The power of pride: George Takei at TEDxKyoto
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 มิ.ย. 2014
- This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. George Takei draws his inspiration and strength from one of the darkest chapters of American history: the World War II uprooting and incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese-American citizens.
Recalling his childhood spent behind the barbed wire of America's concentration camps, Mr. Takei reveals his life-long journey from bitter confusion to an impassioned admiration and pride in his fellow Japanese-Americans and his country that encompasses and celebrates us all.
For actors projected onto a movie screen, or performing upon stage, the audience sees only the barest sliver of the real person inside the performer. By the time George Takei stepped in front of a television camera for the first time at the age of 22, he had already endured challenges that his audiences would never have been able to guess, much less truly comprehend. After a childhood spent behind the barbed wire of United States internment camps, placed there simply for the face he wore, George Takei nurtured-and fulfilled many, many times over-the dream of becoming an actor on television, in movies and on stage in a career that spans five decades. And with this dream arose so many others, including his vital work as a political activist, social commentator, author and powerful internet presence. Each dream is individually inspiring, collectively leading George boldly to go where few, if any, have gone before.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
"He told me that our democracy is a people's democracy and it can be as great as a people can be but it is also as fallible as people are. He told me that American democracy is widely dependant on people who cherish the ideals of our system and actively engage in the process of making our democracy work."
Just so everyone knows, Mr. Takei has three TED and TEDx talks on TH-cam. They're all worth watching.
I think this one is on the TED channel with the title "Why I Love a Country That Once Betrayed Me."
This is soul crushing & inspiring all at the same time.
This is heartbreaking. Great speech.
This was so eloquently spoken. I was truly moved by his speech.
Mhehe
I love you, Uncle George.
I dont understand how you held that speach George without crying. I'm sitting in tears at the moment, just felt with anger that people can treat each other like this. I know the story of the 442nd and they are my heroes as well.
Mr. Takei is a great man. Thank God we have him.
And who's the one jerk that gave this a thumbs down?
Inspiring. Beautiful. Moving.
I love you George, live long and prosper Captain.
Alessandro B captain? you mean Captain Kirk? Takei was just a navigator on the bridge or whatever he did. Dosen't matter noone noticed.
@@hedegaard8 I really liked his comic book on hoopla.
Thank you uncle George. None of this is in our history books at school (In Europe at least) and it is so sad.
This whole speech is truly brilliant, but what he said at 8:32 was so profound, his father was a wise man. Those words were the truth, if ever I have heard it.
This speech moved me to the core.
I as well. Every american should strive to be as patriotic as the 442nd
His tale is shocking, yet from it I have never been more inspired. I am incredibly proud to be represented as an American by this man.
Oh this is so awesome. I was just thinking today, how Star Trek, because of the ideals put forth in the show, was the breakout point for me… I really came to believe that we should be responsible to the whole, no matter the differences... it was my inspiration... growing up. It opened my mind to tolerance of others, who are different than I am. When I found out my father was gay, in my late teens, I was ashamed of what I had no second thought of before, prejudice, and hell fire, as my mother’s family was southern Baptist. I know my Daddy was a good man. He suffered because he tried to be what the world wanted him to be, a soldier, a husband, a father, and a provider. I experienced so much personal growth knowing that the world judging him was wrong… Mr. Takei, thank you for this amazing uplifting remembrance of your past. We must learn from the fears of yesterday not to form prejudice today... America is not a perfect nation… far from it.. BUT in America we each have the opportunity to learn as much as we can, be as stupid as we wish, find our own path, speak out no matter our frame of mind, even if it is in ignorance, and go freely to any place we choose to strive for… I think we MUST remember our own intolerance, in the past. I am humbled by the reality of the numbers of people who would give up everything to be a citizen of the United States of America, still, though we are still a young and sometimes faltering country…. We must learn from the fear we let grip us, become better and smarter, respect the right of others to think differently than we do, take this as the founding fathers strength, and go where no Man has gone before…. To a world united without prejudice based on race, religion, creed or individualism…. Be it weight, sexual preference, or mental illness. God Bless America!
George Takei 2016!
I love you George. I hope there will be enough like you to see us through!
What a fantastic, moving speech by Mr. Takei! 719 likes, 1 dislike. Just another example of how he wins the Internet.
I've never heard of that battle. Why not??! I have heard of the 442nd, the most decorated unit in WWII. Uncle George, you are not 'Japanese American,' nor are you 'gay;' you are American. And you are beloved! You are my hero ❤️.
Being gay and Japanese American aren't mutually exclusive with being American but anyway...
George, you're a great American but also a great Human and a great Uncle !
This is incredible! We need to teach this in schools. I've never been taught about the accomplishments of Japanese-Americans nor that of Asian Americans either. Their history needs to be taught!
Yes this country has let many people down, over and over again.
George Takei should be president.
Incredible speech. Extremely heartbreaking. I, along with millions of other people, love and respect you immensly, Uncle George. What I would give to shake your hand some day..
Great Ted Talk. I can't imagine how far Mr. Takei has come - and I hope my world can take me at least half that far.
this is a very understanding speech from Mr Takei thank you George for this you have opened my eyes to what had happened during those dark days during the second World War .
This is a Great Share Heath ..My regarrds to Becky ! !
Z
Very moving! Semper Exploro!
Thank you Mr. Takei, I appreciate the hardships you endured, and I appreciate the faith you show in other Americans. I would be honored to follow you on your path to true equality.
Fantastic talk. We love you, Uncle George!
He has a beautiful heart and a wise soul
I so love the way he talks!
My apologies, I was too busy educating college students as an English professor who majored in journalism so I wasn't able to notice your very eloquent reply. Coming from someone who exists in anonymity and pretty sure did NOT pay attention to George Takei's topic? Kindly do a personal body check, you might be missing a ball or two down there.
I may not be gay, but I do support the LGBT community from morons such as yourself. Oh, and if you're going to insult me, could you please use the English language properly? Your lack of brain is kind of obvious.
Mae Apostadero what type of a college professor replies with 2 paragraphs to a TH-cam comment? English professor my ass
What a story. Very inspired by this.
Loved how he was so relatable to so many, sad story but very uplifting, many considered him an Anasazi American. 👍🏽👍🏽
Life it's challenge with risk an reward
For whom accept it an get on board
Accept that risk is not to be ignored
Question is Is it a risk you can afford
If it is your very own pride is restored
I traveled with you're story ✨️
After hearing this man speak about his troubled childhood with such pride, seemingly holding no contempt nor anger, I can only say one thing.
*OH MY*
I believe he must feel some anger for what happened
I was going to say I was shocked to see an actual good and thought provoking Ted Talk again but realized this was 8 years ago.
great story
Made me teary eyed :) LLAP
This should be shared more
Beautiful ♡
Please make Japanese subtitles for this so that I can share it with my Japanese friends in Kyoto who were not able to attend this lecture!
Why don't you learn English
Very moving. When he mentioned the Japanese-Americans coming straight out of the prison camp and into the uniforms of the guards it made me think of Stockholm Syndrome though.
Wow, what a beautiful ,wise Man. What you've been through.. 😘
Mr. Takei--I am so moved by your words, and by your ongoing willingness to stand and speak for what you know is right and just. You are one of people that makes me appreciate humanity despite the overwhelming evidence of its weaknesses. Bravo, sir.
Imagine listening to a man who's held a petty drudge for 50 years talk about pride.
Sir, We share the same birthday :) April 20th. ありがとございます。
god bless the 442nd, one of the most decorated units in the war.
hOLY fuckin shit, that's an incredible story. George, write a book please!
Fuck, George Takei is born on 4/20
Could this be done again?
This man deserves nothing less than everyone's unquestioned respect.
Procrastinating has never been more fruitful
The internment camps of WW2 are an often forgotten part of our history as they exemplify another time that the American government decided that non-whites represented a threat to what is perceived as "manifest destiny". This is a recurring theme in a country that touts itself as the best and most free in the world...except when. Yet another irony of WW2 was found in the treatment of blacks and other minorities compared to white, European prisoners. The captured Germans found themselves sent to the midwest working on farms and were given the same treatment as other whites while blacks were required to use segregated facilities. Probably the most dangerous concept in our flawed human sociological structures is that there is a difference between equal and less equal. War is immoral, it appeals to the worst our species can do. Yet we continue to engage and kill one another from decade to decade, century to century. Even the most free country in the world is not immune to the hatred and destruction of war.
Few have taken time to view this speech, few have taken the time to read Takei's books on what happened to him and his family. If we cannot rely on history to guide us we will continue to make the same mistakes.
until George chose to openly discuss this topic, i had no idea that the bombing of pearl harbor caused this. this is one of the darkest hours of the USAs past.
George Takei, does have a massive point. Iva Toguri ( aka: Tokyo Rose) even helped American POW's in Japanese camps and risk her life doing this, she also gave away the positions of Japanese Troops on Japanese Propaganda Broadcasts in the Pacific . When she returned to the United States she was branded an enemy, charged as one, even when the US government had no evidence against her, and spent up too 1977 in jail for a crime she did not even committed and it was because of who she was.
Why did he give this inspiring talk in Kyoto?
Why not?
Maz Hender He clearly caught himself a few times, remembering that he was not in the states at the time; for example, changing "came to America" to "went to America", etc. At the end, as was caught up in the monologue, that came through even more. I was just wondering, in all the times he has given this (and I have heard it before) why was the TEDxKyoto the one that went up? What does this have to do with Japanese in Japan? It is about being an American. No insult or slight intended, I am just curious, why here?
I don't think that's a question the ordinary person on youtube can answer, mate. Only Ted and George himself.
I see what you're saying though. I suppose there was probably an international audience! And he was probably asked to do it.
I am neither an American person nor a Japanese person, and I still found this inspiring, interesting and relevant. SO perhaps they thought that might be the case here? :)
Maz Hender Fair enough, was just wondering "aloud" as it were.
George Takei accompanied by his husband Brad was on a speaking tour for the Department of State in Korea and Japan … he had events in Okinawa, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo and Sendai … our consulate in Osaka has worked together with TEDxKyoto on several programs and they were eager to feature Mr. Takei who gave a brilliant and well received talk … he represented the American people eloquently on this speaking tour, we should all be tremendously proud … best regards from western Japan …
He is rich now.
New Frontier.....
I'm ashamed at what america has done and to be an american.
George Takaii may speak elegantly but does he know Jesus.That what trually matters Eternity is a long time.
Amazing story of the 442nd, brave and loyal Americans, people should know that the internment camps weren’t unwarranted though, to describe it like “put in camps just because the way they looked is a baseless dramatization.” The reason people believe this hooey is because people are uninformed.
Japanese Americans did turned on other Americans a few days after Pearl Harbor.. so yeah, it was justified, President’s main role is to protect Americans.
Look up Nihau incident and you will learn what I am talking about.
Don't forget. This is the guy that wishes Ukraine had American gun laws.
41
Pride will take you straight to hell people...humble your selves and love all people and obey God and worship him in love
methanoic80 modesty, being humble, being prideful are all different things. There is no so such thing as being to prideful unless you have a false pride. And there is no such thing as being too confident, unless you become unteacheable.
I'm not trying to speak down to you, or be matter of fact, I just think alot of things get lost in translation and we tend to misenterpreted things sometimes.
The power of the chip on the shoulder
The power of a chip on the shoulder