'We the People' - the three most misunderstood words in US history | Mark Charles | TEDxTysons

One of the most powerful explanations of the issue I've ever seen or heard. Truly heartbreaking, but so very necessary. Thank you.

That is amazingly powerful medicine...one that turns experiences of cruelty and hatred into actions of love and kindness! Awe inspiring!

Amazing :.) This made me so emotional. As a fellow Native American, I am proud of this man. Stay strong as we stay strong with you. Voices will be loud, voices will be heard.

Finally, someone has put into words the plain TRUTH. Like St. Augustine said years ago: "Truth is like a lion, you don't have to defend it, it will defend itself." Thanks to Mark Charles to let the truth out.

Thank you. Mark. For the benefit of the human race, let’s set aside our prejudice and misconstrued ideologies. Together we live, divided we perish.

This is one of the most remarkable speeches I have heard in years ... and I have been teaching, coaching, and judging public speeches in Japan for over 30 years. Earlier this year, I finished my third stint as a volunteer preliminary judge for Tokyo University's All Japan English Speech Contest ... wrote over 150,000 words of comments for the 51 semi-finalists. One thing that bothers me about speech contests is the zero-sum game mentality which underlies your moral thrust. The kids, and adults alike, are so busy thinking of how to win, or even game the system to guarantee recognition ... that with a few exceptions, the single most common problem with those speeches is the lack of fit between what they say, and what they do, their obsession with a winning form takes precedence over any earnest real-world, problem-solving ideals they profess. And in so doing, an otherwise good speech is reduced to a charisma-slick sales pitch. What you said, and how you said it, shook me to the bone. I have already begun sharing your speech with students and adults here in Japan, and had I not resigned from a tenured position at a Japanese college for institutionally sanctioned racism, I would love to have been in a position to invite you to Japan to give a speech or teach a course, to teach us a thing or two about what 'we the people' really mean. Well done, Mark Charles.   Will be keeping an eye on you, and inviting many in Japan to do the same.

I don't often comment on YouTube videos, for this one, I will make an exception. All of what he related is absolutely true without one shred of doubt. Throughout my life, I have faced racism and discrimination countless times. I find myself wondering why people that enslaved people that looked like me are held as the proud founding fathers of our country. The reason this is true is because of what, Mr. Charles spoke about in this video. It's all True! The sad thing is that it is very doubtful that it will ever be reconciled in my lifetime. I've always know that when our Founding Fathers, wrote "We the People" They weren't talking about me or my Native American brothers and sisters. Or women in general.

I wish this TED Talk could be used in its entirety in high school history classes. This well-crafted thesis is the best explanation for the PRESENT situation in the United States that I have ever heard. This would be a great discussion starter, and I believe most people would find a way to relate to it, to see themselves in history. The single page mentioning Native Americans in my high school history class was about how the U.S. Cavalry finally captured the savage Geronimo and was able to protect white settlers. WE HAVE TO DO BETTER!

Thank you Mark! This was so good to hear and deepen my understanding of the native struggle. We are taught only surface level things in all mainstream schools, and even as a kid I remember thinking “this is bs. we took their land and killed them off and put them in camps. That’s the bottom line.” What hit me the hardest was when you said we can not be a community when we do not share a common past. This is something I have been pondering for so long about America, and you just answered the question so beautifully. We all need to hear this and listen to this, and find a way to build bridges that will heal our past.

Who is this amazing orator? One of the best, most articulate speeches I have ever heard. When someone knows their material so well and can explain it to this level, then that person is a born leader.

Watched this for American Literature, the fact that the natives wern't even counted as people pissed me off. they were just "occupants of the land before discovery" makes me have an even stronger hate towards Columbus day. We need to remove the "holiday"

This whole country needs to truly confess it's sin of pride and repent and walk in humility.

Mr Charles is amazing and he speaks the truth. It is time that the US looked at what has been done to the Indigenous people and make amends to right the wrong.

All the People. Yes.Also honoring All my Relations of all living beings on this planet.

This is the most unforgettable, powerful, gripping, and important TedTalk I have ever heard.

Thank you sir for that impressive speech. I used these three words in a comment I made earlier on yt. Thank you for enlighten me from where the words "we the people.." actually stands for. I may have misused them, but non-intentionaly, more out of ignorance and idealism from my part. I do hope that these three words get that inclusive meaning as in ..ALL people. I do hope that the people of america, can find a common ground, in fighting racism, predjudice, hatred and become a better society.

Thank you sir. So much information. I am from the Cree Nation in northern British Columbia, Canada.

It is definitely a conversation that needs to be had...humanity, as a whole, needs the "truth" to be told to them.

One of the best Ted Talks, thank you

That was one galvanizing talk. Goosebumps. Thank you, sir!