Poet Clint Smith Amazes Crowd at TFA 25

Summary

In this powerful speech, the speaker reflects on the tradition of giving up something for Lent, recounting past sacrifices and culminating in a year of silence. They realize their voice had been muted, not just for Lent, but for a lifetime, as they chose silence over speaking out against injustice. The narrative shifts to a passionate call to action, vowing to break the silence and use their voice to support others, confront ignorance, and advocate for dignity. The speech concludes with a commitment to live boldly, embracing the power of the spoken word to enact change.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The speaker grew up in a Catholic family where Lent was marked by giving up indulgences as a form of sacrifice.
• 🗣️ One year, the speaker chose to give up speaking, realizing the value of their voice and the impact of silence.
• 🤔 The speaker reflects on times they remained silent when they should have spoken up, such as when a friend was bullied or when they witnessed injustice.
• 😔 They acknowledge their past silence as a form of appeasement to ignorance and a lack of validation for those who needed it.
• 😶 The script describes silence as a manifestation of fear, a tool that can be used to suppress the voice and the truth.
• 🔊 The speaker draws parallels between silence and historical atrocities, emphasizing its destructive potential.
• 💪 The speaker resolves to break the silence, vowing to speak up for those who are marginalized and to confront ignorance.
• 👥 They commit to treating everyone with humanity, from homeless individuals to their own students, by acknowledging their worth and dignity.
• 🎤 The speaker decides to live life as if they always have a microphone, using their voice to advocate for others and to educate.
• 🌟 The message concludes with the empowerment of using one's voice as a tool for change, rather than remaining silent.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's story?

The main theme of the speaker's story is the significance and impact of silence, particularly in the context of personal and societal issues.

Why did the speaker choose to give up speaking during Lent?

The speaker chose to give up speaking during Lent as a form of sacrifice, believing it to be the most valuable thing they could offer, but later realized they had been silent in many important moments already.

What did the speaker realize about their own silence?

The speaker realized that they had been silent in moments when they should have spoken up, such as when a friend was bullied, a homeless man needed acknowledgment, or when their students were disrespected.

What does the speaker associate silence with?

The speaker associates silence with fear, ignorance, and the perpetuation of injustices like the Rwanda genocide.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ The Power of Voice and the Cost of Silence

The speaker, raised in a Catholic family in New Orleans, discusses the tradition of giving up something during Lent as a form of sacrifice. They recount their past sacrifices, including food and even their voice. The speaker reflects on how they had been silent in moments of injustice, failing to stand up for others such as a gay friend, a homeless man, and their students. They describe the harmful effects of silence, likening it to historical tragedies and personal failures. The speaker resolves to use their voice to advocate for others, to treat people with dignity, and to challenge misconceptions. They conclude by committing to live with the courage to speak out, likening their voice to a constant microphone, emphasizing the importance of using one's voice for change.

Keywords

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice refers to the act of giving up something of value, often for the sake of something else that is considered more important or meaningful. In the video, the speaker discusses giving up various indulgences during Lent, which is a period of fasting and penance in the Christian tradition. The concept of sacrifice is central to the theme of the video, as the speaker eventually realizes that the most valuable thing they could sacrifice was their voice, which they had been using to appease others rather than speaking out against injustice.

💡Silence

Silence in the context of the video is not just the absence of sound but also a metaphor for inaction and the withholding of one's voice in the face of injustice or suffering. The speaker uses personal anecdotes to illustrate how silence can be a form of complicity, such as when they remained silent when a friend was bullied or when they ignored a homeless man's plea for recognition. The video argues that silence can be a powerful tool of oppression and that breaking it is an act of courage and humanity.

💡Validation

Validation in this video is the act of affirming or confirming the truth or value of something. It is contrasted with silence, which the speaker suggests is often used to avoid giving validation. The video implies that validation does not always require words; it can be a gesture or an action that acknowledges someone's humanity or worth. For example, the speaker regrets not validating a homeless man's existence by simply acknowledging him, which would have been a form of non-verbal validation.

💡Ignorance

Ignorance in the video is depicted as a state of being uninformed or unaware, particularly about the struggles and needs of others. The speaker reflects on how they have appeased ignorance by remaining silent, which in turn has allowed harmful attitudes and behaviors to persist. The video suggests that ignorance can be challenged by speaking out and educating others, thereby breaking the cycle of silence and inaction.

💡Dignity

Dignity is the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. In the video, the speaker discusses how they have failed to uphold the dignity of others, such as their students, by not standing up against derogatory comments made by a wealthy donor. The concept of dignity is tied to the idea that everyone deserves respect and recognition of their worth, regardless of their social status or circumstances.

💡Fear

Fear in this context is the emotion that causes one to avoid taking action or speaking out. The video describes fear as a 'gut-wrenched guillotine' that silences the speaker, preventing them from acting in the face of injustice. Fear is portrayed as a powerful force that can lead to inaction and silence, which the speaker ultimately decides to overcome by using their voice to stand up for others.

💡Inhibition

Inhibition refers to a restraint or hindrance, often caused by feelings of doubt or fear. In the video, the speaker talks about having a 'stage on the underside of [their] inhibition,' suggesting that they have been holding themselves back from speaking out. The concept of inhibition is tied to the idea that overcoming personal fears and doubts is necessary to take a stand and use one's voice effectively.

💡Soapbox

A soapbox is a platform or a position from which one can speak out or express their opinions publicly. In the video, the speaker mentions that they do not need a soapbox because all they need is their voice. This metaphor emphasizes the power of an individual's voice to make a difference, even without a formal platform or position of authority.

💡Residue

Residue in the video is used metaphorically to describe the lingering effects or remnants of something, in this case, silence. The speaker describes silence as the 'residue of fear,' suggesting that it is a lasting consequence of the fear that prevents them from speaking out. The term is used to emphasize how silence can be a pervasive and damaging presence in the face of injustice.

💡Pain

Pain in the video is both a physical and emotional experience that results from various forms of suffering and injustice. The speaker lists historical events and personal experiences where silence has been a painful accompaniment to suffering, such as ...

Highlights

The speaker grew up in a Catholic family in New Orleans where Lent was a time for meaningful sacrifice.

The speaker has given up various indulgences in the past, including soda and McDonalds.

One year, the speaker chose to give up speaking as a form of sacrifice.

The realization that the speaker had been silent for a long time, not speaking their truth.

A reflection on appeasing ignorance with silence and the validation that doesn't need words.

An incident where the speaker remained silent when a friend was bullied for being gay.

The speaker's indifference towards a homeless man, choosing to ignore his need for affirmation.

A moment of silence when a woman at a fundraising gala made derogatory remarks about the speaker's students.

The importance of listening to what people don't say, as much as what they do say.

Silence is described as the residue of fear and a retreat from speaking out.

Historical examples of silence leading to catastrophic events, such as the Rwanda genocide.

Transcripts

(upbeat music)

(cheering)

- As a kid in a Catholic family in New Orleans

during Lent I was always taught

that the most meaningful thing one could do

was to give something up.

Sacrifice something you typically indulge in

to prove to God you understand his sanctity.

I've given up soda, McDonalds, french fries,

french kisses, and everything in between.

But one year, I gave up speaking.

Figured the most valuable thing that I could sacrifice

was my own voice but it was like I hadn't realized

that I had given that up a long time ago.

I've spent so much of my life telling people the things

they wanted to hear instead of the things they needed to.

Told myself I wasn't meant to be anyone's conscience

because I still had to figure out being my own so sometimes

I just wouldn't say anything.

Appeasing ignorance with my silence,

unaware that validation doesn't need words to

endorse its existence.

When Christian was beat up for being gay

I put my hands in my pocket and walk with my head down

as if I didn't even notice.

Couldn't use my locker for weeks because

the bolt on the lock reminded me of the one

I had put on my lips.

When the homeless man on the corner

looked at me with eyes up merely searching for an

affirmation that he was worth seeing.

I was more concerned with touching the

screen of my Apple than actually feeding him one.

When the woman at the fundraising gala said,

"I'm so proud of you, it must be so hard teaching

"those poor, unintelligent kids,"

I bit my lip because apparently we needed her money

more than my students needed their dignity.

We spend so much time

(applause)

listening to the things people are saying

that we rarely pay attention to the things they don't.

Silence is the residue of fear.

It is feeling your flaws,

gut-wrenched guillotine your tongue.

It is the air,

retreating from your chest because it doesn't feel safe

in your lungs.

Silence is Rwandan genocide.

Silence is Katrina, it is what you hear

when there aren't enough body bags left.

It is the sound after the noose is already tied.

It is charring, it is chains,

it is privilege, it is pain.

There is no time to pick your battles

when your battles have already picked you.

I will not let silence wrap itself around my indecision.

I will tell Christian that he is a lion.

A sanctuary of bravery and brilliance.

I will ask that homeless man what his name is,

and how his day was, because sometimes all people want to be

is human.

I will tell that woman that my students

can talk about Transcendentalism like their

last name was Thoreau,

and just because you watch one episode of The Wire

doesn't mean you know anything about my kids.

So this year,

(applause)

instead of giving something up,

I will live every day as if there were a microphone tucked

under my tongue.

A stage on the underside of my inhibition,

because who has to have a soapbox

when all you've ever needed

is your voice.

(applause)

(upbeat music)