TEDxHampshireCollege - Jay Smooth - How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Discussing Race

Jay Smooth is host of New York's longest running hip-hop radio show, the Underground Railroad on WBAI 99.5 FM in NY, and is an acclaimed commentator on politics and culture.

In this talk, he discusses the sometimes thorny territory of how we discuss issues of race and racism, offering insightful and humorous suggestions for expanding our perception of the subject.

http://www.hampshire.edu/


About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

• Category

  Education

[BloodandthunderVII]

No, really, you live in a fantasy world. Because no one here...not even Jay Smooth has said anything about white people. Not one negative thing. And see? This is privilege. Privilege is not having ANY idea what racism is like, especially via experience. So you call a bunch of minorities simply *talking* about a race an insult to your whiteness.

Thats privilege. Privilege is just appropriating a term from people who actually suffer institutionalized racism and throwing it at them. How quaint.

[BloodandthunderVII]

if whiteness can colonize and determine the political geography of every continent on earth, place itself at the top of the worldwide power and economic ladder despite being a global minority, convert billions to its religions, and wipe out entire indigenous societies, why do you think it needs you to defend it on the internet?

[Ginnie Odetayo]

This is such a fantastic talk, thank you. I live in the UK, with relatives in the US - your talk really helped elucidate to me why I encounter some of the difficulties I do in discussing race with my US relatives! I think we're a little more relaxed in the UK - a little. I am mother to 3 boys of mixed descent, so I study these issues carefully, since I know it's something their father and I will have to help steward them through as they grow. Please keep posting on this topic!

[TheEqualizer2U]

I dont spell check my youtube comments, deal with it....lol

If I am a troll for standing up to your racism, then so be it! BTW, your definition of racism is wrong.

You liberals do this a lot, change definitions of words to justify your hate.

Racism is treating someone differently because of the color of thier skin, or the culture they were born into.

That is what you are doing, hating on an entire generation of white people who have never done a thing to you, just because they were born white.

[maryandchild]

you do realize the irony of calling people 'uneducated' when you can't spell or use correct tenses, right?

no one is responding to you because you are being a troll. racism is not a dictionary definition- racism is discrimination + power. white people have the power and therefore 'racism' against us amounts to nothing besides occasional hurt feelings, not systemic oppression.

[TheEqualizer2U]

Exactly, thats all you got. Shaming tactics, using grammar, racism, sexism or anything else that keeps people from questioning you.

That is the liberal moto, and it will be your downfall.

[TheEqualizer2U]

Funny how you wont extend the same courtesy to whites.

It doesnt matter thier background or experience, or how many black friends they have, you dismiss it all.

Then you turn around and say your not a racist...lol

[TheEqualizer2U]

There are more muslims than christians. I am white, and I am not religious.

So how did we convert the world exactly?

[TheEqualizer2U]

So long as I live in a predominantly white country, then there is NO privilege, only your jealousy. I will not loathe myself just because you think I should bases on the color of my skin.

Do you think the chinese living in china are privileged?, NO.

Do you think an arab living in north africa is privileged?, NO.

You liberals have some strange logic.

[maryandchild]

'grammer'