A Third Option: The Importance of Rural Students | Carson Miller | TEDxYouth@Okoboji

Today's rural students are presented with two options: stay in their small towns forever, or leave and never go back. This talk is about showing students a third option. I grew up in small town Iowa and left at 16 to travel and study and explore. It wasn't until I left that I realized the importance of my rural upbringing. I had experiences and opinions that were important in informing policy and advocating for rural America. In this talk I will share personal stories, failings, and epiphanies in an attempt to show why the world needs rural students. Carson Miller grew up in small-town Iowa, but she spent her childhood dreaming of ways to escape it. Then she attended the United World College in New Mexico, she met people from around the world and learned how important it is to be proud of where you are from. Carson has had many opportunities to travel the world, but she always comes back to Iowa. Now she studies International Agriculture and Rural Development at Cornell University. In her TED Talk she will discuss her passion for empowering rural students to build rural communities. 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

[@kileymiller3320]

Carson is a big thinker and a great speaker. I'm glad to see her advocating for small towns and small-town kids. She's also my kid, which makes me very proud.

[@mischkahans7706]

You rock! I live in the countryside and I wouldn't trade it for any thing. I loved listening to you, Carson. Thank you!

[@Freddy3Jersem]

I love it Carson!! Thank you so much, it very relatable, a rural kid from Germany :p Miss you Chumie

[@wembleydafonsecagoncalvesd2765]

Amazing speech, Carson!
I feel very inspired by you, specially being from the rural area of Brazil!
Thank you so much.

[@The_Tidy_Nest]

I like this talk. Never looked at it that way.

[@lisakraus8140]

Good job Carson!

[@imanishshahi]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🔥❤️

[@dariusrogers5420]

The message here is dangerous. This video continues troubling narratives surrounding rural America the very speaker hopes to stop. This is an individual who clearly comes from a family with social, cultural, and economic capital, and who is exploiting rural America and rural Americans by highlighting troubles within it that they themselves personally did not face.
If they are from the rural America they spoke about, how did they acquire the knowledge and resources to not only apply to, but also attend a UWC and then Cornell? How did they have the money to afford a car and the expenses that came along with that financial burden to start driving at 14?
This is not what rural America needs. We don't need rich folks pretending they grew up in the hardships of true rural America, only to exploit present of rurality to advance their personal aspirations.
Rural America needs to highlight folks who are authentically from and true to rural America. Individuals who won't turn away from it once a better opportunity comes knocking only to eventually turn around and sell rural America's hardships for their storytelling gains.
I appreciate the speaker's advocacy, but it is misdirected and lacks a nuance understanding of rural America.