Poetic Stickup: Put the Financial Aid in the Bag

At TEDYouth 2011, Performance artist Carvens Lissaint shows how to use language, metaphor and imagery to express a powerful idea -- as in this spoken word performance, a stirring plea to make college education more accessible.

[@TheOfficialWoover]

This was amazing. the acting was amazing, the meessage was truthful, and I don't think anyone would have done it any better. just perfect.

[@thudthedestroyer515]

I wonder why you don't see stuff like this on any of the other networks? This was powerful and there are lot of people that need to see it (like Congress!)

[@nicolau2]

It was indeed very powerful.

[@thudthedestroyer515]

Nicolás López-Táppero You are dog gone right!

[@lunablood383]

This poem was one of the two that got me into slam poetry. I’m forever grateful

[@jessicalindly2118]

I love the beginning. I love the middle. I love the end. This is awesome!

[@SinanSahin96]

"Keep us psychologically feeble so we lose our purpose in the process."

[@TeamNaturalMKE]

Truth!

[@gusward728]

If I ever have to read a poem in class im so going to pick this.

[@abriannafletcher3271]

I can't see how people don't get this? If you don't appreciate this you obviously don't know the struggle.

[@watcheem]

First I was like: "Who is this crazy man, how did he end up at TED?!" Then I was like: *crying*

[@LEEyring]

I found it deep and touching, and by the end I was tearing up. As a struggling college student, I know too well... and my student loans will follow me the rest of my life. And I'm one of the lucky ones.

[@heckyes]

I make between $65-$45 an hour, I work from my house, at any hour of the day, wearing sometimes just my PJs. I take whatever days off I want, sleep in late and stay up late. Basically about as free as I think any average person hopes to be in this world. As long as I get my tasks completed before the due date my clients are happy. I dropped out of college and I skipped almost 30% of high school, I even failed two classes. My advice, do something because you love it and people will recognize it

[@najroh85]

Wow I absolutely loved the performance and the truth behind the message!!

[@andy4an]

Bless the guy who stopped his clock from running out.

[@PoetryETrain]

Thank you Carvens, added to a playlist...

[@heckyes]

Web programming. Working with Linux, Apache, Mysql and PHP. Otherwise known as LAMP. I write all of the functionality for a website where as a Web designer might just design the graphics, layouts etc. Very easy to learn and very easy to get employment from almost anywhere on the planet wherever there is Internet access.

[@nexus1g]

A college degree means one thing: I've invested this time because this is what I really want to do with my life. It doesn't mean you're good at the job. It doesn't mean you know anything. It just shows commitment to something. You don't need a college degree to do that as long as you have a way to show off your skills. For instance, do you think you need an MBA in order to be a CEO when you have a proven track record of running businesses? Experience in the field is worth more than a degree.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Sometimes,it is sad but true that those who are rich get the best education and the credentials to support them.Most of those who have no financial support ends up in high debt even before they get a job.There is someone who has a Doctorate but never practiced what he learned,he became a driver just to make ends meet but he is very happy,nonetheless. What I am trying to say is that sometimes one's success is because of their hard-work and ingenuity.

[@TechnoGlowStick]

This was amazing! I'm ashamed, but at first I was confused, but then I heard the second half! So I watched it agin; in total awe!

[@santinojozefmiller7721]

The 45th US president of Ted talks.

[@nexus1g]

I really like the way you phrased that. It includes a much broader scope than just sitting in a classroom.

[@FincaElCasquillo]

you said it All, so - I bow to you

[@edgarfgoldberger9756]

Malcom X spoke truth to power. This is in that tradition. Loans are volenteer slavery!

[@drew2pac]

:) those are my exact views on life!! the more i learn, the more fascinating the world becomes! i have 3 areas i excel at, and all 3 are self taught!

[@Velvet3699]

Very well done. I felt like I was in the theater watching a show~she is great!!!

[@iluvdrakeandjosh]

you can't guarantee you'll be able to support a family or even yourself based on that. There are tons of great games that go unnoticed, painters that go on living on the streets and obscure writers who aren't recognized(until they're dead in some cases). Now a degree might lead you down the same road but with bankruptcy but you have a better chance with multiple jobs and specialties.

[@heckyes]

Why doesn't this have a zillion views?

[@TheMidWestMessiah]

In fairness, American Indians have had just as many if not more struggles and get far less publicity for their struggles. But your point is valid.

[@CBrando516]

No one should be robed for an education. What we can learn is that people who want schooling and to better themselves in society shouldn't be so hard.

[@TheOriginalUserName9]

I believe that with everything I got, but now it seems that people aren't lookin at what you know there lookin for the piece of paper that you get after college that shows what you studied. I wish it could be this simple... which is why we gotta turn this world around

[@thing188]

Just because you found a job without a degree doesn't mean that the system isn't set up so that you are almost required to go to college/grad school. You are the exception to the rule. While trying to find an internship this summer, every single company I could find required you to either be enrolled in a higher education institution or to have recently received your BS/MS/PhD before they would even look at your resume. EVERY SINGLE ONE, without exception.

[@sealclubber2021]

My college transcript would read 2 semesters silver smiting 2 semesters watercolor. College is a great place for people without talent or ambition. For the record I have 2 cars a motorcycle and a house. 'cept for the house they are all paid off. Ive worked dead end jobs even worked for apple for 3.5 years. Learning stuff is fun, paying 50k a year to take classes you don't need or want isn't. Perhaps that is why I watch TED talks...

[@twistedkeys1]

That's true, I was actually home schooled using just online resources and books. Now I'm getting my generals done, and some computer science. And will be getting a masters in SE. The only reason I'm going to college is because I want to make it official in case I need to get a job, and a good one at that. Otherwise, I'd just start learning code and program like the wind. Probably make more money in the long run anyway. But ultimately I want to start my own business. Or in this case, a program :)

[@MaCD671]

FUUUCK YEEAAH!!!! that shit set my spirit on fire!!! i love people who can speak like this....

[@Haminette]

This isn't a black issue, it's an everyone not in that 1% issue. However, a black man doing the performance has greater impact in this particular society because of it's history.

[@Cyfix15]

I AINT A KILLER BUT DONT PUSH MEE!!

[@Chickenbranches]

this actually brought a tear to my eye

[@GlowingPie]

The man who wrote Russian subtitles is genius😂

[@thing188]

True, you can have a great education without going to college, but all that learning doesn't mean a thing to a company if you don't have a diploma. Saying you can get a good education outside of college sidesteps the main issue here, which is that if you want to be able to support a family, you are almost required to put yourself in debt so that you can go to college.

[@TarynLyons]

amazing

[@satalag]

Powerful poetry. Laugh and cry.

[@daerotgninrael]

free Stanford lectures are fantastic small screen: $216 iPod touch + wifi connection + iTunesU + some electricity + preferably a learning buddy more awesome large screen version: $540 That seems a lot on top of tuition, but INSTEAD of tuition (even for one semester before going to college), that is so incredibly cheap. Coffee shops and book stores have wi-fi. $10,000 donation = 18.5 ipads (educational tools) with 2 year lifespans

[@truleyprecious]

Beautiful.

[@kikigirlxox]

Incredible

[@TheBelmontClan]

A piece of paper in exhange for a piece of paper. Jobs are not the problem, education is not the problem, tradition is. If grandma's and grandpa's told us the reasons for the traditions, they probably would have just said, they didn't have the same options at the time, but if they did, they might have changed the tradition.

[@twistedkeys1]

Software industry: no college, lease stress, averaging $100K+/year jobs, and potential to become a multibillionaire. Who's in?

[@dammitdarby]

Thank you for this. I need this.

[@Auntyalias2014]

This made me weep. Great performance.

[@RhymeMastersCommunity]

@SomeGuy5568 Context is in the performance, not the words. This the difference between a speech and spoken word poetry.

[@benwest123i]

Wow...this was awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@karinab7471]

This is EPIC

[@kellyhoyt1229]

this is beautiful and heartbreaking, i want to fix it damn it

[@Velvetwaters2010]

LOVE!!!

[@khsithij]

simple to understand ,amazing. children should be exposed to such experiments to get inspired to learn Science

[@iCuBiXx]

Amazing, truly amazing.

[@audi0cide]

wow i got chills

[@kasfi]

I love this work

[@Juwar1974]

you may not need to go to college to have a great education, but for most employers you need proof of a great education, and that usually requires a college degree. Unless you are going into business for yourself, you need a college education.

[@cbbuntz]

Biggie lives!

[@NicoleAgent]

Wow. Right there with ya dude. That hurts.

[@thatburneydude]

eyes were opened

[@nightsummer6467]

Without sound this is actually pretty funny

[@ShehaazSaif]

true...but it's really a deep topic (algorithms, data structures, etc)..basically "architecting" a software product is really complex and shouldn't be taken lightly....I guess watch open courses by MIT and Stanford on KZbin...Super helpful! ..I know it's crazy but a college degree gives you credibility...and that is hard to get...When mark Zuckerberg started FB and wanted to get public interest...all you heard was "Harvard Student"...But all this online content is revolutionizing education!

[@RedReversed]

I would just like to add that its not like that with everything.For example making games, painting or writing,etc.

[@RhymeMastersCommunity]

Not exactly. My comment was merely to point out the distinction between spoken word poetry and a speech. You read a little too deep into my comment.

[@adrianneaquino632]

watching 11 years ago 😀😀

[@droompht]

Something you probably can't comprehend

[@ShehaazSaif]

a CS degree is kinda important...(not promotions...you will be on a hamster wheel) but self learning is key

[@reyginaldaas5968]

WOW crazy! this knows is words - Just WOW

[@AmandaTroutman]

O.o Poetry is often very personal. Heaven forbid, a poet should express themselves from a position where they are supremely comfortable. you're nearly suggesting that a woman couldn't talk about achievement from the position of being a woman, or a native american couldn't talk about rights from the position of being native. This is piece is powerful because anyone could relate to him being aware of his other struggles on top of the struggles of financial aid.

[@Mamitchula]

Just put the money in the bag

[@a1iqbal]

this is brilliant

[@ryotacucteco]

Screaming never goes through foreigners.

[@jebc4652]

Amazing great message.

[@Shannon_Alise]

Try listening to some of the words or phrases that he quotes and then try to google it. They are either from famous rappers, band groups, slave owners, and comedians... Just some thoughtful advice...

[@thing188]

@Alexander Gunderson Just want to make sure I am following this, government gives money to colleges, this causes colleges to become more expensive? Just like corn? You do realize that corn is everywhere precisely bc it is artificially cheapened by subsidies, right?

[@Bauks]

Word...

[@WHOnokonohara]

That was amazing.

[@joebloe6619]

it will work in providing you with an education, it won't work in getting you a job

[@jerkbeast81]

@EmceeMind so for anyone who actually cares about substance it's pointless. Since performance interpretation is completely subjective. Got it.

[@Choi10916]

Very moving even if I didn't understand much of the first two minutes.

[@fistjedi]

Awesome!

[@mayhemlikeme3442]

i cried

[@BlkUnicornTarotpist]

Amen! speak it.

[@BlkUnicornTarotpist]

amen! speak it.

[@nexus1g]

It frustrates me when people get a bachelor's degree then question, "Where's the meritocracy?" when they don't get a job.

[@999AnnA999]

true

[@CharlieShread]

If this moved you, I highly recommend watching "Paradise or Oblivion" by The Venus Project. It's a free film on KZbin.

[@irocksalot100]

that was so cool.

[@ScrewBinLaden]

Certainly not just a black problem. I just got denied Fafsa and the Pell grant. I dont know what im going to do.

[@freal]

Shame most of those people didn't get the KRS-One reference.

[@kennethbgoodin]

What do you do? I want to start doing that.

[@jdlgrishanne]

I understand your point. I can agree that some people simply don't succeed because they are unwilling to put forth effort & try to blame it on others so they don't have to admit it. True it's not only the Black race that experiences discrimination, (anyone who's poor it automatically at a disadvantage & I think he was more speaking on that than anything else). However, I believe Blacks are the worst regarded in the world. I remember I once read an article in which an anonymous... (continued).

[@sicariusaevita2635]

agreed. It depends on where you live...

[@Wakitarb1]

Wow, I cannot speak at this moment!

[@DivingDeveloper]

Wow. Some incredible salient points in there.. it would be hilarious if it wasn't so on the money..

[@whatever54170]

While i admit that that was beautiful and he is talented, I didnt understand any of it

[@ChowMeinWarrior]

Nice

[@Shieva]

right

[@medalhonor]

Why not get a job and work your way through college like my father, my brother, my sister, and I all did.

[@ryotacucteco]

I need subtitle...

[@Chaoticdeity740]

😍😌