The emotional cost of being a black woman in America | Monica Johnson | TEDxBloomington

Black women and southern trees suffer from a similar affliction. They are marked to be the tellers and bearers of truth in a world socially constructed to destroy them. Social justice educator, Monica Johnson explores the parallels of her identity development and the life and legacy of the great Billie Holiday. This talk uncovers the day that Monica comes to understand what being a Black woman born and raised in the American south truly affords her. Monica asks the audience to stop and listen to an uncomfortable truth about the burden that Black women are forced to carry. Monica uses the legacy of Billie Holiday’s world renowned performance of “Strange Fruit” to explain what great cost Black women pay to expose the world to the truth. ---

--Live recording and post-production of this talk was done by Jon Stante Video Developer and Creator.-- For the entirety of her career, Monica Johnson has been active nationally in issues dealing with access and success in higher education. She has led many presentations and workshops centered on the recruitment, retention, and success of underrepresented students and marginalized professionals for a plethora of conferences (i.e. National Association for College Admission Counseling, The College Board, the ACT, The Center for Leadership Development - Indianapolis, and National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education). Monica proudly serves as a Chair of the National Advisory Council for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE).

Monica received her bachelor’s degree in African and Diaspora Studies from Vanderbilt University, her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Mississippi College, and is currently completing her doctoral work as a Social Justice Fellow in Higher Education at Azusa Pacific University. Monica’s research centers on the existence, persistence, and resistance of Black women in American higher education, with an acute focus on other-mothering.

[QueenVz]

Race will always be talked about until everyone is treated equally. Just be nice and treat others how you want to be treated. PERIOD!

[laurennix]

Her voice and the words-- full body chills. Thank you for sharing your truth.

[tashina]

My tears can't be dried as my pain hollows within me, I applaud you sister, our journey is coming to an end and everything that inflicted agony would be held accountable to the last straw...

[lizwebb]

Ms. Johnson,
Thank you so much for helping me hear. I have so much work to do. I promise you, I’ll do my work to the best of my ability. May you and family be blessed and never moved.
Peace & Love,
Liz

[misscoldasf]

This woman speaks with such grace yet power

[Gobigaccounting]

My heart is heavy today. I share & feel your pain. I listened to your TED Talk to try to find inspiration or hope... Thanks

[facetedperspectives]

Her message gave me chills.... I know the pain and hardship of which she spoke. If only the world could

[beatricedande]

I feel this on a magnified level since I grew up in Africa. It’s a new feeling, hits me hard every time I encounter racism. It’s been 11yrs and it still feels new. It’s something I need to accept but men it’s a difficult truth!

[Useernaamee]

It is important for us humans to perceive different perspectives and listen to those people that are different from us, hear their stories and problems, react with compassion and do our part, each and every single one of us. Look inside see how this makes you feel, see how the news make you feel, gather your own information don't just trust one source. Find out if you really feel that way or have you just adapted points of views from other people (parents, friends or even coworkers) or is it really how YOU feel. That is the only way we will finally live up to this human experience and live in our full potential. Everybody is worthy and worth the same. We are defined by our actions, do your part.

[pennscyclingschool]

this is an painful and amazing talk and explanation of the truth!

[aylbdrmadison]

No one will ever truly be free until *all* are free.

[PAC-nvep]

I like to keep things simple, everyone should have the same opportunity to succeed in life.

[NiekaRichard]

This is great! I love how she’s telling her story. By the way, try not to interact with the negative commentators. They hate themselves and will do anything for your attention.

[annablattler]

This women is such a brilliant talker. She had me hooked right away. Thank you so much Monica for this amazing TEDtalk❤

[deepikachandra]

Love this! Her voice at the start was absolutely beautiful!!!! <33. Racism needs to end ✊🏿. And all those people body shaming her in the comments, I hope God forgives you one day. 🙏🏾

[ReidGarwin]

"home is behind, the world ahead, there are many paths to tread, through shadow, to the edge of night, until the stars are all alight, mist and shadow, cloud and shade, all shall fade, all shall fade" - Pippin's Song Lord of The Rings

Now I'm wondering if this song was inspired by Holiday

[lionsingh]

From the UK, we are with you all the way

[ellaaa]

Thank you for speaking out. And I love your voice in the beginning of the video. So soft and beautiful ❤

[enderhugo]

I watched this
and I got chills
I had to resist the urge to cry
I can't describe what I felt
and then, when I finished watching
I read the comments
and now I feel shame
I feel disappointment

[ptweed]

Thank you Monica for such a great talk. Your words brighten up the world through this dark time of human history and bring hope to the future of humanity, to all people of any colour, gender and origin. Please stand your ground, keep being proud and unmovable!