Both Not Half: How language shapes identity | Jassa Ahluwalia | TEDxChandigarh

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ส.ค. 2020
  • Is he British? Is he a Punjabi? No, he is both. Listen to the powerful story of a man torn between two identities and how he overcame it all. Jassa Ahluwalia is an actor, writer and filmmaker. He came to prominence as loveable badboy Rocky in the hit BBC Three series ‘Some Girls’, followed by starring roles in ‘Ripper Street’ and the internationally acclaimed series ‘Peaky Blinders’.
    ‘Heart’s Ease’, his writer-director debut short film, won two Best Film awards during its festival run, and was an official selection at San Diego International Film Festival and the BAFTA-qualifying London Short Film Festival. It was described by bestselling author Anthony Horowitz as “an accomplished piece of film-making”.
    Jassa’s second short film, ‘Near’, in which he also stars (alongside Olivier nominee Amy Lennox), is currently in postproduction. ‘Ancient Giants’, a documentary short that he produced, exploring deforestation in Chile, recently premiered at the prestigious Kendal Mountain Festival. In addition, he is developing a TV series with his sister Ramanique Ahluwalia, from a script longlisted by the BBC Writersroom.
    Jassa found further recognition in 2019 after his homemade comedy skits went viral on social media. His videos, in which he plays an old Punjabi uncle, were accompanied by his hashtag #BothNotHalf, the distillation of his ideas on mixed heritage experience. This led to Jassa being elected to the Equity Minority Ethnic Members Committee to help lead the fight for better representation in the performing arts.
    Jassa concluded 2019 by hosting the BritAsia Music Awards at the historic Wembley Arena. In the New Year, he will be reprising his role in series 4 of ‘Unforgotten’, starring Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar. 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

ความคิดเห็น • 190

  • @opia1883
    @opia1883 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +61

    "Mixed heritage and one human race". damn, that was rlly powerful - more people need to hear this kind of thinking. ❤

    • @youio9063
      @youio9063 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      but even if we were a different race it would be ok too :)

    • @KR-P
      @KR-P 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      proof that racism is a lie.

  • @matronarona
    @matronarona 3 ปีที่แล้ว +146

    "Mixed heritage". I love that instead of mixed-race.

    • @locke8847
      @locke8847 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Then you'd love legalese

    • @user-jp6me1by7y
      @user-jp6me1by7y 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It doesn't fully explain the term, because you can have mixed heritage from parents of the same race, but from different countries or ethnicities

    • @spidermanbcv7609
      @spidermanbcv7609 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      At school in the 1990s, we always use to say half cast

  • @glendaarado5207
    @glendaarado5207 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    what a beautiful message... "all of us are both of something"...

  • @neerupalhi2042
    @neerupalhi2042 3 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    That Ted talk was fantastic. No matter what our age; we are all on a learning curve. As a second generation British Indian , I can confirm that a lot of our extended family is of mixed heritage. Learning to accept everyone & understanding other cultures is paramount to a happy life. I wish you lots of success & happiness for the future. Wonderful presentation!

  • @garozim362
    @garozim362 3 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    Omg who was expecting Rocky's voice 😱😱😱 hahaha so shook! What an actor 😂❤

  • @davindedhillon6963
    @davindedhillon6963 3 ปีที่แล้ว +46

    Proud of you. Punjabi is a beautiful language. Spot on message. Stay Blessed.

  • @talbino7821
    @talbino7821 19 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Jassi, you're a national treasure! Both for India and the UK. We need more minds like yours in our divided world today. And your punjabi is top notch 👌

  • @rachnabagga2519
    @rachnabagga2519 3 ปีที่แล้ว +48

    Your punjaabiyat is so impressive and your Britishness is shining through too! You have the best of both the worlds and we wish you the best in all your endeavours wherein you can impress and resonate with more gripping talks like this one!

  • @snegaumapathi7817
    @snegaumapathi7817 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    This talk was SO well crafted and just so beautiful!!!!!

  • @Learn-Malayalam
    @Learn-Malayalam 3 ปีที่แล้ว +122

    Really excited to see such a topic discussed on a global platform. This will validate many people's feelings as they grapple with their sense of self and identity

    • @pk6700
      @pk6700 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      As a Canadian Malayalee, I didn't expect to see you hear.

  • @ishroopsinghbirring3787
    @ishroopsinghbirring3787 3 ปีที่แล้ว +76

    Excellent speech and what a brilliant analysis in conclusion. Wonderful message.

  • @balhar2000
    @balhar2000 3 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    My parents are from India, I was born in England and now live in Canada where my children were born. Even having both Indian parents, this resonates so much with growing up in England in the 80s and 90s. And how it felt again after we moved to Canada.

  • @saleemc
    @saleemc 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Mixed Heritage!! Brilliant. Very impressed with your journey.

  • @s.johnson5734
    @s.johnson5734 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This was such a good talk and the perfect time for it too!!! Thank you!!

  • @TheLadyEmerald
    @TheLadyEmerald 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Wow... what he’s saying sounds so familiar. I’ve been feeling lost, disconnected, not fitting into these power labels he’s talking about. Thanks for bringing some confusions to light. Let’s change our thinking or language.

  • @tahoe9354
    @tahoe9354 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank you. It hit a few of my heart strings. I also have similar issues to you but youre making me aim and keep going for the better!!!!

  • @baljeetcarroll8868
    @baljeetcarroll8868 3 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    Love this young man. My children are Both Not Half!!! Thank you for doing this talk Jassa A! ☺🙏😅👍

  • @radhapunn3383
    @radhapunn3383 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Very well spoken and excellent content, thank you for sharing your insight. 🙏🏽

  • @madisonlibby7424
    @madisonlibby7424 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    "I'd been shown the way beyond naivety and nostalgia; I began the pursuit of wisdom." I love this

  • @kaurranjit5969
    @kaurranjit5969 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Speaks from the heart...

  • @singtp
    @singtp 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Wonderful to hear you jassa. How I wish you could reach out to all those Punjabi families who are happily renouncing their Punjabi roots in search of a "better" identity somewhere else.

  • @carmelmillar1212
    @carmelmillar1212 3 ปีที่แล้ว +84

    hugely entertaining with a strongly positive message.

  • @anupedhanday1197
    @anupedhanday1197 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Fantastic message and a great talk, very enjoyable, thank you

  • @hundals1
    @hundals1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I enjoy your skits on social media and your hosting on UKPHA bookclub. So impressed by your being drawn to both cultures and wanting to honour them both. It's something we all face as immigrants and children of immigrants, and you've dealt with it with humour and grace. Well done! Looking forward to much more success for you in the future!

  • @ravinderravi48
    @ravinderravi48 3 ปีที่แล้ว +43

    I was there to witness the event. There were others talks as well, and this was one of the best talks I heard that day. Listening to it felt like watching a mobile but all the scenes in your mind. Well done jassa.

    • @jassaahluwalia9753
      @jassaahluwalia9753 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Thank you for being such a wonderful audience!

    • @ravinderravi48
      @ravinderravi48 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@jassaahluwalia9753 it was not me who was wonderful, but your ability to bind us. Keep shining keep rising 💪

  • @bhavyabhaskar4677
    @bhavyabhaskar4677 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    At first it will look like a delusion
    But then you'll realize it's just a perfect fusion with a strong conclusion.

  • @shabaddeepsingh6577
    @shabaddeepsingh6577 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    This is beautiful. I always say you lose the language you lose the culture. Wadia prah. Proud of you. It’s amazing because Punjabi’s never take even as much pride of their heritage as much as this man. God bless you brother.

  • @asmitagupta8149
    @asmitagupta8149 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Inspirational young man. Well done.

  • @indiahooi7225
    @indiahooi7225 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for this fantastic talk - thoughtful, insightful and entertainingly-delivered! And especially meaningful for those of us with mixed heritage.

  • @jamiestickelmaier5384
    @jamiestickelmaier5384 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Such an important message, and applicable to so many modern predicaments

  • @lastfatethorn4959
    @lastfatethorn4959 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This speech is incredible and it will inspire others

  • @DS-ce7il
    @DS-ce7il 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Something my boy will want to hear about as he's starting his journey

    • @nnanuwa
      @nnanuwa 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      My nephew as well . Sending this to my Brother and his wife

    • @edsilvester
      @edsilvester 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@nnanuwa I sent the link to my kids immediately after watching....

  • @vees_reflections
    @vees_reflections ปีที่แล้ว

    wow. this resonated so hard. both not half and mixed-heritage not mixed-race

  • @baltejsingh3041
    @baltejsingh3041 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I met him at my friend's home at my hometown , he was a sweet child i remember

  • @identity1404
    @identity1404 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wonderful speech so inspiring to many people that speak a foreign language and struggle to embrace two languages.

  • @ghulbadan
    @ghulbadan 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Brilliant insight and a brilliant presentation👏👏👏

  • @vaishalivaidya7978
    @vaishalivaidya7978 ปีที่แล้ว

    An absolutely amazing talk...somewhere reinforcing the idea of this and that...not this or that...either and or...and not necessairly either or OR...
    Even showcasing in what ways are identities are embossed...or maybe the "dents" in the identities are embossed...which makes it both fragile and resilient...fragile because it can be disassembled so easily...and yet resilient...for it can be reassembled, which is how it transforms and evolves.

  • @2inder2hundal
    @2inder2hundal 3 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    Finally. I was waiting for this for a long time.

    • @jassaahluwalia9753
      @jassaahluwalia9753 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Same! Haha.

    • @anmjones
      @anmjones 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jassaahluwalia9753 I second that! Well, I'm not sure entirely how long you've been waiting, but it's been a few months for me at least.

  • @thelionandthebee1933
    @thelionandthebee1933 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you! Fabulous! Great speaker.

  • @inmaibarrondo7938
    @inmaibarrondo7938 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is awesome. Thanks for sharing :)

  • @simranjitsingh8416
    @simranjitsingh8416 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Wonderfully said. More power to you!

  • @aniruddhacdeshmukh
    @aniruddhacdeshmukh 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just amazing 🙋

  • @blitzgoated
    @blitzgoated 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Flipping brilliant 👏

  • @SpeakWritePlayinEnglish
    @SpeakWritePlayinEnglish ปีที่แล้ว

    Wonderfully and well said!

  • @asb1619
    @asb1619 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Bro, I've subscribed. Keep doing what you're doing and you're going to have at least 1 million subscribers.

  • @constantinchatzopoulos
    @constantinchatzopoulos 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Both are one. Never give up.

  • @pagster3127
    @pagster3127 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Absolutely love this ❤️❤️❤️

  • @JaspreetSingh-uh9se
    @JaspreetSingh-uh9se 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Loved it

  • @NinaB1977
    @NinaB1977 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wonderful simply wonderful...
    We are universal there is no divide. I can so relate with you. Sat Sri Akal....we are one.

  • @rubiks6
    @rubiks6 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That was very good. How blessed you are to have both heritages.

  • @MrKBajwa
    @MrKBajwa 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Khush keeta Jay Putr Ji. Rubb lummi hayati de te dhair sariyaaN khushiyaaN de. Ameen

  • @antoniocarlos-wc9tt
    @antoniocarlos-wc9tt 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    He definitely reflected so much on the richness of the two cultural heritages, deepened them with his studies that he ended up possessing a privileged brain and an ability to communicate and entertain that are admirable.

  • @AnitaSingh-ix9px
    @AnitaSingh-ix9px 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love it when he said we are not half nothing we are all something!! Labels allow control, divide and rule!! This is so true!!

  • @susankaur5585
    @susankaur5585 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Jassa...PURE PUNJABI SO POWERFUL JI!
    YOU are you....be proud of yr heritage. # don't solve problems...# problem solve ji🙏🇬🇧😊you can do it. Inner peace and tranquility is vital. Guru ji bless you always. WJKKWJKF
    SABH THAAI HOVAI SAHAAI JI
    So proud of you 💕❤💕🇬🇧🙏🇬🇧

  • @arieswoman824
    @arieswoman824 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Excellent!

  • @rabiak8139
    @rabiak8139 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is beautiful, it's on point :-)

  • @mascottien
    @mascottien 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thank you for your great speech. Your creativity and attitudes are amazing!

    • @jassaahluwalia9753
      @jassaahluwalia9753 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Very kind of you. Thank you.

    • @sawyermaitland
      @sawyermaitland 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jassaahluwalia9753 Not sure if you'll see this, but is there anywhere I can read _Alien Nation_ please❔

  • @kennethdey8730
    @kennethdey8730 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That was very educational. Glad I watched that.

  • @arshhundal1848
    @arshhundal1848 หลายเดือนก่อน

    So nice to hear from you ❤️

  • @shanlovesey2695
    @shanlovesey2695 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing!! Still weird not hearing him as Rocky.

  • @serenadhande
    @serenadhande 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Idk why I just love him, I'd bring him home to my parents

  • @hamoudib5238
    @hamoudib5238 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    He is simply a wise person. ✌🏻👌

  • @narjitmankoo8478
    @narjitmankoo8478 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Superb and thoroughly entertaining Jassa

  • @LonEr4evah
    @LonEr4evah 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    exactly, caught between 2 worlds!
    I feel you! 😍

  • @khalilmahmood
    @khalilmahmood 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Brilliant video, exceptional delivery!!

  • @felixalmeida481
    @felixalmeida481 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Both Not Half= I am Punjabi AND English …. Rather than “I am ‘half’ Punjabi and ‘half’ English’ which sounds degrading.
    In their day the Angrezi referred to Anglo-Indians as “half-castes”, a disparaging term so typical of the racism engendered by colonialism.

  • @simplyredislandgirl
    @simplyredislandgirl 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Very interesting talk!👏👍🙌 Great storytelling!💪😃

  • @aratrikabanerjee9792
    @aratrikabanerjee9792 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    WOW.

  • @charmaineoberoi2213
    @charmaineoberoi2213 23 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Super!! Love this 👌

  • @KhushwantSinghBrar
    @KhushwantSinghBrar 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Positive !!

  • @FiremarshalM1
    @FiremarshalM1 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    He's charming. And will bloom wherever he is planted.

  • @TravelEndleslie
    @TravelEndleslie ปีที่แล้ว

    Amzing story...😀

  • @bernhardkraemer9250
    @bernhardkraemer9250 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    phantastic! and touching me deeply. (2 of my 3 children are German-Japanese; 2 of my 4 grandchildren German-Japanese-Japanese)

  • @BeingGraceDivine
    @BeingGraceDivine ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "both/and is an idea (not a label)"
    "i am mixed heritage... one race."
    "nothing is half anything... all of us are both something."

  • @gurmitkaurtaak375
    @gurmitkaurtaak375 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Enriched Heritage rather than mixed race ....

  • @eattherich9215
    @eattherich9215 2 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Where it not for his "exotic" name, Jassa Ahluwalia could live a totally white life, BUT he is steeped in his family's identity and crucially speaks the language. I am saddened when parents do not teach their children the mother tongue in the mistaken belief that they must be wholly immersive in the adopted country.

  • @commander1suv492
    @commander1suv492 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    this is wild man. My family comes from punjab too but its like i don't like the culture. I just don't fit in, i'm not necessarily concerned by it but when i see stuff like this its kind of like "damn i wish i could be this passionate or intuitive when it comes to where i come from instead so dismissing" but i guess it just is how it is. Great talk though.

  • @joseyusufguillen2278
    @joseyusufguillen2278 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Geat!!

  • @natalyafisher2571
    @natalyafisher2571 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    That was great to watch and really informative! Well done! 🙂

  • @jeansrivastava8178
    @jeansrivastava8178 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Fabulous TED talk with a very powerful message of inclusion for everyone - bravo Jassa Ahluwalia!

  • @documentaryfilmacademy
    @documentaryfilmacademy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Great speech Jassa! Loved it :)

  • @asianhawk069
    @asianhawk069 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great Ted talk. We are one people. no pure race...never was. were are one. Peace🙏🙏🙏

  • @jaschana2850
    @jaschana2850 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow! Your awesome 👏🙌

  • @shama1422sm
    @shama1422sm 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Good job.

  • @ginamann225
    @ginamann225 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Kid you are a true punjabi boy! ❤👍🙏

  • @khusykhaira3412
    @khusykhaira3412 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I was actually born in Australia and when I was in pre primary my friends used to always get confused how I was indian when I was born in Australia.

  • @baliharlehal3118
    @baliharlehal3118 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video

  • @mssramsunker4820
    @mssramsunker4820 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love how Jassa embraces both cultures! Your parents raised you well 🙂Truly beautiful! Wish you well in your endeavours...Blessings from South Africa

  • @jessysaini1
    @jessysaini1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very nice

  • @jasji2913
    @jasji2913 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Fantastic!! Meri kushi bahut hai tehnu suun kai!! Waheguru ji bless you success always 🙏🌹🙏

  • @aliusmanbajwa6422
    @aliusmanbajwa6422 3 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    Can you contribute in saving our language Punjabi? In west punjab we are facing state’s oppression as for as the language is concern.

    • @mehnoordhillon2281
      @mehnoordhillon2281 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Punjab needs independence from Pakistan and India.

    • @arianagandhi2601
      @arianagandhi2601 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@mehnoordhillon2281 Pakistani punjab literally created Pakistan 75% of Pakistani population is in punjab and 99% Muslim so good luck🤨

    • @mehnoordhillon2281
      @mehnoordhillon2281 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Ariana gandhi spread of Wahhabism is going to destroy west Punjab. If they choose to wake up, they can. Otherwise their language and culture will die.

    • @arianagandhi2601
      @arianagandhi2601 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@mehnoordhillon2281 you do know that they are Muslim they are not even punjabi anymore they now speak urdu an Islamic language their culture died hundreds of years ago

    • @mehnoordhillon2281
      @mehnoordhillon2281 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@arianagandhi2601 its dying now. I wouldn't say it died hundred of years ago.

  • @wenvlogs371
    @wenvlogs371 ปีที่แล้ว

    te amo.

  • @meenumahal1017
    @meenumahal1017 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow! Thought provoking and exceptional!!! So proud of you!

  • @taranwavey
    @taranwavey 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is so relatable, I’m literally half Punjabi and half European as well and I have light skin

  • @seekknowledge8663
    @seekknowledge8663 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow, Amazing! 😅

  • @HarpreetSingh-ny6bu
    @HarpreetSingh-ny6bu 13 วันที่ผ่านมา

    What is story ,good job brother

  • @sonialikhari
    @sonialikhari 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Punjab da Gora is...awesome

  • @Handle12456
    @Handle12456 ปีที่แล้ว

    So relatable... Me being from a mix race too

  • @aqbalsandhu1297
    @aqbalsandhu1297 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    You speak chaste Punjabi .I just love this.

  • @spidermanbcv7609
    @spidermanbcv7609 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I think a lot of children of Indian immigrant parents felt the same way, I know I did. We never fully belonged to either country/culture.
    I also grew up in Leicester. Did your grandparents live on Belgrave Road?