Rasism | Miki Kiryu | TEDxYouth@BerlinCosmopolitanSchool

Summary

The speaker reflects on their personal experiences with racism and social isolation, highlighting how cultural insensitivity and racial jokes have shaped their self-perception. They recount being a minority in school and enduring mocking comments. The talk emphasizes the importance of understanding, kindness, and speaking out against discrimination. It also questions the fine line between humor and offense in racial jokes. The speaker encourages the audience to rethink their perspectives and act with care and empathy to create a more inclusive society.

Takeaways

• 🎤 The speaker initially wanted to be a singer and famous, but over time became more reserved due to various experiences.
• 😔 Growing up, the speaker faced isolation and racial discrimination, especially as one of the only East Asian individuals in their school.
• 🤝 The speaker had a best friend who unknowingly helped them cope with these challenges, but their experiences made them more introverted.
• 🇯🇵 After moving to Japan, the speaker became even more reserved due to cultural expectations around social appearance and judgment.
• 🎭 The speaker has been subjected to racial jokes, like the use of 'Bing chilling' and 'ching chong,' which were hurtful and inappropriate.
• 🗣️ Speaking up against these jokes led the speaker to be labeled as someone who 'couldn't take a joke,' which caused self-reflection on whether they overreacted.
• 📚 The speaker emphasizes that racism, rooted in historical systems like slavery and hierarchies, continues to persist in modern society.
• 🧠 They stress the importance of understanding what racism is, how it manifests, and the harm it causes, even when it's framed as a joke.
• 💬 Jokes, especially racial ones, need to be thought through carefully as they can cross a line and harm others, regardless of intent.
• 💡 The speaker calls for action: to care for others, to be mindful of words, and to stand up against hurtful comments to make the world kinder.

Q & A

What does the speaker mention about their early childhood aspirations?

The speaker mentions that when they were younger, they wanted to be a singer, be famous, influential, and adored. However, as they grew older, their aspirations and personality changed.

Why did the speaker become more reserved over time?

The speaker became more reserved due to a series of experiences, including being isolated and made fun of in school for being East Asian, and facing ridicule in Japan where people seemed highly concerned with how others perceived them.

How did an experience on the balcony contribute to the speaker's sense of embarrassment?

The speaker felt embarrassed when their neighbors caught them singing 'Warar' by Katy Perry on their balcony. This was one of the events that contributed to their growing sense of discomfort.

What did the speaker say about racist jokes they encountered?

The speaker encountered racist jokes, such as people saying 'Bing chilling' and 'Ching chong,' mocking the Chinese language. These jokes were hurtful, and the speaker initially ignored them but eventually decided to speak up.

What internal conflict did the speaker experience after speaking up against racism?

After speaking up, the speaker wrestled with whether they had taken the joke too seriously. However, they concluded that mocking someone's language is rude and not acceptable, even if meant as a joke.

What is the speaker's perspective on making jokes about one’s own race?

The speaker believes that even when someone makes a joke about their own race, it still contributes to a culture of discrimination and prejudice. They argue that these jokes aren't harmless.

Why does the speaker believe it is important to address racism?

The speaker emphasizes the need to educate people on social issues like racism. They believe that understanding is the first step to resolving such issues and that we should care for and understand each other.

What does the speaker hope to achieve by speaking out against racism?

The speaker hopes to raise awareness about racism and encourage others to speak out when they hear something hurtful. They also hope that people will become more caring and kind toward one another.

What connection does the speaker make between hierarchies and racism?

The speaker learned about hierarchies in social studies class and compares them to modern societal structures. They argue that some hierarchies, such as racial superiority, persist today, even though we no longer live in feudal systems.

What is the speaker’s message to those listening to their speech?

The speaker urges listeners to be caring, kind, and understanding. They want people to reflect on their actions and opinions, speak out against hurtful behavior, and contribute to making the world a better place.