Why Representation Really Matters | Aisha Thomas | TEDxBristol

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  • Опубликовано: 5 фев 2020
  • "Until society represents everyone, the question will always be 'where do I belong?' " Aisha Thomas's TEDx talk challenges us to imagine a world where all races are represented in all aspects of life. Where children grow up with a sense of value, connection and understanding of difference.
    Her commitment to inspiring young minds was kick-started a decade ago during a mentoring meeting with a young offender in prison. He said to Aisha, "If you were my teacher, maybe I wouldn’t be in prison today." Then a law graduate, Aisha decided to retrain as an educator and dedicate her life to improving the lives of children in her community. She’s currently Assistant Principal at City Academy in Bristol, and one of only 26 out of 1346 black secondary school teachers in the city.
    #RepresentationMatters
    Credits:
    Our talks and films are produced, filmed and edited by a brilliant team of talented volunteers and pro-bono partners:
    Directed and Produced by Mel Rodrigues, Creative Director TEDxBristol
    Production Manager: Clare Crossley
    Filmed and edited by Floating Harbour:
    Richard da Costa
    Reuben Gaines
    Chessie Sharman
    Raph Watson
    Tom Young
    Ben Scrase
    Iconic images drawn by Shanai Campbell Talk title: How YOU can change a young person’s life.
    Aisha Thomas is a born and bred Bristolian. She studied law at the University of the West of England but switched to education in 2010. In September 2016 Aisha became City Academy’s Assistant Principal and Specialist Leader in Education for EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) and Community.
    Recently Aisha presented a BBC documentary about the lack of black teachers in Bristol and collaborated with city partners to launch the ‘Bristol One Curriculum’. This aims to create a more equitable representation of black history, achievement and culture in Bristol, Britain and globally. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Комментарии • 72

  • @eken81
    @eken81 Год назад +12

    Lovely talk. Love how she sets up how representation is multi-fasetted how people are multi-fasetted and could be under represented in different ways. "But now its different, right?". I come at this topic as a disabled man. But also someone who see other people not being represented who are outside of the norm in some way.

  • @justshazza1772
    @justshazza1772 4 года назад +92

    So proud to have raised a daughter who represents all the things I wish I was able to do when I was a teacher.
    Go girl ! I'm so proud of you for all that you do! Representation does matter!

  • @mariacunningham8376
    @mariacunningham8376 Год назад

    Why am I just seeing this. Thanks for uploading. I used to have a similar accent growing up in Bristol, I have not lived there in 35 years but make frequent visits.

  • @mercedesUK85
    @mercedesUK85 4 года назад +26

    Two recent experiences I have had.
    1. Work colleague “your hair looks a lot curlier (with disgust)”. Me” yep this is my natural hair”. Her “you must hate it” . That happened this month!!
    2. Similar to you. Patients always come in and assume my nurse is the Hygienist even though I am speaking to them 🙈.
    I love this Aisha, it’s the story of so many of us! ♥️

  • @carrie-annpalmer9737
    @carrie-annpalmer9737 4 года назад +19

    Thank you you sharing your experiences and opening everybody's eyes to what is still happening today.

  • @keironmiller8332
    @keironmiller8332 4 года назад +27

    Its not normal to do extraordinary things and It is rare to stand up for what you believe and are willing to put yourself out there to make a difference on such a powerful platform too.

  • @jeddbloom
    @jeddbloom 3 года назад +6

    Thank you for this powerful presentation, Ms. Thomas.

  • @RD31023
    @RD31023 2 года назад

    This is fantastic! Thank you!

  • @firadford6161
    @firadford6161 4 года назад +15

    Thank you Aisha. We all need to hear this.

  • @zari5972
    @zari5972 3 года назад +4

    I love her whole look. The outfit and hair. What she said was so true. Thank you for sharing

  • @lizpemberton4821
    @lizpemberton4821 4 года назад +5

    Truly amazing talk, I love this SO MUCH Aisha! Thank you for taking up this space and delivering this 🙌🏾

  • @LordWay
    @LordWay Год назад +1

    this was a powerful message

  • @zbzb25
    @zbzb25 Год назад

    💯 Great talk, very inspiring and powerful presentation. Thank you

  • @snakeboy1983
    @snakeboy1983 4 года назад +8

    This is amazing cuz. Thanks for telling your story.

  • @marilyngentle2777
    @marilyngentle2777 3 года назад

    I love that she would accidently not know her own name and pick up the wrong badge - said so much more about the vision of who she was for that person that questioned her.

  • @dr.quaidiqbal
    @dr.quaidiqbal 7 месяцев назад

    It's really a nice talk. Proud of you.

  • @mirabellaestella696
    @mirabellaestella696 2 года назад

    this was beautiful

  • @consciousthought9293
    @consciousthought9293 5 месяцев назад

    Past, present and future: The connectivity of representation enhances every aspect of a ‘civilized’ society

  • @comenetworkwithme
    @comenetworkwithme 4 года назад +3

    It really really REALLY matters! Thank you Aisha for bringing this important issue to TEDxBristol and the world. You are amazing 💞

  • @Tee1753
    @Tee1753 2 года назад

    ❤❤❤❤ yes sis speak to them... I love this x

  • @Duppy1985
    @Duppy1985 4 года назад +5

    🙌🏼🙌🏼 so important

  • @davidpalmer9104
    @davidpalmer9104 4 года назад +7

    Wow, what an excellent presentation. Well done Aisha

  • @snakusbs5
    @snakusbs5 4 года назад +6

    Needed to be said. Needed to be heard.

  • @derekedwards3789
    @derekedwards3789 4 года назад +4

    Represent, represent! What an amazing talk! Keep up the good work Aisha.

  • @kmar1s
    @kmar1s Год назад

    one of the best ted speeches till this date

  • @kikikeyz007
    @kikikeyz007 4 года назад +2

    Brilliant talk. Representation matters.

  • @doctors_kitchen
    @doctors_kitchen 4 года назад +2

    Awesome talk!!

  • @coletteogborne3304
    @coletteogborne3304 4 года назад +6

    Powerful passionate speech!

  • @psalmwaves3708
    @psalmwaves3708 4 года назад +2

    Loved this!

  • @GutHealthNurse
    @GutHealthNurse 3 года назад +20

    Representation matters! Subconscious anxiety lurks and haunts our daily activities. Positive representation matters!

    • @BradLad56
      @BradLad56 3 года назад +5

      Only to narcissists.

    • @RyomenAyeni225
      @RyomenAyeni225 2 года назад

      @@BradLad56 representation doesnt matter to narcessists if you dont care about representation you have clearly been well represented

  • @linglingjk8643
    @linglingjk8643 4 года назад +7

    Go mamma go

  • @freeze4728
    @freeze4728 3 года назад +3

    We need a representation of blind and disabled person in military.

    • @gamerpolice8235
      @gamerpolice8235 2 года назад +2

      I can’t really tell if you’re serious sorry, are you?

  • @OmulangiraJjemba
    @OmulangiraJjemba 4 месяца назад

    Wow

  • @DrewBenvie
    @DrewBenvie 4 года назад +5

    So powerful Aisha 👍🏼

  • @nombulelogumede5261
    @nombulelogumede5261 4 года назад +1

    Brilliantly articulated.

  • @stephaniehealey1640
    @stephaniehealey1640 4 года назад +2

    You’re wonderful Aisha!!! Representation truly matters! Xxx

  • @lorrainespence8374
    @lorrainespence8374 4 года назад +3

    Beautiful amazing speech keep doing what your doing 😊 it 💚🙏🏽🙌🏽

  • @DavesChaoticBrain
    @DavesChaoticBrain 2 года назад

    Over 25,000 views (not enough!) but only 847 likes and, now, 46 comments? Sad. :-(

  • @lukegreen3866
    @lukegreen3866 3 года назад +1

    Awsome!

  • @StefanGabrielRoHu
    @StefanGabrielRoHu Год назад

    Because of frustration ??

  • @nuniezjorge
    @nuniezjorge 2 года назад +3

    Depends on the context what should be represented, why would i want to see my face in an Asian martial arts movie when I'm Mexican? What if race or gender is irrelevant for the context of the movie?

    • @buster3041
      @buster3041 2 года назад +4

      Obviously not every occurrence matters. When the world of the story presented specifically shows only certain races exist in it then only those races should appear.

  • @charlenelawrenceable
    @charlenelawrenceable 4 года назад +1

    👊🏾🙌🏾❤💯 speak life queen 👑

  • @layaxx1
    @layaxx1 4 года назад +2

    If only you were my teacher....

  • @drhadizakereabdulrahman8592
    @drhadizakereabdulrahman8592 4 года назад +4

    Hmm! This is painful to listen to in parts

  • @onehumanhistory
    @onehumanhistory 2 года назад +3

    Until college applications have an option that says quarter British, quarter Scottish, half Italian, I don’t feel represented

  • @noelgibson5956
    @noelgibson5956 Год назад +1

    As a white Australian, I usually judge people on their appearance. People of any race who are elderly, children, women or disabled are percieved by me, more favourably than people of any race who are males in the 20's or 30's who are muscular, have tattoos and act like they have a drug habit.
    I've personally met far more intimidating whites than non whites.

  • @joelburchell4
    @joelburchell4 2 года назад +3

    I think that this talk did a good job of giving examples of modern racism. However, I feel it doesn't give a cohesive argument to support the claim that representation is the answer to discrimination. Simply repeating the claim that representation matters doesn't increase its logical validity.

    • @mayf7097
      @mayf7097 2 года назад +2

      do you think representation matters

    • @joelburchell4
      @joelburchell4 2 года назад +1

      @@mayf7097 I have not done enough research to have an informed opinion about it.

    • @BM-ir1dr
      @BM-ir1dr Год назад +3

      She didn't say representation is the answer, she said it matters. And it does.
      I'm guessing you're already represented and you acknowledge you haven't researched, soooo.....

    • @skeletonwar4445
      @skeletonwar4445 Год назад

      ​@@BM-ir1dr No he's right. I came to this video to find an argument for *why* representation matters, not *that* it matters.
      She asserts that it matters (and she's right) and gives examples of everyday racism, but she does not explain how representation in media helps solve those problems.

  • @Andres64B
    @Andres64B 3 года назад +8

    It doesn't matter. All you need is empathy. I have been disabled my entire life and I am 57 now. I can't name one single disabled character or actor from any TV or movie I have ever seen. Does it bother me? No. I am able to look past my disability. I am more than my disability. I have empathy and can put myself in the shoes of others, even if my shoes certainly would not fit them.

    • @Andres64B
      @Andres64B 3 года назад +2

      @Jane Nebe You are absolutely right. I do have enough empathy. The sad part is that others don't. I don't need to see someone that looks exactly like me. It's that kind of thinking that is dividing us. That is probably the biggest problem in the world today.

    • @radish5101
      @radish5101 2 года назад +4

      @@Andres64B there's nothing wrong with wanting some representation ? It may not apply to you but others do

    • @ChristianJoyD
      @ChristianJoyD 2 года назад +4

      It’s more than likely you have been represented in other ways. THAT’S why disability representation doesn’t matter to you.

    • @Andres64B
      @Andres64B 2 года назад +1

      @@ChristianJoyD Everyone is represented in one way or another. I just don't whine and moan about it.

    • @BM-ir1dr
      @BM-ir1dr Год назад +2

      @@Andres64B No, you watch RUclips videos on subjects that you say don't matter to you so that you can make tiresome comments.
      Maybe a bit if representation would have made you less likely to seek out negative human contact through trolling.

  • @oOSilverZackOo
    @oOSilverZackOo 9 месяцев назад +1

    This logic is full of flaws.
    Inclusivity, by definition means integration. Not representation.
    Inclusive representation is an oxymoron. It has zero impact on actual integration and therefore works against any chance for genuine inclusivity.
    This obsession with “being represented” by looks and appearances only fills one’s sense of inferiority/minority complex.

  • @jimmoriarty6964
    @jimmoriarty6964 10 месяцев назад +1

    This woman can always find a reason to make herself a victim lol

  • @zombietotseater3894
    @zombietotseater3894 2 года назад +5

    Stop being sheep. Think for yourself. Everyone is an individual responsible for themselves.

    • @dannycoitus6738
      @dannycoitus6738 2 года назад +7

      what

    • @estherselvarani88
      @estherselvarani88 2 года назад +5

      This individualism in the western world is why y'all are lonely, depressed and struggling. Community matters, representation matters.

  • @yumsanmei
    @yumsanmei Год назад +3

    I want Affirmative Action for Asians in NFL and NBA.
    Too much of Blacks.
    We need Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Sports too.

  • @ivanaguilar3132
    @ivanaguilar3132 9 месяцев назад

    What a bunch of BS