Who writes your life story? | Hill Krishnan | TEDxCalPoly

Dr. Hill Krishnan challenges us to think about the labels others have put on us. He encourages us to challenge the labels and stereotypes that obstruct our lives, and to re-design the narratives we want to write.
Dr. Hill Krishnan was born and raised in a small village in South India, into the "Most Backward Caste" known for crime, poverty, and Illiteracy. After receiving his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University in India, he moved to the U.S. and graduated with a Masters in Ergonomics and Biomechanics from New York University. He subsequently earned a Masters in Global Affairs from New York University. He received his PhD in Political Science from Boston University.
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

[@ETHOUSE00001]

I'm proud of you, Dr Hill and I count myself incredibly fortunate to be sitting in your class and receiving directly from the source. What courage you mustered! Behold, what experience you've had!

[@estefany_marlen]

he is my professor this semester for Public Policy! I look forward to it =)

[@jen5sentrypl1]

He is my professor for Political Science. A great man.

[@Mitalpatel2191]

perhaps one of the best Ted talk ever... thank you for sharing your story with us... I am going to write my own life story my life is in my hands God bless you Dr.

[@agkrish]

It takes lot of grit, courage and persistence to break the stereotype. Truly inspirational Dr Hill.

[@Rajagopal3636]

Wonderful and mind blowing. Hugely motivating. Inspiration for all toastmasters. From a fellow toastmasters Queens Best Toastmasters

[@BuddhaLove77]

Thank you !!!! I love this video. I teach a class on Happiness and Love at Brooklyn College in New York City. And I am definitely using this video. Simply amazing!! Dr. Krishnan offers a very compelling approach to life. Indeed the transformation of stories or narratives is one of the key things I stress in my classes and now I have a living example in Dr. Krishnan of courage, compassion and the efficacy of changing one's story and raising one's standards. One can never know how much sharing one's pain and joy can change anothers destiny; all I know is through this video he has changed mine.

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you very much for watching the video and being interested in sharing it to your students. I appreciate the kind words.

[@seamuskirk2853]

To say this man changed my life would be an understatement. I still carry around the folded index card in my wallet that I wrote my life's goals on and have the posit note on my corkboard with the quote by swami. धन्यवाद!

[@uchennakalu3258]

Wooooowwwwww. This is mind blowing. You know, although I live in Nigeria, I think a lot about the caste system in India. I wonder why this existed and the victims allow it without resistance. I now know that someone can and has challenged that system through challenging the stereotype. well done Dr. Hill

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you very much Uchenna Kalu!

[@sundusfaheem256]

Every time i watch one or the other Ted talk to motivate myself, to get inspired, to get recharged, and to be precise i was so much frustrated and demotivated myself before few minutes, but now i am feeling so good after listening to your story. Thank You so much Sir, for the inspiration and fanning that ember deep hidden inside every students like us.

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Good luck turning that ember into a conflagration!!

[@franchescatan1923]

Hill Krishnan is my political science teacher and he is absolutely indescribable, just an amazing human. Just to meet this guy is a bless

[@acediamusic]

That was a really wonderful, thoughtful, powerful and very inspiring speech. You are a great speaker, and you have wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing this message.

[@JKVTrucking007]

My professor 👏👏 I have been told too and I almost cried when i watched this . I created my label also ! thank you professor thank you !

[@joyce7892]

Fantastic talk. Words to think about for sure and he has proven labels are everywhere and we can crush them. Thanks!

[@latanyas6274]

Such an inspiring piece and testament!! The true creed you can do anything you can put your mind to is a relief to know someone who shattered stereotypes daily and the results that came from discipline! Great success story Professor and I'm glad you were presented a platform to share your story.

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you LaTanya!

[@mitchellwellington3210]

This is truly inspiring,it was forward to me by my Brother who mentioned that he knows you personally from graduate school, he is someone that manage time with not one minutes to waste, so just the fact that he sent this speaks volume in terms of his relation to you which carries much similarities, so again, thanks for sharing!!!!

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you! Interesting. What graduate program did your brother met me? What's his name?

[@gumamelaflower7629]

So inspiring..I'm crying.Thank you..I'm from the Philippines..

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

You are welcome!

[@nicodegiorgio576]

So glad I got to see it live. Your story continues to inspire many.

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you very much!

[@myquesttoteach]

this is so motivational, imagine if more students stopped watching TV and studied like they should around the world.

[@KrishnaChaitanya369]

Sir this TED Talk was powerful and inspiring. I wish we had no social evils like Caste and religion in India. They only serve to make our lives miserable and label people based on their ancestors. I come from a Brahmin family but by my 10th standard i understood the biases that go into caste system as we have to fill in our caste for the board exam. I feel bad for the marginalized communities and I detest that govt does nothing to help them but even the upper castes are apathetic to their plights. Please do talk about how casteism and religion are slowing down India's progress. I'm so happy that you proved everyone wrong. As a guy who earned the first job (in an MNC) in my MBA class while all my lecturers said that I might not get a job at all was the greatest achievement of my life just because I proved them all wrong. Only my close friends and my mom believed in me.

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Hello Krishna, Thank you very much for sharing your story of shattering "negative labels." Yes, I wish there were no castes and religions to divide us.

[@thanatatchkittisakdamrong3341]

love this, really thanks.

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you very much!!!

[@healthfuldave5207]

You are a true inspiration! Thank you for sharing.

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you for watching!

[@mdgeshan7731]

Great inspiration speech professor...liked it

[@Messi10947]

beautiful sir...hats off . i agree with others that this is easily one of the best tedx talks and i hope to watch this every day to give me courage to achieve my goals .thank you

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Good luck in bringing all your dreams to reality!

[@Messi10947]

:) thanks

[@subashkannan5310]

Good speech sir

[@fadumoabdi7094]

Thank you so much for this. Your speech really helped me and my situation. I think I can now believe in myself and go far beyond the limit that was placed in front of me. Thank you again. Are there other speeches of yours that are on youtube or other websites that I can listen to? That would be great.

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you. For more short motivation videos just click on my name.

[@thejusvs3653]

It's Really inspirational and now I can see my self how to do my future works make it my own signature in it.

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you and go for your own signature! 👍🏽

[@rawfoodphilosophy7061]

great speech! This video is gonna go viral!

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeyaprakashrajaram]

Dear Hill you are great Catalyst Breaking the Label is not easy but you have come across it and made it. I love your background would like to meet you accept me as your student.

[@santidi6]

FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you very much!!!

[@gailcirillo3294]

so inspiring, love this!

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you for watching!

[@JKVTrucking007]

Great man , respect !❤

[@myquesttoteach]

I love this, "who writes your life story?"

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you very much!

[@myquesttoteach]

listening to this reminds me of how Malcolm X lost his hope to becoming a lawyer from the words of his teacher. Teachers have the power of life and death, hope and misery in their words.

[@isaiah4663]

Powerful

[@dr.hillkrishnan2475]

Thank you very much!

[@myquesttoteach]

developing a blog about two students I mentor that are speaking at TEDXFSCJ Salon and will provide a link to your presentation and will incorporate this in my Educational Technology class I teach at Edward Waters College here in Jacksonville Florida. The class is Educational Technology and Social Media. myquesttoteach.wordpress.com