On a list of the least funny topics imaginable, the global refugee crisis, border disputes and questions of citizenship are probably close to the top. And yet comedian Maeve Higgins has spent her career finding ways to make jokes about (and make sense of) the ways we draw lines across the globe. She's a stand-up comedian and writer who speaks from the point of view of an Irish immigrant in the United States. In this excerpt from How to Be a Better Human, a TED Audio Collective podcast hosted by Chris Duffy, Maeve talks about ways we can find funny and eye-opening vantage points to look at the realities and borders of the world, our place in it and how imagination and laughter can help us through tough times. We asked Chris to select a book that he thinks explores these topics more deeply, and he selected "There There" by Tommy Orange. Listen for his recommendation and why he thinks it's "like the best action movie and one of the smartest sociological and historical essays paired together." This episode is part of the TED Talks Daily summer book club, a series featuring talks and interviews to inspire your next great read.
The podcast discusses a book titled "There There" by Tommy Orange which looks at migration, borders, nationality and the concept of being a good immigrant in contemporary America. The book also provides an analysis of Native American identity and how the United States has treated its different populations over time.
In this episode, May Ee Wong challenges us to imagine borders and immigration differently in order to change how we treat people all over the world. The host discusses her personal experience as an immigrant and the idea of ranking immigrants based on their abilities.
Comedians and writers may have a significant impact on society and contribute to creating social change. Dividing humans and restricting their mobility across borders may create an ugly situation, so every kind of person should be welcome.
The speaker discusses the fascinating glimpse that immigrants or children of immigrants have into two different realities. However, they admit that their primary contribution may just be spending too much money on cold brew.
In this podcast snippet, the speaker shares the experience of a Black girl who finally owned a place without being cordoned off by a massive statue of someone who believed people like her should be kept in slavery. The podcast discusses the history and current urgent questions related to monuments in America.
The importance of not only tearing down oppressive systems but also creating and building up positive alternatives is discussed. The speaker also reflects on the pressure to constantly produce and the desire to be a part of the solution rather than just pointing out problems.