A child of the state | Lemn Sissay | TEDxHousesofParliament

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  • čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
  • Lemn Sissay is an award winning poet and playwright, He was the first poet to write for the Olympics 2012 and received an MBE from the Queen for Services to Literature. In this talk he recalls his experiences of the care system, the search for his birth family and the insights this has given him.
    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)

Komentáře • 84

  • @sebbysebby8771
    @sebbysebby8771 Před 7 lety +57

    As an Ethiopian so proud to see you!!!!!! you are our hero. you are such an inspiration for lots of people!

  • @ianbutler8776
    @ianbutler8776 Před 3 lety +6

    Powerful advocacy for young people in care. Love is everything and our care system needs to reflect this

  • @sarahfawcett4513
    @sarahfawcett4513 Před 5 lety +23

    I work in the care system and love the unique interactions I have with the young people I work with, while others look for the bad, I always see the good, the musical talent, the resilience, the life skills of these children. I love my job and would not change it for anything...it is a vocation for me not a job.

    • @deb9784
      @deb9784 Před 3 lety +2

      Wonderful to hear! We need more people like you, we really do! Blessings! You can't know how important each interaction is! Each life touched!

  • @marutsega387
    @marutsega387 Před 6 lety +24

    Being an Ethiopian, I'm so proud to see this great performance. Well done!!

  • @ambessashield9360
    @ambessashield9360 Před 9 lety +34

    Just voted in as chancellor of the University of Manchester. Congratulations my brother!

  • @johnhaworth7034
    @johnhaworth7034 Před 3 lety +3

    As a child in care, then going through the adoption proess, and having to 'apply for your files' to unlock your previous life. i can completely understand this.

  • @user-nx6ji9tk8i
    @user-nx6ji9tk8i Před 3 lety +3

    Having just read his book ‘My name is Why’ I cannot understand why only 57 moments listed all these years later. That African saying ‘it takes village to raise a child’ echos his call to us that we all All needed to raise, respond, engage with ‘children in (our ) care’. Thank you Lemn for opening my heart and eyes.

  • @aidenwrenn5342
    @aidenwrenn5342 Před 3 lety +2

    What a wonderful man, children are our most precious resource. All should have the opportunity to take us forward.

  • @eshetiebekele4381
    @eshetiebekele4381 Před 4 lety +3

    Really I am too proud of by your speech Really hero of the world and Hero of ETERNAL ETHIOPIAN POET!!

  • @12nakedtruth
    @12nakedtruth Před 9 lety +13

    Hands down.. he is the greatest poet of the 21st century! I had a chance to meet him yesterday in d.c. and what a humble creature he is! I love his work!

  • @stuartbraggs8579
    @stuartbraggs8579 Před 8 lety +8

    Inspirational you humble me, embarrass me, motivate me, to make a difference what an exceptional journey you have been on - not a bad poet too...

  • @ethio-sol8188
    @ethio-sol8188 Před 3 lety +4

    Amazing speech! A man as successful as Lemn, bringing out his childhood story to learn & inspire people; this is the most tremendous job to do. We honored you brother, Thank you!

  • @nuriaadbella9680
    @nuriaadbella9680 Před 7 lety +24

    I am so proud of you my brother . You achieved your goal well done . You inspires a lot of young people who went through the same path. I just heard your speech it is magnificent and you are a story teller . I am sorry what happened to you in past but, in my opinion , u are a winner , intelligent and bravery man. I am so thrilled to listen ur story
    God bless you my brother
    Keep up the good work!!

  • @azebhadera629
    @azebhadera629 Před 6 lety +5

    The amazing man in the mission to save the children's World.

  • @femylafi
    @femylafi Před 7 lety +10

    The state is the 'child's family'... so true in the sense he said it. Pity they don't treat the children as such. Its my opinion that most are more dysfunctional when leaving care.. Than entering.

  • @marthawalshwalah6445
    @marthawalshwalah6445 Před 2 lety +2

    Thank you for deepening my understanding of the needs of children in care.

  • @emmayardley4053
    @emmayardley4053 Před rokem +2

    absolutely wonderful. training to be a social worker and this has changed my outlook on the care system and how i feel about it, thank-you!

  • @georginafitz81
    @georginafitz81 Před 8 lety +20

    I've never forgot the time when you used to come into our school in old Trafford (old trafford junior school) to do poems n stuff I loved it I've never forgotten that! funny isn't it????

  • @janicewilliams5721
    @janicewilliams5721 Před 7 lety +15

    You are amazing, such an inspiration, a lot resonates with me about child hood abuse, great to see a passionate thriving survivor ❤️️🙏🏽

  • @johngilman7871
    @johngilman7871 Před 3 lety +2

    I still remember vividly the poem you read at the leavers assembly at Leigh c of e high back in 1983. Especially the part about the green hill. Then later in 1986 at the fringe festival in Edinburgh you inspired me then and still inspire me today. A really kind heart and lovely guy

  • @saramoroza-james914
    @saramoroza-james914 Před 3 lety +3

    I've just read your book and hungry for more of your writing and more of your story. Just wonderful x

  • @3first1
    @3first1 Před 7 lety +17

    You r one of a few people who can make me in tear, how emotional!!!!GBU

  • @wilheminaboone1107
    @wilheminaboone1107 Před 2 lety +2

    Outstanding! God bless you!

  • @dawnandy7777
    @dawnandy7777 Před 6 lety +7

    Yes. What can we do for the kids in care now? Especially those that are about to age out of the system? Canada can't find enough people to foster, let alone adopt, the kids that are in the greatest need. There's hardly enough money to even keep track of the little bit of information that was recorded when they were taken into care. Don't ever stop telling your story, or the story of so many kids today.

  • @zebibaseman999
    @zebibaseman999 Před 7 lety +6

    I am so proud of you my brother I know how you feel.

  • @njokimwarumba
    @njokimwarumba Před 3 lety +1

    Let's make it okay for them. Our children. ALL of them.

  • @bettywoldemichael9315
    @bettywoldemichael9315 Před 8 lety +6

    Amazing!!!!!!!!

  • @deb9784
    @deb9784 Před 3 lety +1

    Beautiful! I am so inspired right now! Longing to make a difference! I have nephews who were in the Foster Care system here in the US! I can only hope and pray they can also begin to recognize the beauty that they carry! 🥲 Thanks for being such a living inspiration! 🤗

  • @taliesinmusic
    @taliesinmusic Před 3 lety +2

    amazing figure, brilliant presence, powerful message!

  • @martatcd3287
    @martatcd3287 Před 10 lety +10

    Lemin! Lemin? Lemin..Lemin...Lemin. I love your speach...super hero!

  • @sebbysebby8771
    @sebbysebby8771 Před 7 lety +9

    Oh look at his " lalibela " Cross 😍 !!!

  • @nmariam123
    @nmariam123 Před 7 lety +7

    He knows how to put it,

  • @newoneforcall1675
    @newoneforcall1675 Před 8 měsíci

    I am usually thrilled when I lesson to your speech and poet as an ethiopia.

  • @spelaelizabetapahor9568
    @spelaelizabetapahor9568 Před 3 lety +1

    Haaaaapy hapy birthday!!!!❤

  • @eiffeltower7503
    @eiffeltower7503 Před rokem

    It was a relief to know that you found your family

  • @Kmulat
    @Kmulat Před 6 lety +4

    I AM LITERALLY CRYING

  • @robelstudio
    @robelstudio Před 5 lety +3

    you are such inspiration lemn

  • @keysiawynn5214
    @keysiawynn5214 Před rokem

    I was just so amazed by this. I am also glad that you lived and not survived. God bless you!!!!!

  • @eauhomme
    @eauhomme Před 8 měsíci

    In my state, any child who has spent 6 months or more in foster care after age 13 have a full-ride scholarship to any state community college or university. But the difficulty is getting them there. So many of them, especially those in unstable placements, don't even make it through high school. When their placement changes on a nightly/weekly/even monthly basis, when their placement is over 50 miles/kilometers from their school and their social workers and foster parents cannot get them to school on time consistently, what chance do they have? But even using that scholarship to get a GED is a step up, and helps prevent poverty and multi-generational foster children.

  • @memywa2756
    @memywa2756 Před 7 lety +5

    You are Amazing

  • @GeoffreyPhilp
    @GeoffreyPhilp Před 11 lety +3

    Brilliant!

  • @hailegebreltechanederribsa8926

    amazing lemn

  • @jhondoe1877
    @jhondoe1877 Před 2 lety +1

    Speak your life brother much love god bless you.

  • @vincentsimpson6512
    @vincentsimpson6512 Před 10 lety +5

    Saw you at TEDxSalford, you were just a good then

  • @LilyGirma
    @LilyGirma Před 4 lety +2

    Amazing.

  • @babetteanandagoldstein972

    SO good.

  • @luliib800
    @luliib800 Před 2 lety +1

    Amazing figure. Very inspiration keep up the great work brother 🙏

  • @adqueen2548
    @adqueen2548 Před 5 lety +3

    He's awsome!

  • @jazzie743
    @jazzie743 Před 10 lety +3

    Love you!

  • @1989Fairytale
    @1989Fairytale Před 4 lety +1

    Love, love, love , love

  • @robertocalledecresta2312
    @robertocalledecresta2312 Před 4 lety +2

    Nice one bruv. Keep on keepin on.......!!!!!!

  • @mailiane
    @mailiane Před 11 lety +4

    Amazing!

  • @jaynewhitely8023
    @jaynewhitely8023 Před rokem

    Excellent x

  • @ro39able
    @ro39able Před 7 lety +3

    you are awesome :)

  • @user-xb5cv1cl5d
    @user-xb5cv1cl5d Před 2 lety +1

    Truly beautiful, I would love to have lunch with you one day. I feel this burden and gift to care for the uncle so strongly.

  • @Xestra37490
    @Xestra37490 Před rokem

    I love ❤️ 💕 ❤️ him. A beautiful soul

  • @atalaymekonnen3681
    @atalaymekonnen3681 Před 3 lety +1

    Simply African Hero !!!

  • @robertwalsh7966
    @robertwalsh7966 Před 3 lety +2

    Then we need to recruit more foster carers that do a great job in looking after the thousands of children in need of a home. Its so easy to stand idly by, waffle on, pass comment and do nothing when you can make a difference and foster a child. I understand that many people cant foster because of commitments etc and that is fine. However, if you can please do, as there are thousands of children from 10yrs up seeking a family home, so that they to can enjoy the very same things that other children do there age in a family setting.

  • @amanuabdu7181
    @amanuabdu7181 Před 4 lety +4

    I readd ur book " my name is why" , it doesnt say any thing about the relation what u have with ur foster parent, do u have a good relation now with them? Please i wanna know badly...

    • @OmarLakkis
      @OmarLakkis Před 4 lety +6

      That it says nothing about that relationship says everything about that relationship.

    • @endlesswave2685
      @endlesswave2685 Před 4 lety +1

      @@OmarLakkis correct!

  • @CourageDearHeart316
    @CourageDearHeart316 Před 4 lety

    His voice and some of his action reminds me of solomon bogale

  • @solomonabebe4014
    @solomonabebe4014 Před 3 lety +1

    WE,PRAWED,OF,YOU,I,M,ETH.KEEP,GOING,TNK,U

  • @jalaljad
    @jalaljad Před 8 lety +2

    Nice

  • @MariaChungWilloughby
    @MariaChungWilloughby Před 11 lety +2

    :) I love him. :)

  • @1Amhara1888
    @1Amhara1888 Před 4 lety +2

    ዶ /ር ለምን ሲሳይ 😘 ኩራት ነህ 💚💛❤️

  • @HH-sk9ju
    @HH-sk9ju Před 4 lety +2

    ♡♡♡♡♡

  • @femylafi
    @femylafi Před 7 lety +4

    Social workers should not be emotionally involved.. this is the basis of child state care... and again... it cuts the children of from basic emotional relationships, and teaches them to hide their own emotions.. which comes out in other behaviour.

    • @hornypervert3781
      @hornypervert3781 Před 6 lety +1

      femylafi The only emorions that should exist are anger and fear.

    • @anaanguiano6658
      @anaanguiano6658 Před 4 lety

      They donthave or rely on emotion because if they dod, they wouldnt kidnap them or hunt them down from their natural loving home and purposely place them with strangers who abuse them and are not checked on like the birth parents.

  • @aynidawit6622
    @aynidawit6622 Před 7 lety +3

    u are wondefull.what is the meaning of lemean?

    • @esayasg8629
      @esayasg8629 Před 5 lety

      It literally means "Why"? Maybe his parent (s) had a very pressing question in their life when they gave birth to him. Metaphysical question.

  • @sharonlee4773
    @sharonlee4773 Před 5 měsíci

    Norman!

  • @mikefuller6959
    @mikefuller6959 Před 7 lety +2

    SHIT!!! Bring back McGonagall, all is forgotten!

  • @ramonam9251
    @ramonam9251 Před 2 lety +1

    More people would adopt if CPS wasn't so brutal, vindictive, condescending.

  • @fatotosaaccount4757
    @fatotosaaccount4757 Před rokem

    STOP AMHARA GENOCIDE IN ETHIOPIA. THANK YOU. I BROUD YOU 🌷🙏✊✊

  • @shanmcdonough2933
    @shanmcdonough2933 Před rokem

    35.5 million 🤔

  • @shaesmith9940
    @shaesmith9940 Před rokem

    Proficiently & purposely poignant!

  • @ZYosef-sd7wu
    @ZYosef-sd7wu Před 3 lety

    Such a hustler. If only people some could see through this minstrelsy of victimhood. This fake weaving of your story is getting very old. Have you no shame.

    • @Irida24
      @Irida24 Před 2 lety

      He is a highly acclaimed academic and a national treasure. He is the Chancellor of Manchester University, has set up different funds supporting people from underprivileged backgrounds and foster care leavers with educations. He organises charity events for them and is a published author and poet.
      What have you done in your miserable life? Belittling others of social media because you obviously have more time than brains is not exactly an achievement. My condolences to your parents for failing to raise a decent human.