to be an actress,' showcasing the speaker's unwavering determination despite societal and industry barriers.

💡Identity

In the script, 'identity' encompasses the speaker's ethnic background, physical appearance, and personal characteristics that define her as an individual. It is a key concept as the speaker discusses how her identity was perceived as an obstacle in her acting career. The term is used to highlight the prejudices and stereotypes she encountered, such as being asked to 'sound more Latina' in a way that perpetuated harmful stereotypes.

💡Stereotype

A 'stereotype' in this context refers to a widely held but oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. The script uses this term to describe the limited and often negative roles offered to the speaker because of her ethnicity and appearance. Examples from the script include 'the gang-banger's girlfriend' and 'the sassy shoplifter,' which were roles that reduced her to a caricature rather than allowing her to portray complex characters.

💡Opportunity

'Opportunity' in the script represents the chances and possibilities available to the speaker to achieve her goals. It is closely tied to the video's theme as it is discussed in the context of how the speaker's identity affected her access to roles and the industry's willingness to provide her with chances to prove herself. The manager's statement, 'Someone has to tell that girl she has unrealistic expectations,' reflects the lack of opportunity she faced.

💡Representation

The term 'representation' is used to describe the portrayal or characterization of someone or something in the media and society. In the script, it is a central theme as the speaker talks about the lack of authentic representation of her identity in the roles she was offered and her desire to see more multidimensional characters like herself on screen.

💡Authenticity

'Authenticity' refers to the quality of being genuine and real. In the script, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and not conforming to the industry's expectations or stereotypes. The role of Ana in 'Real Women Have Curves' is an example of authenticity, as it allowed the speaker to be the center of her own story without having to change her identity.

💡Barrier

A 'barrier' is an obstacle or hindrance. In the context of the script, it symbolizes the societal and industry-related challenges the speaker faced due to her identity. The speaker mentions working to 'overcome all the things that people said were wrong with me,' indicating her struggle against these barriers in her pursuit of an acting career.

💡Emmy

The 'Emmy' is a prestigious television award, and in the script, it signifies recognition and success in the entertainment industry. The speaker reflects on being the first and only Latina to win an Emmy in a lead category, highlighting the lack of diversity and representation in the industry's highest honors.

💡Change

'Change' in the script refers to the transformation the speaker desires in the entertainment industry, particularly in terms of diversity and the authentic representation of different identities. The speaker realizes that change will not come from asking the system to let her in but from questioning and changing her own beliefs and those of the industry.

💡Superpower

In the script, 'superpower' is used metaphorically to describe the speaker's identity as a source of strength and uniqueness rather than a limitation. The term is used to convey the message that embracing one's identity can be a powerful tool for overcoming obstacles and achieving success, as seen in the speaker's realization that 'my identity is my superpower.'

💡Resistance

'Resistance' in the script refers to the act of opposing or fighting against something, in this case, the speaker's identity and the system's refusal to accept it. The speaker talks about her previous attempts to resist her identity to fit into the industry's norms, but she comes to the conclusion that true change requires not resisting her identity but embracing it.

Highlights

The speaker's childhood dream of becoming an actress was fueled by the belief in the American ideal that anyone can achieve anything, regardless of their background.

Despite facing stereotypes and limited representation in Hollywood, the speaker persisted in pursuing her dream.

The casting director's request for the speaker to 'sound more Latina' by speaking in broken English exposed the industry's misunderstanding and stereotyping of her identity.

The speaker's early career was marked by rejections due to her not fitting the narrow and stereotypical roles available for Latinas.

The speaker's manager's comment about her 'unrealistic expectations' highlights the systemic bias against diverse representation in the entertainment industry.

The role of Ana in 'Real Women Have Curves' was a breakthrough for the speaker, as it allowed her to play a complex and multidimensional character that reflected her own identity.

The success of 'Real Women Have Curves' demonstrated that there is an audience for diverse stories, contrary to industry assumptions.

The speaker's experience with 'Ugly Betty' showed that even critical and commercial success does not necessarily lead to increased diversity in the industry.

Despite being the first and only Latina to win an Emmy in a lead category, the speaker notes the lack of progress in representation over the following years.

The speaker reflects on the power of representation, as evidenced by Malala's inspiration from 'Ugly Betty', to influence dreams and aspirations.

The speaker challenges the excuses made by the industry for not casting diversely, such as financial risk and lack of audience interest.

Personal anecdotes from the speaker's career illustrate the systemic barriers she faced, including being told a movie wasn't financeable until a white role was cast.

The speaker's realization that she was not asking the system to change, but to be included in it, led to a shift in her approach to advocacy.

The speaker calls for a change in fundamental values and beliefs, rather than identifying 'good guys' and 'bad guys', as a path towards real progress.

The speaker's journey from trying to make herself invisible to embracing her identity as a superpower reflects a broader call for authenticity and self-worth.

The closing message emphasizes that our collective identity is the true reflection of the world, and that systems should reflect this reality without resistance.

Transcripts

On the red tiles in my family's den

I would dance and sing to the made-for-TV movie "Gypsy,"

starring Bette Midler.

(Singing) "I had a dream.

A wonderful dream, papa."

I would sing it with the urgency and the burning desire of a nine-year-old

who did, in fact, have a dream.

My dream was to be an actress.

And it's true that I never saw anyone who looked like me

in television or in films,

and sure, my family and friends and teachers all constantly warned me

that people like me didn't make it in Hollywood.

But I was an American.

I had been taught to believe that anyone could achieve anything,

regardless of the color of their skin,

the fact that my parents immigrated from Honduras,

the fact that I had no money.

I didn't need my dream to be easy,

I just needed it to be possible.

And when I was 15,

I got my first professional audition.

It was a commercial for cable subscriptions

or bail bonds, I don't really remember.

(Laughter)

What I do remember is that the casting director asked me,

"Could you do that again, but just this time, sound more Latina."

"Um, OK.

So you want me to do it in Spanish?" I asked.

"No, no, do it in English, just sound Latina."

"Well, I am a Latina, so isn't this what a Latina sounds like?"

There was a long and awkward silence,

and then finally,

"OK, sweetie, never mind, thank you for coming in, bye!"

It took me most of the car ride home to realize that by "sound more Latina"

she was asking me to speak in broken English.

And I couldn't figure out why the fact

that I was an actual, real-life, authentic Latina

didn't really seem to matter.

Anyway, I didn't get the job.

I didn't get a lot of the jobs people were willing to see me for:

the gang-banger's girlfriend,

the sassy shoplifter,

pregnant chola number two.

(Laughter)

These were the kinds of roles that existed for someone like me.

Someone they looked at and saw as too brown, too fat,

too poor, too unsophisticated.

These roles were stereotypes

and couldn't have been further from my own reality

or from the roles I dreamt of playing.

I wanted to play people who were complex and multidimensional,

people who existed in the center of their own lives.

Not cardboard cutouts that stood in the background of someone else's.

But when I dared to say that to my manager --

that's the person I pay to help me find opportunity --

his response was,

"Someone has to tell that girl she has unrealistic expectations."

And he wasn't wrong.

I mean, I fired him, but he wasn't wrong.

(Laughter)

(Applause)

Because whenever I did try to get a role that wasn't a poorly written stereotype,

I would hear,

"We're not looking to cast this role diversely."

Or, "We love her, but she's too specifically ethnic."

Or, "Unfortunately, we already have one Latino in this movie."

I kept receiving the same message again and again and again.

That my identity was an obstacle I had to overcome.

And so I thought,

"Come at me, obstacle.

I'm an American. My name is America.

I trained my whole life for this, I'll just follow the playbook,

I'll work harder."

And so I did, I worked my hardest

to overcome all the things that people said were wrong with me.

I stayed out of the sun so that my skin wouldn't get too brown,

I straightened my curls into submission.

I constantly tried to lose weight,

I bought fancier and more expensive clothes.

All so that when people looked at me,

they wouldn't see a too fat, too brown, too poor Latina.

They would see what I was capable of.

And maybe they would give me a chance.

And in an ironic twist of fate,

when I finally did get a role that would make all my dreams come true,

it was a role that required me to be exactly who I was.

Ana in "Real Women Have Curves"

was a brown, poor, fat Latina.

I had never seen anyone like her, anyone like me,

existing in the center of her own life story.

I traveled throughout the US

and to multiple countries with this film

where people, regardless of their age, ethnicity, body type,

saw themselves in Ana.

A 17-year-old chubby Mexican American girl

struggling against cultural norms to fulfill her unlikely dream.

In spite of what I had been told my whole life,

I saw firsthand that people actually did want to see stories about people like me.

And that my unrealistic expectations

to see myself authentically represented in the culture

were other people’s expectations, too.

"Real Women Have Curves"

was a critical, cultural and financial success.

"Great," I thought, "We did it!

We proved our stories have value.

Things are going to change now."

But I watched as very little happened.

There was no watershed.

No one in the industry was rushing to tell more stories

about the audience that was hungry and willing to pay to see them.

Four years later, when I got to play Ugly Betty,

I saw the same phenomenon play out.

"Ugly Betty" premiered in the US to 16 million viewers

and was nominated for 11 Emmys in its first year.

(Applause)

But in spite of "Ugly Betty's" success,

there would not be another television show

led by a Latina actress

on American television for eight years.

It's been 12 years

since I became the first and only Latina

to ever win an Emmy in a lead category.

That is not a point of pride.

That is a point of deep frustration.

Not because awards prove our worth,

but because who we see thriving in the world

teaches us how to see ourselves,

how to think about our own value,

how to dream about our futures.

And anytime I begin to doubt that,

I remember that there was a little girl, living in the Swat Valley of Pakistan.

And somehow, she got her hands on some DVDs

of an American television show

in which she saw her own dream of becoming a writer reflected.

In her autobiography, Malala wrote,

"I had become interested in journalism

after seeing how my own words could make a difference

and also from watching the "Ugly Betty" DVDs

about life at an American magazine."

(Applause)

For 17 years of my career,

I have witnessed the power our voices have

when they can access presence in the culture.

I've seen it.

I've lived it, we've all seen it.

In entertainment, in politics,

in business, in social change.

We cannot deny it -- presence creates possibility.

But for the last 17 years,

I've also heard the same excuses

for why some of us can access presence in the culture

and some of us can't.

Our stories don't have an audience,

our experiences won't resonate in the mainstream,

our voices are too big a financial risk.

Just a few years ago, my agent called

to explain to me why I wasn't getting a role in a movie.

He said, "They loved you

and they really, really do want to cast diversely,

but the movie isn't financeable until they cast the white role first."

He delivered the message with a broken heart

and with a tone that communicated, "I understand how messed up this is."

But nonetheless, just like hundreds of times before,

I felt the tears roll down my face.

And the pang of rejection rise up in me

and then the voice of shame scolding me,

"You are a grown woman, stop crying over a job."

I went through this process for years of accepting the failure as my own

and then feeling deep shame that I couldn't overcome the obstacles.

But this time, I heard a new voice.

A voice that said, "I'm tired.

I've had enough."

A voice that understood

my tears and my pain were not about losing a job.

They were about what was actually being said about me.

What had been said about me my whole life

by executives and producers

and directors and writers and agents and managers

and teachers and friends and family.

That I was a person of less value.

I thought sunscreen and straightening irons

would bring about change in this deeply entrenched value system.

But what I realized in that moment

was that I was never actually asking the system to change.

I was asking it to let me in, and those aren't the same thing.

I couldn't change what a system believed about me,

while I believed what the system believed about me.

And I did.

I, like everyone around me,

believed that it wasn't possible for me to exist in my dream as I was.

And I went about trying to make myself invisible.

What this revealed to me was that it is possible

to be the person who genuinely wants to see change

while also being the person whose actions keep things the way they are.

And what it's led me to believe is that change isn't going to come

by identifying the good guys and the bad guys.

That conversation lets us all off the hook.

Because most of us are neither one of those.

Change will come

when each of us has the courage

to question our own fundamental values and beliefs.

And then see to it that our actions lead to our best intentions.

I am just one of millions of people

who have been told that in order to fulfill my dreams,

in order to contribute my talents to the world

I have to resist the truth of who I am.

I for one, am ready to stop resisting

and to start existing as my full and authentic self.

If I could go back and say anything

to that nine-year-old, dancing in the den, dreaming her dreams,

I would say,

my identity is not my obstacle.

My identity is my superpower.

Because the truth is,

I am what the world looks like.

You are what the world looks like.

Collectively, we are what the world actually looks like.

And in order for our systems to reflect that,

they don't have to create a new reality.

They just have to stop resisting the one we already live in.

Thank you.

(Applause)