Poetry Slam Champion | Clint Smith | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Spoken word poet Clint Smith discusses social justice, activism, and the power of storytelling in creating change.

Transcript

MALE SPEAKER: I met Clint after a TED talk that he gave a few weeks ago. I found the talk incredibly touching. I have young children. They are 13 and 15. And it reminded me, again, how much we have to go as a country in truly creating an environment where kids could be kids, and we all just had a world in which we were judged by our actions. And th... Read More

Key Insights

• 👻 Social media democratizes activism and allows for broader engagement.
• 👨‍⚖️ Educating youth about social justice requires a balance of knowledge and empowerment.
• 💱 Companies like Google have a moral obligation to contribute to policy change for the betterment of society.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Clint Smith believe social media and technology impact activism today?

Clint Smith sees social media as a democratizing tool that allows for broader engagement and decentralizes activism.

Q: How does Clint Smith suggest educating youth about social justice without burdening them with the past?

Clint Smith encourages empowering youth with knowledge while also instilling a sense of resilience and self-worth to navigate the challenges they may face.

Q: Does Clint Smith believe companies like Google have a moral obligation to leverage resources for policy change?

Clint Smith argues that companies like Google should consider their ethical and moral obligations to provide data and insights that can inform policy decisions for the betterment of society.

Q: What inspires Clint Smith's activism and poetry?

Clint Smith draws inspiration from personal experiences, the need for social justice, and the desire to challenge systemic oppression through art and storytelling.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Clint Smith shares powerful poetry about racial justice, social activism, and personal experiences.

• He emphasizes the importance of honest conversations, empathy, and educating the youth.

• Smith advocates for using art, social media, and personal interactions to create positive change and challenge systems of oppression.