United States of Understanding by Chianna

United States of Understanding by Chianna - July 2017 Scholarship Essay

TED talks are speeches given with intent to educate an audience. Something that needs to be addressed is the noticeable lack of unity that this country suffers from. The United States may be one country under all, but it is not united.
If I were to give a ted talk about the issue of the country’s division I would mention all the things that divide it. The differing political views, the religions, the races and the social/economic classes are all things that contribute to nation’s cracks which are slowly seem to only increase. When it comes to political views in the nation, many people are extremely adamant about their particular views. So during the part of the speech which addresses this fact, I would be sure to mention that the more aggressive one becomes about their beliefs, the less space is left for understanding. Next I would apply this to the following topics, because simplified, that is basically where many issues lay; a lack of understanding. When it comes to the different religions and races that are present in the United States, many people lack the basic understanding that would nurture the respect and appreciation which would allow this culture to grow together, instead of apart. Also I would stress that the different social and economic classes in the United States will always exist as long as we maintain our capitalist policies. Therefore, since as a nation we have not changed this policy we must adhere to it the best we can. Treating people with kindness and sympathy will create bridges. This will allow those who have been dealt an unfortunate hand to experience an environment which can help them thrive. Using these points, I would introduce to the audience the issues and I even presented some underlying solutions which explain how these issues which divide our culture come into play.
Yet, as you, the reader, and the audience may be questioning; why is it important for the United States to be, in fact, united? The answers are certainly those which some may call too idealistic. Yet they are as real as making simple every day changes to your life. There are multiple reasons why people should go the extra mile and improve their understanding of one another and create more compassion. The simple reason is because it would improve the quality of life for everyone here. The deeper reason follows. By offering others a chance to be understood, the citizens of the United States can become more unified through a lack of ignorance which some may argue exists today.
Imagine being able to go to family reunions, and not have to step on your tip toes when politics are brought up. Instead they could be openly spoken about and not only would people peacefully express their viewpoints, but they can walk away with a deeper understanding of how the world works according to others. Or perhaps instead of feeling this inadequate fear of foreigners, our lives can be enriched by learning another’s culture. People all of a sudden, if they chose to instill curiosity where their fear had once lived would become more open to making more connections with the people around them. Speaking from a minority’s point of view, maybe being the “only person of color” or the “only kid at school with the weird lunch” would not have such a negative connotation if the people around them would offer basic respect and appreciation; something all humans deserve. If the people of the United States offered more than the wrinkled dollars in their pocket to the poor- where would those people be right now? Surely a good number of them would not be on the streets, but instead providing for the community they live in.
So why entail all these points into my TED talk? The reason is because I feel passionately about this subject. The United States is a nation built on the promises of acceptance and safety yet as the days continue this ideal seems to travel further and further away. Being an immigrant I understand what the United States stands for. Being here had given me the opportunity to create a better life. As what some would consider an expression of gratitude, I would like to now give back to my country. Since the United States enriched my life, I would want to show my audience how to enrich theirs. Not only do I feel passionately about this topic, I feel it is necessary for us as a nation to come together. The space that is in between political views, religions, races and classes is not too far for us to be the United States, but they are too far for us to be a state, united.
Also while I understand that the nation where everyone is accepted, understood and offered compassion is far too idealistic for humans to achieve presently, I do have hope for a better future. Therefore as a speaker, I would understand that my speech would not fix the problems, but I would hope that my TED talk would offer light on a problem that many would rather keep in the dark.