Respectability politics subjugate personal authenticity | Sarah Kelsey Hall | TEDxTWU

If we are “not to be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character” then we need to let our character show through. People often get caught up adorning masks that make them look more alike or as different as possible from stereotypical identities, but either way, in doing so, they always lose themselves.
Sarah Hall is a millennial passionate about finding creative solutions for making our communities more inclusive and diverse. In 2015, Sarah graduated with a Masters of Library Science from the University of North Texas and now works as a law librarian for a corporate law firm in Dallas.
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

[@dandiaz19934]

Bless this woman for bringing up these issues to TED Talks, which too often don't have a racial dimension to them.

[@kalopanoramic6001]

Y’all let her point fly over your heads because she’s nervous?! Rewatch her video to get her point please.

[@sk8ter975]

I know I’m late to the party but I agree with you. People placing all their preconceived notions on this woman’s body, solidifying the points she is making. People in these comments talking like they know this woman smh.

[@cooperhough7583]

These people are practicing tone policing while she talks about how it lmao

[@OGK-1414]

I know, so sad. They do that all the time. Imagine where world would be if people didn't listen with their eyes.

[@chelseaabila07]

This was an intellectual empathetic teaching that significantly touched my heart. Thank you, Sarah Kelsey Hall!

[@blackprncess89]

Great breakdown. Appreciate you for speaking on it!

[@theheidivariation]

Thank you for explaining respectability politics like this! It really resonated and helped me understand.

[@cherishdeb]

I admire her for speaking up through, and despite her nervousness. and she is absolutely correct. but she DOES look like a librarian. good talk!

[@sess845]

Awesome. Thank you!

[@St.Aether]

Thank you

[@monicarenaeb.5705]

Grateful for this vid

[@memea3831]

Great video!

[@jermaineedwards5077]

Bless her she was so nervous but great speech tho.

[@dechenmo8966]

best of the TEDs

[@nixonotieno6208]

Obviously, she never overcame her nervousness. Good talk, though.

[@mfitzgerald2288]

Nixon Otieno her nervousness may have aided her delivery as it was very clear and succinct.

[@moniqueloomis9772]

@@mfitzgerald2288 Exactly. Authenticity.

[@susan3476]

Her swaying made me anxious so I just listened and stopped watching. Her talk of being authentic was good.

[@COCOCHEYENNE01]

loved the message but she moves ssoooo much.

[@anelbre0904]

Kelsey C Most likely nerves.

[@kevmiller748]

its best to just listen and not watch i found it was a beautiful speech

[@JCosio-bs9xr]

Turning down the music in your car is not only respectable, it may very well save your life. If you think there is no biological importance of race, your doctor might disagree with you. You've never had fried chicken in Korea. It's ok to have masks. It often takes the form of "registers" Being able to present yourself in different ways is a valuable skill. You'd know this if you worked with people with autism. I personally don't want to exposed to TMI. Without these masks, we wouldn't have intimacy.

[@eryn5826]

Jaime Escalante no she's speaking of it as a response to racism not in reference to desirability politics

[@markcangila1613]

"Masks" are damaging because they hide emotional turmoil, kill discussion of issues, and stop fixing things.

[@mattm5447]

Girl what are you talking about 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂