Embracing otherness, embracing myself | Thandiwe Newton
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
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Actor Thandiwe Newton tells the story of finding her "otherness" -- first, as a child growing up in two distinct cultures, and then as an actor playing with many different selves. A warm, wise talk, fresh from stage at TEDGlobal 2011.
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“How many times would my self have to die before I realized that it was never alive in the first place?” - foreshadowing!
She was born to play Maeve.
@Marcus Jones rl
@@stanleystewart8444 km.k
L
I have grown up in a situation similar to Thandie's, and I felt her words in the core of me. Many people won't understand what she's saying here, or will just see this as pithy liberalism, but when you feel a bit lost because you believe you know who you are, but other people have a view of you as not belonging or misguided, you have to take a HARD look at what identity actually is. I'm mixed race, mixed class, an immigrant, and became disabled thru an accident in my teens (so mixed ability). No one wants to let you sit at their table with all that going on, trust me. Sometimes, you aren't given the choice about thinking a bit harder. I'm not a mistake or a paradox, and I will not allow other's opinions of identity force me into shame or invisibility. I find connection in everyone, and I feel blessed for it. This was a great talk
stupidflounders well said. Very on point. I am Black African and even my migration to Scotland at the beginning of the millennium - this sense of otherness' was truly drilled into every aspect of my life whilst there. At school - no one wanted to befriend me as they felt I was too 'other' or 'too different' to understand their culture. I didn't see myself that way though!! I was too/very keen to learn all about actual Scottish culture (not the one regurgitated by tourist boards/in the news i.e. haggis, kilts, bagpipes etc) but highschool was never the place I'd find it.
When I finally got into university, however, I came across too many so called 'civic'/liberal folk who were all too keen to befriend me and suddenly show their enthusiasm for 'my kind' (a Black/African immigrant who was also educated!) so as to impose onto me their feeling/beliefs/thoughts of MY culture. Basically , I became their easily accessed anthropological 'sample'. They felt the critical theories they studied entitled them to MY story/culture/identity and lived experiences. Well NO - that's what books and academics are there for. That is Not what I am here for... So slowly it started to be revealed to me the nationalistic types whose politics ranged from anything from covert to very overt patriotic (scottish flag waving!) behaviour. Their politics so filled with proclaiming how 'Scottish' they were and pointing out how NOT Scottish I was...well, I never claimed to be.... I stuck to making friends with international students instead whom I knew would be less concerned with this 'otherness' as they too were seen as being 'other' (though admittedly not to the same extent I was) and would understand my 'not belonging in this culture' as I was so often told by my so-called 'friends'....
I have find in Britain, folk here have a very huge chip on their shoulders about identity and what the face of a British person looks like/is (white only? NO). There's an empire sized irony in the fact that the 'Great British' government, and thus by default, 'their' people too (who through absorbing what they hear/read in the papers/the political debates/prominent political figures incorrectly given a platform to spout nonsense, although I will tentatively say NOT ALL 'Scottish/Welsh/N.Irish/English people!) continue to stir up such anxiety and dislike for the 'other' i.e. any non-white persons here. The effects on the 'minority'/the darker skinned people is devastating and oppressive. This is my community.
I refuse to hide away and not live fully as an African whose enjoyed several aspects of life in Britain though. I know just how bloody privileged I am and I will always be so grateful for my opportunities past and present. The political climate here continues to create a dark dark shadow however.
Anyway, I will always see colour and this is absolutely correct and a good thing because that informs my experiences and the lens through which I live my life (past, present and future) is validated. I remain open-hearted and hopeful but never ever naive that someday we seen through the lens of 'otherness' by the 'majority colour' will live fully and without patronisation/tokenisation, misunderstanding or disconnection from them but with much solidarity, acceptance and intellectual or biological equality....regardless of the 'less privileged' (e.g. non cis/able bodied etc) pockets of society we occupy.
Good luck to you!
kenya iilya Being an educated person of colour - people love that, don't they? I have to remind people quite a lot that I am actually an immigrant, I am actually black (I grew up in a black family, I look black, so I will refer to myself as black as well as mixed race) - maybe don't talk about 'those people' as other than just because they are not as educated as I am or because their accents aren't as pleasing to you as mine. It is frustrating. Living in England now, I understand what you are saying with the nationalism going around at the moment. It makes me uncomfortable because I have seen the ways I am looked at in certain towns change since I first arrived years ago.
kenya iilya you are a wonderful writer. Beautiful !
Touched by ur words
God Bless u
stupidflounders when you lost, ,,,for me, her words left me bunch of confusions now. is that just because the experience?
Blown away right now. I felt the power of this speak from the beginning to the end. Kudos to this phenomenal woman.
If everyone in this world shared the same, or a similar mind set and way of seeing the world as Thandie Newton, I think it would be a beautiful place.
Her personality and wisdom are inspiring.
Her perspective is a breath of fresh air.
Right there for me...
this was great, crazy how intuitive this woman is !! she speaks about so many things from being self aware, self reflective, societies conformities, how we're controlled , losing sight of what really matters in life , focusing on the superfluous crap that has our attention, losing that human interaction and especially becoming self aware/mindful more and that everything and everyone is interconnected.
She is speaking to MY EXPERIENCE with Otherness. This was beautiful
I love it! She is so intelligent eloquent and well-spoken.
This is my favorite TED talks of all time so far.
I'm guessing your comment is rather 'toungue-in-cheek.' But I think she's really pretty. That's why I cliked on this vid. I usually don't care about anything actors have to say off script.
Totally awesome!! and why are there 3,1k thumbs down, nearly half the 6,6 thumbs up? My brain fails to grasp this
@@1DennisK that’s the projection and rejection that she was literally talking about.
Projection that the other commenter couldn’t possible be sincere.
And rejection that she can’t possibly have anything important to say, what with such a beautiful face and body.
You saw otherness and rejected it. That’s the same rational that early humans had, the same rational that breeds war and violence. Embracing otherness is the only hope our race has, that is if we want to have a future.
Thandie's message is profoundly DEEP. I have a deep respect for her.
She's one of most beautiful and well-spoken women I ever saw. I'm so glad that thanks to Westworld people are paying her attention to her and getting the recognition she deserves. Whenever I listen to hear I'm not only blown away by her beauty, I'm blown away by her talent when it comes to acting and to her intelligence and eloquence when it comes to speak. She's fascinating.
PalmurcioWorld noticed her in crash. she ages gracefully.
This woman is incredible and so beautiful.
had to re-visit this old favorite, as i'm going through my own dark night of the soul, in terms of self-definition (very similar to Thandie's journey). she shared her story so gracefully...
#inspired
So awesome.
*i am here because our teacher told us so in our learning activity sheet. very motivational talk about oneself. indeed, we should really embrace otherness and embrace ourselves.*
Same thoughts Lex. we should embrace otherness and the same time ourselves too.
This TED talk always sets me straight. It gave birth to my concept of selves and their cyclical nature. Thank you Thandie.
9 years ago this was published on RUclips and today, 9 years later-needing to understand oneself-I somehow found myself here. Just beautiful
That’s beautiful
🤗
@@morphingtime2000 there is so much on the internet to troll-and you choose the lamest comment & non relevant subject happening on the web right now 🤦♀️
@@morphingtime2000 it’s always interesting to see how someone sees something. Perception is everything. Now I see why you are whining on YT about something that is on the internet and is someone else’s opinion about their life-from your perspective. I heard an entirely different message than you. When we are unable to open our minds, we tend to miss the point, which I now understand you did. You got caught on the first thing you didn’t like someone said, and you could not see anything before, or after, for that matter. I’m sorry you let the internet bother you, but that’s not my or her problem, look inside yourself.
A big surprise....very illuminating. I have just lost my dear twin brother and our self always centered around us and we - the projection of the collective. The funny thing is our identical appearance gave the impression of solidarity but there within was often a battle of self. We came to terms with much Paul and yet I wonder how much more of that otherness we would have discovered had he lived longer. I am now on that journey - thrust into it in fact and I can't help but feel his presence highlighting that myself still consists of feeling that other. Loved the talk. All the very best. Mark.
I feel sorry for the big lost, thank you for sharing this I can't imagine losing my brother, reading this makes me feel the importance of realizing the otherness we all should have in oneself. Thanks Again, Brother.
I actually relate to everything that was said. My source was art, performing magic, altruism and creativity when it comes to losing my distressed self and going into a sense of self value system with my subconsciousness.
I fully understood what she was talking about, It's very important for every individual to understand themselves, but then be able to get past it and really find connection between others.
It's a two step process of enlightenment, and understanding. We are all different, yet we are all the same. It's about recognizing the differences subconsciously and recognizing the similarities consciously.
2:40 "And how many time would myself have to die before I realized that it never alive in the first place"
Well put Maeve
Amazing speech from an amazing woman.
Thank you, Thandie Newton for your words and inspiration.
You are a hero, and you're role on Westworld helped me in more ways then one.
In 2017, I lost my stepdaughter. My wife and I seperated. It brought us further apart. Now, a couple years later, Semone; my wife and I remain the best of friends. We will divorce sometime this Summer, but will always love and respect one another.
Maeve went back for her daughter. I would too. So would Semone.
Thandie Newton, the strength you demonstrate sparks bravery in me.
You are my favorite actress.
Before that is was Michelle Pfeiffer. Lol, she still is, but you are my favorite actress of today.
Ever since I saw you on Westworld.
I saw what you are capable of.
I remembered you from Mission Impossible II and Riddick before.
After that, Westworld.
For the 1st time in a long time, a woman has become my favorite actress. Also my favorite character on the show Westworld.
Thank you, Thandie Newton, for your strength and inspiration.
One more thing... In this time with this Corona virus thing. This demon, whatever... Stay safe, friend. Please. You are too important.
May you, your family and friends stay safe and healthy.
We need you here on this world.
You are too important.
Cheers, friend.
☕
I really needed to hear this, I've always felt "lost". This is a comforting remark and I hope to carry its message.
Fundamental truth is often simple in nature.
You are not your story. Your memories do not comprise what the immediate present is (which is ALL there is. The past can only exist in memory, in the present. Anticipation of the future can only exist in the NOW) or what the true essence of who you are is.
If you can live immediately in the present, your story - however tragic - cannot truly affect anything other than the amalgamated mental image of Self. The Ego. The 'I'.
Crazy how just came across this speech of hers. What's even more ironic is how she mentions race and anthropology yet I'm enrolled in an anthropology class currently and we've been learning about the human race concept
when you high af and you hear "self" at least 40 times *-*
I'm not high and she says self like 100 times.
This is one of my favourite talks
Can't believe that human can reach such a super way to fathom the interior self...her lines deserve to be titles of books❤❤
She just proved that we are more than than the labels others (and we) stick on our Selves. Go Thandie! :-D
CRUDELY put, she says, the "self" is a reflection of a construct of who we are based on how others see us, because we desire to fit in. So, because of peer pressure, socialization, and brutalization, we project to others not our true essence, but the image they created. Disconnecting and moderating their "self", allows you to connect to your essence ("your" self) and by expressing it, instead of reflecting their image, experience true oneness with your"self" & others, then finally self-respect.
I've only just came across this now. What an incredible talk!
I love how the crux of the point is the self and oneness, which implies religious connotation, yet she is an athiest whose educational credentials are of the highest order.
This resonated with me in that we can be spiritual and yet athiestic.
I thought it very Zen..
All spirituality, heretofore, have been materialist spiritualities. Think of Greek plays, they were rituals, accomplished with a collective narrative, and a whole host of ritual objects. Even the Buddha never experienced nirvana in some different dimensional plane, the Buddha attained enlightenment sitting under a tree.
Current critical theorists are proposing materialist spiritualities, they think that this is a new idea. This is not a new idea.
This is one the most enlightening TED Talks I’ve came across. I saw this video years back and it’s given me a fresh perspective now that I’m older.
this is our coursework at university and Im proud of it:)Masterfully talk
First class being. Trying to get beyond her beauty and truly hearing her was a task but I think I learned something beautiful about my self.
Left me with tears...so beautiful!
She raises a very interesting question about how much of our personalities originate from our own brains. How much we have simply decided to live up to the expectations that others have of us, because this allows us to better "fit in" ?
This is really one of the best TED and ever given talks in general! Ever! Thank you Thandie and thank you TED team for having her over to share this magnificence of the secret of lifecwith us! Wow! She really is an amazing being!
I completely relate and understand everything she spoke of and hold on to every word she said!
This resonated with me a lot. I will say that race isn’t born out of just fear and ignorance, but as a justification for exploitation and abuse to create an intentional power imbalance and to profit.
I have hardly heard a louder applaud on a ted talk.
I see my self with a clearer awareness thanks to you, at least for a moment.
God! Was this before or after Westworld? This is amazing 💯
Oh what a happy discovery to stumble upon these short and pithy lectures by TedtalksDirector. Thank you RUclips for sponsoring this material that will ameliorate the collective consciousness for all those interested in listening to these programs.
How very valuable the relevant what she is saying is, now, 5 years later.
Who knew that I had ANYTHING in common with Thandie Newton? Not fitting in (my sister and I desegregated several elementary schools), searching for self, eating disorder (I did the binge without the purge)...I couldn't act or dance, but I used literary arts to define myself. All this time I thought she was JUST this aloof, way too thin but talented actress. That was ego deceiving me. I have so much more in common with her than my tiny mind allowed me to believe. Another lesson in humility.
I really liked this speech. I can relate to some things, but I'd really need to ask some things to Thandie to completly understand what she meant in this speech.
Wow! She's such an inspiration. Beauty, brains, soul, and heart!
Seeing this just after watching Season 2 of Westworld is kind of interesting and ironic. :D She basically plays herself in this show. A person who is emotional, loving, caring and has a lot of empathy.
This is so beautiful
She is helping so many people.
This moved me to tears. What a beautiful, wise soul.
Why so many dislikes for thandie. She is enchanting. I don't understand.
I love this talk and what she says: the "Source of Shame is a source of Enlightenment."
She ties so many issues into this talk
Truely enlightening!
Thank you so much!
This oneness is portrayed in the kindest of lights. In fact, this all needs deconstructing. Also, let's be realistic change only ever comes as a crisis is occurring. Too many people, not enough resources. We will struggle like the song birds in the winter, someday.
Well done, a great story of transcendence and an excellent stab at the industry of self-image.
Amazing, resonating TED talk.
A truly zen lecture.
The fact that many authors have written about the same subject, with more or less insight, for big or small audiences, doesn't change the fact that there is a fundamental truth we all share or pursued, and that is oneness, even if we are not aware. I believe this is an honest speech from a very insightful and sensitive woman. And her British accent is delicious!
I think if you read the book called "Waking Up" by Sam Harris you will understand a little bit more about her speech.
I don't think it's bad at all. Twenty years ago, I wouldn't have connected to it. It has taken a great deal of self-inflicted physical, mental and emotional pain to get me to the point where I can focus on what I have in common with others instead of the differences. The old me would have thought what was coming out of her mouth sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher (from "Peanuts").
wow! I'm amazed by her humble and wonderful speech! I really like it starting from 12:00
Functioning in harmony with our essence, our divinity, is the ultimate point of human development, and holistic progress. "We must now realize that we are the servants of one God, that we turn to one beneficent Father, live under one divine law, seek one reality and have one desire (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 66)."
It is peaceful to know that we belong to each other to God to everything around us. Inwardly and outwardly to help us love. The pain of not belonging is deep, but love heals us. When we love and when we feel loved by loving.
This is my favorite TedTalks ever
I don't know what to say. As far as this stage of my life is concerned, she has spoken a revelation. Bless her!
I don't get this separation between "self" and "essence". I don't understand her message.
I am an anomaly and so thank you for this talk.
So Maeve is now posing as a movie actress named Thandie... impressive
I would say that that thing she calls oneness whe she is acting and dancing is precisely the self that is found when a person executes its virtues as she does acting or dancing, it is not lost, it is found... she got it backwards IMHO
hearing her talk is unbelievably soothing...
Thandie Newton dropping spiritual truth bombs like it ain't no thang. Starting around 7:57, accelerating at 12:06, rivers of truth, surging through the cracks of our constructed reality. Blown away by how multi-dimensionally aware this woman is.
you're an idiot.
No apology is necessary.
Someone disliking a video does not mean the "Disliker" was uninterested in the subject, maybe the person disagrees with what the person is saying or doing or simply doesn't like the person. A person who is uninterested on the other than would not of clicked to watch this video.
You say that the video is boring. So again I say: Why are you watching it? it's a fairly simple question that doesn't need an unnecessary reaction.
I met her very briefly, years ago. I'd love to meet her again.
When I first became aware of myself. I experienced everything She spoke of. To this day I am Still trying on different selves. trying unvail my true self. and It always seems to collapse. I too have feelings and wants of Dissapearing. But with the desire to Rise above and be seen. bit contradictory. Instead search for the moments that I can lose myself in my passions. when I dont have to be anything. Something I will continue to do.
I have no words for how this moved me, other than bravo! So much of what Mrs. Newton said resonated with me.
I watched this yesterday morning. Didn't expect to watch it in it's entirety but I was locked in. LOVED IT!!
FANTASTIC , ONE OF THE FEW TED TALKS WITH RAW EMOTION AND LOGIC
This was a great talk -very moving and true. I loved it.
She depress me for the night, i'm almost crying. I like her!
her voice is perfect for those story CD things for kids to listen to as they read the book
Crash movie simply represent what she said about herself and her thinking as her grown up factor clearly reflect as she acted in the movie........
Simply she is great
what a graceful speaker. Thank you for this!
I actually HATE to be like anyone else, I like to be unique in my own way! :)
Powerful , emotive .
Thandie Newton greatest talk from an actror on ted talks! period!
Very wise and profound words from Thandie.I started crying around 10:30.
"but there is something that can give the self intimate and ultimate connection. And that thing is oneness--our essence"
Wow... this is amazing😣🖤
imagine this being taught in every school.. accross all nations.
actually answering questions and studying this in AP Human Geo rn!
@@ochieng4203 I’m in English year 12 and we are meant to be watching this 🤣🤣 I actually love this😭😭
I'm pretty sure she's me. This really got to me, that was amazing.
she speaks what is in her heart and I really felt it.
We each are a processes of the universe, and not only the universe is in us but we are it. But this is a philosophy that I don't take too seriously. We have our individual experiences and it's OK to live from them. As long as you have the notion in back of your mind, that the you that you think you are is only a temporary state in the affairs of the cosmos.
You don't have to try to connect yourself the universe, because you already are connected to what's around you. Weather you like it or not.
this was beautiful O.o
you can tell she's an actress, she expresses so much through her gesture and voice
i don't believe in everything she says, but her voice is just so wonderful to listen to....
Metaphysics expressed in an everyday language!
A superb talk!
Bravo! Excellent!!!
this is exactly what I think of this World. Everyone is an Individual. A country, Religious Belief, Traditions or Family should not Define anyone. Everyone is a Special Individual.
Not only is she beautiful inside and out she is brilliant, thank you for sharing, happy to pass along!
This was absolutely amazing!
It's so much a part of Western thought to treat the 'self' or ego in a way that assumes it's something real and almost tangible. The idea that the whole thing is merely something constructed by the mind is not often addressed. I know there are always exceptions to everything, but for the most part, that assumption of a 'self' is a foundation of Western thought that is seldom questioned in our society.
@pomaori i dont think that "im black, my life is so hard" was the point of her talk, and i dont think it was a story of self pity either. She was telling us how to overcome the feeling of otherness, and how she didnt let her flawed self keep her from doing that.
My mixed race daughter said at the age of FIVE - "I want to be my SELF". She was and is, but being mixed race and with parents from two different nations, she's still not really found her own identity.
I think she is amazing. I always thought she was great in everything she has done
She sucks in everything she has done.
She seems to be doing a whole lot better than you. So you must REAAAAAAAALLLLLYYYYY suck. sad!
Brilliant speech. I have new found respect for Thandie as an individual and an intellectual