The emotional cost of being a black woman in America | Monica Johnson | TEDxBloomington

Black women and southern trees suffer from a similar affliction. They are marked to be the tellers and bearers of truth in a world socially constructed to destroy them. Social justice educator, Monica Johnson explores the parallels of her identity development and the life and legacy of the great Billie Holiday. This talk uncovers the day that Monica comes to understand what being a Black woman born and raised in the American south truly affords her. Monica asks the audience to stop and listen to an uncomfortable truth about the burden that Black women are forced to carry. Monica uses the legacy of Billie Holiday’s world renowned performance of “Strange Fruit” to explain what great cost Black women pay to expose the world to the truth. ---
-Live recording and post-production of this talk was done by Jon Stante Video Developer and Creator.- For the entirety of her career, Monica Johnson has been active nationally in issues dealing with access and success in higher education. She has led many presentations and workshops centered on the recruitment, retention, and success of underrepresented students and marginalized professionals for a plethora of conferences (i.e. National Association for College Admission Counseling, The College Board, the ACT, The Center for Leadership Development - Indianapolis, and National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education). Monica proudly serves as a Chair of the National Advisory Council for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE).
Monica received her bachelor’s degree in African and Diaspora Studies from Vanderbilt University, her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Mississippi College, and is currently completing her doctoral work as a Social Justice Fellow in Higher Education at Azusa Pacific University. Monica’s research centers on the existence, persistence, and resistance of Black women in American higher education, with an acute focus on other-mothering.
Monica is the current university director of Diversity Education and Cross-Cultural Engagement and the director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center at Indiana University Bloomington. In her current position at Indiana University, Monica works collaboratively with a variety of departments, student organizations, and community partners on the overall support and advocacy for underrepresented communities and the recruitment, retention, support, and success of Black students. 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

[@QueenV90z]

Race will always be talked about until everyone is treated equally. Just be nice and treat others how you want to be treated. PERIOD!

[@QueenV90z]

Thanks for the likes!!! We can make change happen! Let's not repeat history let's change the future!!!!

[@uditshakya7305]

Yasss...but If they keep burning random stores.. there'll be more hate than justice

[@uditshakya7305]

@Will Williams haha... Hope there's peace soon.. ✌️

[@mariajohansson1186]

@Sy Sharp I'm Swedish and we are not being replaced, we are not some endangered species, stop spreding lies

[@mariajohansson1186]

Sending love from across the sea, chang is possible❤️

[@laurennix7128]

Her voice and the words-- full body chills. Thank you for sharing your truth.

[@chiefhowlingwolfhannibal7360]

Oh please

[@ksager123]

@@chiefhowlingwolfhannibal7360 it's a bot

[@tashina45]

My tears can't be dried as my pain hollows within me, I applaud you sister, our journey is coming to an end and everything that inflicted agony would be held accountable to the last straw...

[@moniqueloomis9772]

By whom?

[@aninditanandi9157]

Hi, I'm an Indian research scholar carrying out my research on the triple marginalisation of Indian Dalit women and African American women, through an analysis of their Life Writings. This research calls for a scope to talk to actual individuals who belong to the communities I am working on. Listening to the first hand lived experiences and their take on the topic I have chosen are very crucial before submitting this study to the world of existing literature. Would you be interested to join me for a short interview of about ten to twelve questions related to my research, virtually? Looking forward to your response.

[@hodedo7803]

Need a kleenex?

[@lizwebb8223]

Ms. Johnson, Thank you so much for helping me hear. I have so much work to do. I promise you, I’ll do my work to the best of my ability. May you and family be blessed and never moved. Peace & Love, Liz

[@misscoldasf9643]

This woman speaks with such grace yet power

[@fredyvergara7597]

Miss greethings from panama

[@aninditanandi9157]

I'm an Indian research scholar carrying out my research on the triple marginalisation of Indian Dalit women and African American women, through an analysis of their Life Writings. This research calls for a scope to talk to actual individuals who belong to the communities I am working on. Listening to the first hand lived experiences and their take on the topic I have chosen are very crucial before submitting this study to the world of existing literature. Would you be interested to join me for a short interview of about ten to twelve questions related to my research, virtually? Looking forward to your response.

[@Gobigaccounting]

My heart is heavy today. I share & feel your pain. I listened to your TED Talk to try to find inspiration or hope... Thanks

[@Useernaamee]

It is important for us humans to perceive different perspectives and listen to those people that are different from us, hear their stories and problems, react with compassion and do our part, each and every single one of us. Look inside see how this makes you feel, see how the news make you feel, gather your own information don't just trust one source. Find out if you really feel that way or have you just adapted points of views from other people (parents, friends or even coworkers) or is it really how YOU feel. That is the only way we will finally live up to this human experience and live in our full potential. Everybody is worthy and worth the same. We are defined by our actions, do your part.

[@ReidGarwin]

"home is behind, the world ahead, there are many paths to tread, through shadow, to the edge of night, until the stars are all alight, mist and shadow, cloud and shade, all shall fade, all shall fade" - Pippin's Song Lord of The Rings Now I'm wondering if this song was inspired by Holiday

[@24james]

Nope! But the McRib damn sure was. 🤣

[@cookiescream6627]

Beautiful 🥰💞💞💞💋💞💋💞💋💞

[@AmyHakanson]

I LOVE Lord of the Rings, Tolkien is one of my absolute favorite authors, but that song is not about pain or oppression or horror. It is used in the film VERY differently from the way it was originally written in the book, where it was a song with lyrics written by Bilbo about returning from an adventure to a comfortable home and a warm bed. Holiday's performance of "Strange Fruit" definitely changed the world. But I think it's almost insulting to claim that it inspired a lighthearted song about hobbits going home, written by a white British man (in a book considered by many to have problematic depictions of race), and distracts from the power and message of HER music. The actual verse that was changed (there are three in the full song): Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are all alight. The world behind and home ahead, We'll wander back to home and bed. Mist and twilight, cloud and shade, Away shall fade! Away shall fade! Fire and lamp, and meat and bread, And then to bed! And then to bed!

[@ReidGarwin]

@@AmyHakanson respectfully educated reply, but I was only putting the lyrics to Pippin's Song to remember what the melody sounded like, not comparing the lyrical background of the song which I can agree there isn't one this comparison was aimed at the music

[@beatricedande5590]

I feel this on a magnified level since I grew up in Africa. It’s a new feeling, hits me hard every time I encounter racism. It’s been 11yrs and it still feels new. It’s something I need to accept but men it’s a difficult truth!

[@crttsome7504]

You are strong and will be stronger than any man.

[@stardustgirl2904]

Every person encounter's RACISM, regardless of skin color! And white people have also been slave's ,but no one talks about it!

[@bocchithean-cap3404]

OK N

[@bocchithean-cap3404]

@@crttsome7504 Ns are unable to achieve anything

[@TonyMontana-hf3gt]

Did you experience racism in Africa?

[@pennscyclingschool]

this is an painful and amazing talk and explanation of the truth!

[@facetedperspectives9950]

Her message gave me chills.... I know the pain and hardship of which she spoke. If only the world could understand.....

[@brandiguarino1778]

Many of us do.

[@benverzijlbergen2968]

I am very sorry to hear that. If there was one thing you could say, that the people that caused this pain and hardship would have to listen and reform to - what would it be?

[@redireseFM]

That was amazing💯 i felt her soul

[@aninditanandi9157]

Hi, I'm an Indian research scholar carrying out my research on the triple marginalisation of Indian Dalit women and African American women, through an analysis of their Life Writings. This research calls for a scope to talk to actual individuals who belong to the communities I am working on. Listening to the first hand lived experiences and their take on the topic I have chosen are very crucial before submitting this study to the world of existing literature. Would you be interested to join me for a short interview of about ten to twelve questions related to my research, virtually? Looking forward to your response.

[@ackkitsally]

Powerful and important to hear

[@ptweed5531]

Thank you Monica for such a great talk. Your words brighten up the world through this dark time of human history and bring hope to the future of humanity, to all people of any colour, gender and origin. Please stand your ground, keep being proud and unmovable!

[@PAC-nv3ep]

I like to keep things simple, everyone should have the same opportunity to succeed in life.

[@vaishakhkallattil9468]

Good for you on thinking that, so hopefully you’re acting on that principle and helping the movement

[@Useernaamee]

@A D or very poor families in areas that are plagued by racism and underlying privilege benefiting white people and only white people.

[@Useernaamee]

@Kevin Richards ahh glad to hear you as a white male (assuming but actually pretty obvious because of the privilege in your tone) speak out about the situation, issues and circumstances of a group you don't belong to. It's not about access to information but actually about the system and underlying racism, that part was partially true. Watch the video. Listen to the other people that are telling you from inside the group you talk about and stop talking for people you don't belong to if you don't wanna empower their voices. You are actually sadly part of the problem. Discrediting people while having no Idea what their life is like is pretty low.

[@benverzijlbergen2968]

@@Useernaamee Asuming race and gender based on statements? Man, you are discriminating so hard, that even if you are right, you deserve your picture next to the definition in the dictionary. Which is pretty neat, since you'd be the only entry with a picture.. Still what really bakes the cake is your last sentence there.. Disregarding blah blah blah? You did exacly that, hypocrit. Yes, that word is also in the dictionary. Look it up - no picture though. Yet.

[@deepikachandra7857]

Love this! Her voice at the start was absolutely beautiful!!!!

[@genzcurmudgeon8037]

They’re not body shaming her. They don’t want her to feel shame about her body they want her to love her body and stop abusing it. It comes from a compassionate place I assure you. People with abs just want everyone to have them. We don’t hate you lol

[@pinklemonade7341]

True!

[@asura8495]

you tell people smoking or taking drugs isnt healthy, just as you tell them being morbidly obese isnt healthy. it's already in the name. they say it because the want people to live and be well, not to shame them

[@redireseFM]

Wooow Billie holiday!!

[@MissUnderstoodasAlways]

She’s beautiful.

[@glitterfucsia9048]

kind gentlemen of tedx talks please insert the subtitles in the main languages ​​(also italian). in this way we can all follow you on Android phones that do not translate if it is not the owner of the video that allows this. thank you very much.

[@waynewatanabe2207]

Seems like there’s a physical cost too

[@melanatedcelestial7983]

Wym?

[@WhtsTheSZN]

😳

[@Daalchemist7000_]

It is, bad mental health plays out onto the physical. Some people cope with food, drugs, binge watching, laziness.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

No one will ever truly be free until *all* are free.

[@darkinside2203]

It's ridiculous how the world progressed and evolved and yet it still differentiate based on race, hideous

[@kevinm8865]

It's not simply "race". It's bias in general that is the root of the problem. Bias against another that leads to a system of oppression, either intentional or not. Bias is unavoidable, but acting on the bias is not.

[@tihomidahg2991]

Kevin M is it bias or a superiority complex amongst certain groups ?

[@benverzijlbergen2968]

@@tihomidahg2991 thinking the problem lies with other groups is biased in itself.. So I think you just answered yourself there.

[@kevinm8865]

@@tihomidahg2991 I say bias that may feed into a superiority complex over tbose the group is biased against.

[@tihomidahg2991]

Ben Verzijlbergen oh ok i get it now.

[@ellaaa812]

Thank you for speaking out. And I love your voice in the beginning of the video. So soft and beautiful ❤

[@agoldenheart7507]

And I don't think his voice is as beautiful as you look 😊😊

[@0ihatetrolls01]

@@agoldenheart7507 simp

[@bittersweetinfinity2911]

I started crying when she started to sing again. It is a big difference between the truth being told and the truth being told and actually heard.

[@hirokokawano584]

Powerful talk.

[@lindsaynicholson2153]

Opportunity separation is real. 💔

[@marytaylor2419]

She said it all!!!

[@i.balcazar2500]

This is the answer to feelings, the art of story telling. Breath taking.thanks Monica 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

[@thelauramillershow5651]

Beautiful and truth

[@joshuatree9845]

She is beautiful inside and out

[@cherylmorton2883]

YOU, BILLIE,THE SONG, THE POETRY, THE SOUL . A'SHE.

[@BooDotBoo]

Not even going to look at comments because whenever something deals with race, it’s bad. But great video! 🙏🏽

[@lionsingh18]

From the UK , we are with you all the way

[@emmcatherine1460]

I am white on the out side of my skin, however I am many colours in my heart. God knows our time will come when truth and justice will win .

[@reginadavis1028]

PHENOMENAL my sista!! And is it just me or does her talking voice sound very similar to Jill Scott?

[@ednaamck3831]

Thanks for posting.

[@kennethporst4359]

Thank you father for truth and loving us each and everyday we are your sons and daughters and this world has NO power over us Amen

[@loveheals6184]

That baby's question at 9:13-9:20 just did something to me. 💔 We've been through & go through so much.

[@annablattler2556]

This women is such a brilliant talker. She had me hooked right away. Thank you so much Monica for this amazing TEDtalk❤

[@judyfrazier3116]

Outstanding! ❣

[@1Jason]

Hahaha, they go through and erase all the negative comments every day. That's so weak

[@jamesmoten7222]

Powerful words of Truth

[@agnescampbell7692]

Powerful 🔥

[@johndasilva2686]

Well said young lady. How about moving to the caribbean , its not perfect but it is 100% better than the USA. Saint lucia a really nice place .

[@z4c4p4]

One of the best TED Talks I’ve seen/listened to.

[@MissUnderstoodasAlways]

That voice 💕🙏🏽

[@melinaj6077]

Best TEDTALK I have ever seen, undoubtly, it is so majestic I cannot describe with words. Thanks so much Monica!

[@humblesoul2547]

Great Commentary Video Monica🌷

[@longshotny]

Pic-A-Nig🤯 This words origins most people have no clue!... But this Ted Talk 💪🏿💪🏿 Outstanding job. thanks

[@helloimego6358]

PREACH!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@lajoycemorales7634]

Epic!

[@doniahammad7161]

⁦❤️⁩⁦❤️⁩

[@indyd9322]

Heartbreaking

[@xingraphix9867]

i love her period

[@iamHispen]

The laugh when she said she loved the cafeteria ladies speaks volumes.

[@weirman88]

Perfect timing with the release of the video

[@davosholdos1253]

Now that civil and all

[@enderhugo]

I watched this and I got chills I had to resist the urge to cry I can't describe what I felt and then, when I finished watching I read the comments and now I feel shame I feel disappointment

[@JK_JK_JK_JK]

They call it White Guilt!!! 🙄

[@mariajohansson1186]

Not going to lie I cryed like a baby at the end, how anyone can remain unmoved buy this is tragic, not surprising but tragic

[@carloscjr23]

Propaganda only moves the weak minds.

[@CynicalDad81]

Carlos Juarez Savage! But true. 😏

[@God-qi1fr]

Ngl I heard that song in school and I love it even though it has a dark meaning

[@TonyMontana-hf3gt]

The blacks from Africa and Caribbean are doing well here in the states. Good jobs, nice houses, families together.........why cant we have the same level of prosperity and decency like them

[@Amy-wo1sr]

We talk about these things too behind close doors.

[@moniqueloomis9772]

That's a lie and an overgeneralization from the Myth of the Minority Playlist.

[@noExcuseForRacism]

Let’s be honest Not Most of them but some of them are doing well. Many come from these areas a struggle and face even more racism in the states. Let’s quit playing the minorities against one another. This is systemic and bigger than feelings

[@nickiepodcast9935]

I truly needed to hear this as a Psychology graduate and feeling overwhelmed and pressured to do something or everything at once with post graduate life. I have definitely been feeling overoverwhelmed especially with my own Podcast called "Simply Nickie Podcast " on anchorfm, Spotify , Google and Apple Podcast. I talk about mental health awareness, self care and love journey, etc. Even I too get overwhelmed and your video made me feel heard and seen. Thank you for this

[@moderndayempire1627]

I like to keep things simple, everyone should have the same opportunity towards equality and law. It is important for us humans to perceive different perspectives and listen to those people that are different from us, hear their stories and problems, react with compassion and do our part, each and every single one of us. Look inside see how this makes you feel, see how the news makes you feel, gather your own information don't just trust one source.

[@minimalist5930]

it stirs up emotions 😢 Sad truth, racism against all race needs to end.

[@arianeed8439]

Le racisme est un fait et il ne disparaîtra pas pour l’instant surtout si les discours sont toujours les mêmes.. oui c mal,oui c injuste mais oui c humain. Les gens ne s’aiment pas, il faut le dire. Les etres humains se détestent entre eux sauf exception . Voilà acceptez qui vous êtes et essayez de changer si cela vous déplaît sinon attendons ensemble que tout cela s’arrange avec la maturité ... Ariane,mère célibataire d’un garçon métis . J’ai changé de région pour protéger mon fils du racisme.Cela à très bien réussi ..ici ça va bien 🙏❤️🙏👍🏽🧘‍♂️

[@makymadibasylla7316]

Ceux qui doivent changer sont ceux qui sont malades. Le racisme est une maladie. Quand on naît dans la haine depuis plusieurs générations cela fait partie intégrante de son ADN.

[@mrew7345]

Hallelujah!

[@knowledgewithftitim9753]

Needed to hear this

[@jackielawlor5986]

So incredibly powerful and hard to hear. I am learning..

[@tonrobert3391]

I guess so

[@alternativearchival5379]

Chills

[@MagathasDarkCorner]

beatiful storytelling and singing talent, voice ripe with truth. thank you.

[@RahTru]

✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@burnersforhim]

shirley

[@MetaLavish]

Big Shirley

[@tybrown32tb]

This was beautiful

[@orphanagehomemotherlesschi5554]

orphanage motherless home support this orphanage as you support this orphanage the Lord will bless you with all your need anything that you need in your life the Lord will give it to you as you support the Lord will bless your business the Lord will bless you and bless your family the Lord will protect you and your family and you can message them with this number 2349157547182 or call them.. be bless

[@sdseals2076]

Thank you, sista.

[@patritshasanchez2205]

Bread

[@jeffcoleman1006]

What about men?

[@lakicia30]

wow 😢

[@millyjohnson1741]

When the white girl said "I don't know if you'll be my mammy too" GAVE ME CHILLS

[@Semper_Iratus]

Comments never disappoints.

[@JK_JK_JK_JK]

Yeah IKR! 😏

[@uditshakya7305]

And Even of they do, you've got a chance to make it better ✌️🙌

[@Useernaamee]

Your grammar disappoints too but we don't wanna generalize, do we? ;)

[@Nanashdaya]

Enjoying what others too enjoy should be everyone's right. Great talk

[@nisha8893]

❤️❤️❤️

[@AmericaineParis]

Thank you for sharing your story! So important for our stories to be told and heard. I see you.

[@joerivera6011]

Excellent!!👍🏼🙏🏼

[@Vayhef]

Imagine being subbed to a channel that advocates open-mindedness only to whine when serious social matters are touched upon. Seriously. Everytime there is some kind of racial talk or even racial representation in a Ted Talk, the dislikes are unconfortably high. If you think someone coming up on a crowded stage to share their life story to millions of people is asinine SJW stuff, you may seriously want to reflect on yourselves. And yeah, I get that technical innovations are a huge part of this channel too, which you might have primarily subbed for ; but let me remind you that technologies mainly aim to get humanity to a better place. With that goal in mind, the "SJW Ted Talks" are resolutely as relevant as their counterpart.

[@jacozard]

Amen, could not have said it better myself. This only stimulates further polarisation between people in my opinion.

[@macktheripper7454]

I agree if all voices are represented. Sadly they aren’t. By denying some Ted as an organisation loses respect and authority. I have zero problems with anyone voicing their opinion. I have a huge issue with only x y or z opinions being deemed worth of listening to.

[@justine8558]

beautifully said

[@LiliumPetal]

@Kevin Richards What?? So being invited to speak at a TED talk - which btw has had an entire talk on city flags - that means you can't have possibly experienced racism in your life? You need to go watch Daryl Davis speak.

[@mitesine]

@@LiliumPetal I think he was bring sarcastic

[@DrCash7]

Moo

[@Barmella]

it sucks..... very weird because of a skin tone many tanning to get

[@glamazini]

My God.

[@Fulani03]

What a great and powerful presentation. Thank you, Ms. Johnson, for speaking the truth.

[@ekoyal_gemu4446]

How can people be equal when diet alone determines how long you'll last.

[@noExcuseForRacism]

No diet alone does not determine how long you last. My friend was into Cross Fit and keto and he is dead now.

[@ksager123]

@@noExcuseForRacism lies. Dummy

[@josieferraris2553]

Thank you and posted Facebook and Twitter. One day ...

[@leij4247]

I liked the video before I completed it because I wanted to and I can 🙂

[@brendarua01]

Lovely and enlightening. Thank you.

[@evelynpfriem8499]

What a voice!!

[@froggygirl999]

Beautiful talk ❤️

[@nathaliediaz2102]

So cool!

[@JalapaMirabilis]

Great!!! I just insist on this: Stop saying America to the North part of a whole continent.

[@nos5915]

You're forgetting Canada

[@amyp.575]

It's literally named north America LOL

[@JalapaMirabilis]

@@nos5915 I'm not, they're. I mean, it's just one country out of dozens in a a vast continent. Also, Noth America includes The U.S.A, Canada and Mexico, plus some islands.

[@JalapaMirabilis]

@Mean Timbits I don't see the purpose of your comment.

[@NiekaRichard]

This is great! I love how she’s telling her story. By the way, try not to interact with the negative commentators. They hate themselves and will do anything for your attention.

[@rajansh213]

Truth that is important to be accepted . Hope so people can truly live with equality one day.

[@ayeshapyesha7301]

Factsss xxxx

[@ellaaa812]

You are so right!

[@philipperlacher4507]

So you discard other opinions without even listening to them just because they differ from your point of view? So you are absolutely right and other are just jelous and craving for attention? Its because of people like you that these movements have no credibility and are thougt of as jokes

[@NiekaRichard]

Philipp Erlacher There you go. Doing it again. I’m commenting on your very special little paragraph. Happy? Would you like an applause or a gold star? Here’s both. 👏🏽⭐️

[@partingalano]

Go to the gym ma'am

[@OswellMusic]

I wonder what Oprah would say about this

[@korenisme]

Amazing

[@deidrekellogg9100]

Wow. Just wow. Thank you.

[@Onabeaudire]

I got hypnotised by her speech

[@ilovetrentinoslowlifeitaly]

Amazing voice. Thank you so much for talking of this argument. Lovely watching and listening to you here on the top of Italian mountain.