Finding freedom in an art museum | Ricky Jackson | TEDxMet

Ricky Jackson has become a hero to all who have met him. The injustice he faced-serving a 39-year prison sentence, some of it on death row, for a crime he did NOT commit-is unfathomable to us. He was convicted on the basis of a false testimony of a 12 year old boy. But even more remarkable is the grace and humility he carries in the wake of that injustice; the first thing he did when he was released was forgive his accuser.
Ricky Jackson grew up in Cleveland and as a young child spent countless hours wandering through the Cleveland Museum of Art. In 1975, at nineteen years old, he was convicted and sentenced to death for a murder he did not commit. He was within a month of his execution date when his sentence was commuted to life in prison. Jackson spent almost his entire adult life-over thirty-nine years-in state prison before he was officially exonerated in 2015 at age fifty-eight. At the time of his release, he was the longest-serving innocent man in U.S. history.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@coeurviegirl]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MEETING ME SO WARMLY TODAY. YOU ARE DIVINE!

[@chrismlost99]

This man is absolutely a genuine warm hearted person, he’s humble and full of love. I’m so glad he’s a free man and able to enjoy life. Bless you Ricky may your life be blessed

[@TamiFowler1]

What a wonderful human being. I'm so glad I found this video. ..I was wondering how he was doing since his exoneration. What a blessing.

[@isabellaferreira6910]

Tami Fowler lm

[@twielajones384]

i feel the same way

[@sallaycrawford3245]

Honestly! I am flawed by how calm he is. You would have to be an amazing human being to endure 39 years in prison for something you did not do. Barry Sheck and all at the Innocence Project are HEROES!

[@janethutcheson3678]

Love his attitude of forgiveness, hope and a great future in spite of his ordeal.

[@AnnaBSexton]

The power of the art and this man's imagination and how it kept him growing is inspirational

[@noapology88]

This man is a remarkable testimony to the sanctity of life.

[@rafaelalves6376]

What an example for all of us. Schools should show this speech for all their students, that's a lesson that any school book cannot teach.

[@luciabee]

what a remarkable man.

[@taramichelle2972]

This man is a gentle, kind and person with a pure heart. Justice was done in freeing this innocent man, may everyday be blessed for you Ricky.

[@JanineNgthegeek]

such as decent and humble man! I really like him!

[@Aritul]

May this man be blessed beyond measure. He is a great man not to hold resentment. I wish him every happiness.

[@shellyg7598]

I hadn't heard Ricky Jackson's story before, I'm just cruising youtube but so glad I heard him speak. He is unforgetable. Most people have a good message but HE is the message. There's something about him that has me in tears right now. "Our life is a masterpiece", I 'll never forget that. Ricky Jackson emerged from 39 years of wrongful imprisonment as a masterpiece. I think his Mom's years of praying are being manifested -- he's free and speaking and blessing the world. Thank you Mr. Ricky Jackson.

[@imuurme]

he is so natural...comfortable in his skin...he's amazing..

[@judyhenny7784]

Such, a great example of peace.

[@julslatt6294]

🌅 Yes, Ricky is at peace, It is well with my soul… 🎹🎼When peace like a river attendeth my way When sorrows like 🌊 sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul…❤️☮️

[@stjohnfoster9140]

Was feeling down but listen to this man makes me appreciate what I have now thank you

[@skyedreams28]

Beautiful story! So happy for you and that the truth set you free! Wishing you many more blessings in the years to come🍀

[@raizalmohammad7444]

Wow...i bet deep inside him he missed his mother the most.. May the rest of his life be filled with beauty... Inspiring..

[@davidbrewster1994]

WHAT A WISE AND DEEPLY GOOD GUY.....THIS PRESENTATION WAS SO GOOD AND ENJOYABLE!!

[@islamamir8267]

Woweee he is an inspiration to many other people in society today

[@southlondon86]

This man is a HERO. A true hero. Has he even been compensated for his near four decades behind bars for something he didn't do!!!??? If not, a petition needs to be made asap. I would love to meet this man. I'm not gonna lie, this video had me in tears.

[@ironmanxp2003]

Yes he has been compensated...hes got alittle over $2 million....still not enough if you ask me...but better than nothing.....you can help make him feel alittle better by giving him a great big hug........then slowly unzip his pants?.....pull out his long black powerful african warrior spear?.......lick one side of his head...be gentle.....its been 39 years ya know.....dont wanna have you drown in his kwanza snow goo..........its been trapped in his mandingo nut pouch for almost 4 decades....but only you can compensate his captives with your warm delicate british sugarwall muscles..................THATS IT IM GONNA JACK OFF NOW

[@southlondon86]

iron man Dude you really need a woman in your life. And no, pornhub doesn't count.

[@felixrubalcava4533]

o

[@theimplacableauthoritarian2938]

Man, the poetry is killer! 😂😂😂 daaamn!

[@alansamuel2454]

@@ironmanxp2003 Bro seriously you're a poet.

[@telmavedica]

" Art is a guaranty of sanity" Louise Bourgois

[@carlatheskingurugmail9608]

What an exquisite soul!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for maintaining such beauty in impossible circumstances, Your graciousness is unbelievably powerful and a supreme example of the type of love & humility that can heal and unite us all.

[@miss.conduct]

I can listen to this humble man speaking his mind all day. So well spoken and insightful.

[@gentleeventful]

What a magnificent human being. Please do an hour's program and walk around the museum and tell us your stories I would love to share the museum with your eyes.

[@MsPaigeygirl]

God is so good 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 may you continue to bless and keep this man. He is so humble 🙏🏽

[@jonathanthemad7071]

There are many who have been innocent and still been killed by a state, how can this testimony be be evidence of the greatness of god when so many others don't receive it?

[@peterdegrandis4630]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@SD-ts7eb]

I’m so glad u still have your mind! 🙌🏼🙏

[@Godstrumpet2010]

There are thousands of innocent Rickey Jacksons in prisons all over this country, locked away from us. We are missing out.

[@ItsNotRealLife]

Godstrumpet2010 How do you know this?

[@AnthonyHayesAbyssartsStudio]

@@ItsNotRealLife because we know. Look at your history

[@ItsNotRealLife]

@@AnthonyHayesAbyssartsStudio Because you know. Very intelligent answer!

[@aquaticspasticp5024]

@@ItsNotRealLife ummmmmmmm this video and the others it's happened to, there videos are also here on youtube.

[@ItsNotRealLife]

@@aquaticspasticp5024 Ummmmmm I know this video is on KZbin duh! There's thousands of other videos of these people? Please give me all those links

[@cvetannikolov2823]

This Human gives mi Hope

[@carolasmith1629]

If he wouldnt forgive, he still would be in "Prison". The real prison is in our hearts and minds.

[@knowthyself5044]

Carola Smith, Amen💗

[@lglge611]

Easy to tell... But you are right.

[@Risingofthephoenixxx]

Eek I know you mean well but what an insensitive comment. Try being in a real prison (wrongfully might I add) for 39 years and then get back to us with your philosophical talk.

[@ItmeFatima]

My heart pains for him

[@craigdavidson1493]

😭😭😭😭

[@undergroundlegend198]

Me too😢😢😢😢

[@jennyafonso6231]

I can't stop thinking.. From 1975-85 not released that a decade 85-95 not released until 2014.. imagine I was born in 1989. Damn that so painful 😭

[@ConstanceWambui]

God bless you

[@lorainecodrington5721]

What a pleasant, well spoken, well healed, Blessed man. God is/was good to him. I hope they are greater things in life for him and that he enjoys a Happy Healthy life from this day on. Lies damages people's lives. They kill the person you are or was meant to be. There's always Karma around the corner waiting for them(the liar/s) In this case they were innocent they had no control of the wheels in motion. Thank God it had/has a beautiful ending. Forgiveness is the tool

[@TWERKinBELGRADE]

He is example of how all of us should behave-when we have some problems, it's all about overcoming obstacles, staying human and humane, being humble, if he could and can do it after all . . . woow

[@Valerie-gn1rr]

One of my favorite talk. Sincere, humble. And he knows how to dress too! (That's the French woman in me;.)

[@shivasantosht]

His is a powerful story 😢

[@flixtain]

Why did it take all those years to prove him innocent?? 39 years wrongfully behind bars is unpardonable Injustice.

[@jennyafonso6231]

Atleast a decade but 39 that too much

[@loraineharkhoe6648]

Yes , 🙏he is a man a good man .god bles him 🙏

[@curtisgallimore1086]

What a wonderful person.

[@vvee6248]

Awww, beautiful story, thank you for sharing 👍🏾✨👏🙏🌈

[@lashawnbrooks8952]

Very wise intelligent great guy 🙏

[@sunglowluxe2345]

Incredible testimony!

[@edwinsulabo5081]

God bless you man..

[@bujinmasha6968]

I regret that our justice put this beautifil man in jail for 40 years. But I am so honored now listening to this Great human being and real man.

[@lilyangel9914]

He is such an amazing man...😊How wish I can meet him, hug him🤗and tell him, so sorry for everything...😒They really ruin his young age life...😥May God bless him always, I pray he live his life to the fullest, I pray he live long, long, life...🙏💗💗💗

[@adiyahyIsrael_]

A peculiar and set apart people. May the most High Yah continue to bless and embrace him abundantly!💜👣💜👣

[@ceciliamarongwe363]

You are a wonderful person. God bless you.

[@krishnasrinivasan7541]

You are an amazing human being. You are an inspiration to me.

[@deedee6460]

Amazing man!

[@spiritualstars]

Those who gave 11 dislikes you go to prison for 39 years and see if you then appreciate his story or whatever your reason for having a bad day disliking the video

[@katinaW68]

Ricky you seem like such an incredible man!

[@lovingatlanta]

🤔Think about this….He was in jail for more years than his attorney had been alive. Just think about his path to freedom....It took his attorney’s parents to meet, marry and procreate...it took the birth of his attorney...his attorney has to follow his destiny to become a lawyer...and to save this man’s life!! Amazing. 😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏💝

[@sergio4740]

Imagine what this wonderful man could have accomplished in the 39 years that were stolen from him?

[@MsJune-sx4gj]

What an incredible man!

[@-BigIi-]

The Book will certainly be a popular read or even a bestseller... if he's not on that already..

[@gemsforjesus9076]

Literally got me in TEARS!!!!!!!......he took "LEMONS" and made LEMONADE!!!!!!!.....Thank you Jesus for allowing "justice" to finally prevail, allowing him to be "free" and "EXONERATED"!!!!

[@carlossimmons9493]

Jesus did nothing....his lawyers did

[@stephaniecarothers7421]

Yes, Jesus did help him.

[@playzone245]

He took lemons and made orange juice now that that is somn

[@peterstevens6555]

Kia Ora from Auckland, New Zealand …

[@survivorship4290]

Beautiful!!!! ⭐👏🏾😔😢🌷❤️

[@susanfraser1920]

this man is a real man , a man who has a soul and heart big enogh for 100 people god bless him but god help society

[@claudespeed7242]

Wow man love u story I got very emotional on u

[@vsmith4710]

Amazing

[@dummmylog3070]

I love his accent

[@Regimeshifts]

me too. i wasnt sure what about how he talked i liked and your comment nailed it

[@kenishi8781]

Good man

[@zijielim4652]

He sounds like Morgan freeman

[@jisan8549]

Very similar

[@Geez01]

3/4 of the people in that room are probably invested in private prisons.

[@davidgreenidge2394]

Keep hope alive

[@elementsofvirtue]

"He who the Son sets free is free indeed." Now he's not just physically free from bondage. He's free indeed! Spirit soul and body! Glory to the High. Only by the mercy of Almighty God can one forgive to such an extent, as did Jesus who was crucified in innocence. Now He is risen. He who forgives is also forgiven. It's truly a blessing to hear him speak. Praise be unto God of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in whose name the penalty of death shall be and is defeated on earth as it is in heaven.

[@shivasantosht]

That Horseman was his guardian angel !

[@khimalibangbang8491]

❤️

[@shephherd]

For all those who have spent a lifetime in a hateful and unhappy relationship... is nothing. Forgive and start afresh

[@mrsstrawberryluv1]

Congrats good looking 😉

[@mrsstrawberryluv1]

F that he should be in prison he put you in prison I can forgive but you gotta go do time too

[@jaybaker8938]

That's the US for ya. If they find something that's genuinly pure, they throw it in jail.

[@The31stway]

Anybody else thought that was Charlie Murphy in the thumbnail 🤦🏾‍♀️🙋🏿‍♀️

[@Allergictocatstoo]

Such a mensch!

[@angelawhite7418]

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@paulhackett796]

2.6 million was nothing. I'm literally always so angry when I hear this story.

[@kamulegeyakim5169]

Please use Rickeys story find other innocent Rickeys

[@Aritul]

Yes!

[@Otty-uk4hf]

Shame on America for so many wrongful convictions. Shame on you!

[@klamatsi]

AMERICA ALWAYS SAY SHE IS FOR THE WORLD BUT SHE OPPRESSES THE WORLD ANY WAY INCLUDING AMERICANS

[@cvetannikolov2823]

87 comments ???

[@jamsonleandre823]

you weren't exonerated come on now, they give you back the rest of you life. people who's exonerated did something, but you did not do dam wrong thing to be placed there for decades. no more when I was exonerated ok big bro!

[@royaebrahim2449]

❤