TED2017
Luma Mufleh: Don't feel sorry for refugees -- believe in them
Luma Mufleh: No ti disparxias po is disterraus, creinci
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"Eus biu is progressus in totus is aspetus de sa vida nosta - foras de s'umanidadi", narat Luma Mufleh, una imigrada giordana cun originis sirianas musulmanas chi a creau sa prima iscola acreditada po disterraus in America. Mufleh si contat storias de speru e resilientzia, e si ispiegat cumenti est agiudendi is giovunus chi benint de natzionis in gherra cun is tribullias po si fai una domu noa. Custa conferentzia si oberrit su coru po essi personalmenti coinvoltus cun is disterraus.
Luma Mufleh - Refugee activist
Luma Mufleh does something revolutionary: she coaches soccer. A Jordanian immigrant and Muslim of Syrian descent, Mufleh is determined to empower refugee children everywhere. Full bio
Luma Mufleh does something revolutionary: she coaches soccer. A Jordanian immigrant and Muslim of Syrian descent, Mufleh is determined to empower refugee children everywhere. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:12
I remember when I first found out
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M'arregordu candu apu iscobertu
ca depemu chistionai in d'unu TED.
00:14
I was going to speak at a TED conference.
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00:16
I ran across the hall
to one of my classrooms
to one of my classrooms
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Apu cutu in su passaditzu
po lompi in d'una classi
po lompi in d'una classi
00:19
to inform my students.
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e ddu nai a is studentis.
00:20
"Guess what, guys?
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"Ddu scireis, piciocus?
00:21
I've been asked to give a TED Talk."
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M'anti domandau de fai unu TED".
00:23
The reaction wasn't one I quite expected.
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Sa reatzioni non fudit
cussa chi mi creemu.
cussa chi mi creemu.
00:25
The whole room went silent.
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Totus citius.
00:29
"A TED Talk? You mean, like the one
you made us watch on grit?
you made us watch on grit?
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"Unu TED? Cument'a cussus
chi si faint biri in Internet?
chi si faint biri in Internet?
00:32
Or the one with the scientist that did
this really awesome thing with robots?"
this really awesome thing with robots?"
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Cussus cun is scientziaus
chi faint cosas bellas cun is robot?"
chi faint cosas bellas cun is robot?"
00:35
Muhammad asked.
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m'at domandau Muhammad.
00:37
"Yes, just like that."
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"Eja, propiu cussu".
00:39
"But Coach, those people
are really important and smart."
are really important and smart."
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"O Maista, cussa est genti importanti
e abili meda".
e abili meda".
00:42
(Laughter)
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(Arrisu)
00:44
"I know that."
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"Ddu sciu".
"O Maista, poita ddui chistionas?
00:46
"But Coach, why are you speaking?
You hate public speaking."
You hate public speaking."
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A ca non ti praxit
a chistionai a genti meda".
a chistionai a genti meda".
00:51
"I do," I admitted,
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"Est berus", apu nau,
00:54
"But it's important that I speak about us,
that I speak about your journeys,
that I speak about your journeys,
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"ma est importanti a chistionai de nosus,
de is biaxius de bosatrus,
de is biaxius de bosatrus,
00:57
about my journey.
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de is biaxius cosa mia.
00:59
People need to know."
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Ddu depint isciri".
01:01
The students at the all-refugee
school that I founded
school that I founded
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Is istudentis de sa scola po disterraus
chi appu creau
chi appu creau
ant detzidiu de serrai
cun fueddus de incoragiamentu.
cun fueddus de incoragiamentu.
01:03
decided to end with some
words of encouragement.
words of encouragement.
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01:06
"Cool! It better be good, Coach."
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"Togu! Adessi mellus
chi siasta brava, o Maista!"
chi siasta brava, o Maista!"
01:08
(Laughter)
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(Arrisu)
01:10
There are 65.3 million people
who have been forcibly displaced
who have been forcibly displaced
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Ci funt 65,3 milionis de personas
disterradas a fortza de domu
disterradas a fortza de domu
01:14
from their homes because
of war or persecution.
of war or persecution.
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insoru po sa gherra o is persecutzionis.
01:18
The largest number,
11 million, are from Syria.
11 million, are from Syria.
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Is prus medas, 11 milionis,
benint de sa Siria.
benint de sa Siria.
01:21
33,952 people flee their homes daily.
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33.952 personas si fuint
de domu insoru dognia diri.
de domu insoru dognia diri.
01:28
The vast majority remain in refugee camps,
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S'un prus abarranta rifugiaus meis campus
01:32
whose conditions cannot be defined
as humane under anyone's definition.
as humane under anyone's definition.
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in conditzionis chi nisciunus
podit cuntziderai umanas.
podit cuntziderai umanas.
01:36
We are participating
in the degradation of humans.
in the degradation of humans.
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Seus partecipendi
a sa degradatzioni de is umanus.
a sa degradatzioni de is umanus.
01:44
Never have we had numbers this high.
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Non eus mai biu numerus aici artus.
01:46
This is the highest number
of refugees since World War II.
of refugees since World War II.
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Est su numeru prus artu de disterraus
de is tempus
de sa segundu gherra mondiali.
de sa segundu gherra mondiali.
01:50
Now, let me tell you why this issue
is so important to me.
is so important to me.
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Lassaimiri nai poita custa chistioni
est aici importanti po mei.
est aici importanti po mei.
01:54
I am an Arab. I am an immigrant.
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Seu araba. Seu disterrada.
01:58
I am a Muslim.
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Seu musulmana.
02:00
I've also spent the last 12 years
of my life working with refugees.
of my life working with refugees.
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E traballu de a su mancu 12 annus
cun is disterraus.
cun is disterraus.
02:03
Oh -- and I'm also gay.
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Ah, e seu gay puru.
Totus cosas chi oi in diri
mi faint agradessia meda.
mi faint agradessia meda.
02:05
It makes me really popular these days.
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02:07
(Laughter)
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(Arrisu)
02:09
But I am the daughter of a refugee.
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Ma seu filla de unu disterrau.
02:12
My grandmother fled Syria in 1964
during the first Assad regime.
during the first Assad regime.
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Aiaia mia s'est fuia de sa Siria
in su 1964, in su primu regimi de Assad.
in su 1964, in su primu regimi de Assad.
02:16
She was three months pregnant
when she packed up a suitcase,
when she packed up a suitcase,
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Fuet pringia de tres mesis
candu at fattu is bagaglius,
candu at fattu is bagaglius,
02:20
piled in her five children
and drove to neighboring Jordan,
and drove to neighboring Jordan,
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pinnigau is cincu fillus
e pigau sa machina fintzas a Giordania,
e pigau sa machina fintzas a Giordania,
02:23
not knowing what the future held
for her and her family.
for her and her family.
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chene isciri su chi depiat sutzedu
a issa e a sa famiglia sua.
a issa e a sa famiglia sua.
02:26
My grandfather decided to stay,
not believing it was that bad.
not believing it was that bad.
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Aiaiu iat detzidiu de abarrai,
ca no creiat che fuet aici legia.
ca no creiat che fuet aici legia.
02:30
He followed her a month later,
after his brothers were tortured
after his brothers were tortured
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Ndi ddus at sorigau apustis de un mesi,
poita ianta torturau a is fradis
poita ianta torturau a is fradis
02:34
and his factory was taken over
by the government.
by the government.
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e sa fabrica cosa sua
ndi dd'iat pigada su guvernu.
ndi dd'iat pigada su guvernu.
02:37
They rebuilt their lives
starting from scratch
starting from scratch
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Nd'ant torrau a pesai sa vida insoru
02:39
and eventually became independently
wealthy Jordanian citizens.
wealthy Jordanian citizens.
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e a s'acabada funti diventaus
citadinus giordanus arricus.
citadinus giordanus arricus.
02:43
I was born in Jordan 11 years later.
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Deu seu nascia in Giordania
apustis de undixi annus.
apustis de undixi annus.
02:47
It was really important to my grandmother
for us to know our history
for us to know our history
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Aiaia ci teniat chi nosus sciremus
s'istoria e su biaxiu cosa nosta.
s'istoria e su biaxiu cosa nosta.
02:50
and our journey.
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02:52
I was eight years old when she took me
to visit my first refugee camp.
to visit my first refugee camp.
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Tenemu ott'annus candu m'at portau
a biri su primu campu de disterraus.
a biri su primu campu de disterraus.
02:56
I didn't understand why.
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Non podemu cumprendi poita.
Non podemu cumprendi poita
fuet aici importanti
fuet aici importanti
02:58
I didn't know why
it was so important to her
it was so important to her
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03:00
for us to go.
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chi nosus ddui andamus.
03:02
I remember walking into the camp
holding her hand,
holding her hand,
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Parit ca mi biu caminendi
a manu pigada cun issa in su campu,
a manu pigada cun issa in su campu,
e mi narat
"Bai a giogai cun is pipius",
"Bai a giogai cun is pipius",
03:05
and her saying, "Go play with the kids,"
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03:07
while she visited
with the women in the camp.
with the women in the camp.
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in su mentris chi issa torrat visita
a is feminas de su campu.
a is feminas de su campu.
03:10
I didn't want to.
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No bolemu andai.
Cussus pipius non fuenta cumenti a mei.
03:11
These kids weren't like me.
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03:13
They were poor. They lived in a camp.
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Fuenta poburus. Biviant in d'unu campu.
03:15
I refused.
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Mi seu impuntada.
03:16
She knelt down beside me
and firmly said, "Go.
and firmly said, "Go.
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Issa s'est inginugada ananta mia
e at nau severa "Bai.
e at nau severa "Bai.
03:19
And don't come back until you've played.
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E non torris fintzas a candu no as giogau.
Non ti pentzis mai chi is aterus
funti a suta de tui
funti a suta de tui
03:21
Don't ever think people are beneath you
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03:23
or that you have nothing
to learn from others."
to learn from others."
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o ca non podis imparai
cancuna cosa de is aterus".
cancuna cosa de is aterus".
03:26
I reluctantly went.
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Seu andanda, mancai murrungendi.
03:27
I never wanted to disappoint
my grandmother.
my grandmother.
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Non mi praxiat a fai inchietai a aiaia.
03:31
I returned a few hours later,
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Seu torrada a pustis de cancuna ora,
03:32
having spent some time playing soccer
with the kids in the camp.
with the kids in the camp.
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emu giogau a bocia
cun is pipius de su campu.
cun is pipius de su campu.
03:38
We walked out of the camp,
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Bessendinci de su campu
03:39
and I was excitedly telling her
what a great time I had
what a great time I had
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fuemu contendiddi tottu prexada
ca mi fuemu spassiada meda
ca mi fuemu spassiada meda
03:42
and how fantastic the kids were.
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e ca is pipius fuenta togus meda.
03:45
"Haram!" I said in Arabic. "Poor them."
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"Haram!" apu nau in arabu, "Poberitus".
03:48
"Haram on us," she said,
using the word's different meaning,
using the word's different meaning,
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"Poberus nosus", at nau issa, imperendi
su fueddu cun d'un atru significau,
su fueddu cun d'un atru significau,
03:51
that we were sinning.
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ca fuemus fendi pecau.
03:54
"Don't feel sorry for them;
believe in them."
believe in them."
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"Non ti dispraxias po issus, creinci".
03:58
It wasn't until I left my country
of origin for the United States
of origin for the United States
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Fintzas a candu seu partia
po andai in America
po andai in America
04:01
that I realized the impact of her words.
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no apu cumprendiu s'importantzia
de cussus fueddus.
de cussus fueddus.
04:05
After my college graduation, I applied for
and was granted political asylum,
and was granted political asylum,
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A pustis de s'universidadi,
apu domandau e arriciu s'asilu politicu
apu domandau e arriciu s'asilu politicu
04:08
based on being a member of a social group.
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ca fuemu parti de unu grupu sotziali.
04:11
Some people may not realize this,
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Cancunu no ddu cumprendit,
04:13
but you can still get the death penalty
in some countries for being gay.
in some countries for being gay.
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ma ci funti logus chi ti podint
cundannai a morti poita ses gay.
cundannai a morti poita ses gay.
04:19
I had to give up my Jordanian citizenship.
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Apu depiu lassai
sa natzionalidadi giordana.
sa natzionalidadi giordana.
04:21
That was the hardest decision
I've ever had to make,
I've ever had to make,
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Est istetia sa decisioni prus dificili
de sa vida mia,
de sa vida mia,
04:23
but I had no other choice.
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ma non podemu fai atera cosa.
04:29
The point is,
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Su fatu est
04:31
when you find yourself choosing
between home and survival,
between home and survival,
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ca candu depis scerai a intru
de domu tua o sa sopraviventzia
de domu tua o sa sopraviventzia
04:34
the question "Where are you from?"
becomes very loaded.
becomes very loaded.
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sa pregunta "De innui ses?"
diventat gai meda.
diventat gai meda.
04:38
A Syrian woman who I recently met
at a refugee camp in Greece
at a refugee camp in Greece
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Una siriana chi apu connotu de pagu
in d'unu campu po disterraus in Grecia
in d'unu campu po disterraus in Grecia
04:42
articulated it best,
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dd'at nau mellus
candu m'at contau de su momentu
candu m'at contau de su momentu
04:43
when she recalled the exact moment
she realized she had to flee Aleppo.
she realized she had to flee Aleppo.
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chi at cumprendiu
ca si depiat fuiri de Aleppo.
ca si depiat fuiri de Aleppo.
04:47
"I looked out the window
and there was nothing.
and there was nothing.
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"Apu castiau a foras de sa ventana
e non ci fuet nudda.
e non ci fuet nudda.
04:49
It was all rubble.
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Sceti arruinas.
04:51
There were no stores, no streets,
no schools. Everything was gone.
no schools. Everything was gone.
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Non ci fuenta butegas, arrugas, scolas.
Tottu sciusciau.
Tottu sciusciau.
04:56
I had been in my apartment for months,
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Fuemu criada in domu de mesis,
04:58
listening to bombs drop
and watching people die.
and watching people die.
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ascurtendi is bombas arruendi
e castiendi sa genti chi moriat.
e castiendi sa genti chi moriat.
05:01
But I always thought it would get better,
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Ma pentzamu sempri ca iat a essi mellus,
05:05
that no one could force me to leave,
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ca nisciunus mi nci podiat bogai,
05:07
no one could take my home away from me.
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ca nisciunu mi ndi podiat pigai sa domu.
05:09
And I don't know why it was that morning,
but when I looked outside,
but when I looked outside,
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E no sciu cumenti,
unu mengianu apu castiau a foras
unu mengianu apu castiau a foras
e apu cumprendiu ca chi non mi fuemu,
is tres pipius mius iantessi mortus.
is tres pipius mius iantessi mortus.
05:13
I realized if I didn't leave,
my three young children would die.
my three young children would die.
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05:16
And so we left.
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E seus partius.
05:17
We left because we had to,
not because we wanted to.
not because we wanted to.
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Si ndi seus fuius poita si depemus fuiri,
no poita si ollemus fuiri.
no poita si ollemus fuiri.
05:20
There was no choice," she said.
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No apu tentu scioberu", at nau.
05:23
It's kind of hard to believe
that you belong
that you belong
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No fait a ddu crei ca t'agatas
candu non tenis una domu,
candu non tenis una domu,
05:26
when you don't have a home,
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05:27
when your country of origin rejects you
because of fear or persecution,
because of fear or persecution,
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candu sa natzioni cosa tua ti nci bogat
po timoria o persecutzioni,
po timoria o persecutzioni,
05:31
or the city that you grew up in
is completely destroyed.
is completely destroyed.
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o sa bidda innui ses istetia pesada
est totu sdarruta.
est totu sdarruta.
05:36
I didn't feel like I had a home.
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No mi pariat de tenni una domu.
05:38
I was no longer a Jordanian citizen,
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No fuemu prus una citadina giordana,
05:41
but I wasn't American, either.
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ma no fuemu nimancu americana.
05:43
I felt a kind of loneliness
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Mi intendemu aici a sola
ca non ddi potzu chistionai ancora.
ca non ddi potzu chistionai ancora.
05:45
that is still hard
to put into words today.
to put into words today.
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05:48
After college, I desperately needed
to find a place to call home.
to find a place to call home.
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A pustis de s'universidadi,
su disigiu de tenni una domu fuet mannu.
su disigiu de tenni una domu fuet mannu.
05:52
I bounced around from state to state
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Seu arrumbulada de stadu in stadu
e d'apu acabada in North Carolina.
e d'apu acabada in North Carolina.
05:54
and eventually ended up in North Carolina.
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05:56
Kindhearted people who felt sorry for me
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Genti coru bonu, ca ndi ddis pariat mali,
05:59
offered to pay rent
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mi olianta pagai s'afitu
mi olianta donai a papai o comporai
unu bistiri po s'atobiu de traballu.
unu bistiri po s'atobiu de traballu.
06:01
or buy me a meal or a suit
for my new interview.
for my new interview.
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06:04
It just made me feel
more isolated and incapable.
more isolated and incapable.
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Mi seu intendia prus isolada
e bona a nudda.
e bona a nudda.
06:08
It wasn't until I met Miss Sarah,
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Fintzas a chi tanti apu connotu
a Miss Sarah,
a Miss Sarah,
06:10
a Southern Baptist who took me in
at my lowest and gave me a job,
at my lowest and gave me a job,
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una batista chi m'at arregotu de terra
e m'at donau unu traballu,
e m'at donau unu traballu,
06:14
that I started to believe in myself.
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e apu cumentzau a crei
ca ci dda podemu fai.
ca ci dda podemu fai.
06:16
Miss Sarah owned a diner
in the mountains of North Carolina.
in the mountains of North Carolina.
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Miss Sarah teniada una tratoria
meis montis de North Carolina.
meis montis de North Carolina.
06:21
I assumed, because
of my privileged upbringing
of my privileged upbringing
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Mi pentzamu, poita
m'anti pesau privilegiada
m'anti pesau privilegiada
06:24
and my Seven Sister education,
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e seu andada a iscolas bonas,
06:25
that she would ask me
to manage the restaurant.
to manage the restaurant.
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ca mi adessi domandau
de dirigi sa tratoria.
de dirigi sa tratoria.
06:27
I was wrong.
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Mi isbagliamu.
06:29
I started off washing dishes,
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Apu cumentzau sciacquendi su strexiu,
06:31
cleaning toilets and working the grill.
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allichidendi is bagnius
e traballendi a sa cardiga.
e traballendi a sa cardiga.
06:34
I was humbled; I was shown
the value of hard work.
the value of hard work.
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M'at apocau, apu cumprendiu
ita olit nai a traballai diaderus.
ita olit nai a traballai diaderus.
06:37
But most importantly,
I felt valued and embraced.
I felt valued and embraced.
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Ma, pruschetotu,
mi seu intendia apretzada e acullia.
mi seu intendia apretzada e acullia.
06:40
I celebrated Christmas with her family,
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A Paschixedda fuemu
cun sa familia cosa sua
cun sa familia cosa sua
06:42
and she attempted to observe
Ramadan with me.
Ramadan with me.
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e issa at provau a fai
su Ramadam cun mei.
su Ramadam cun mei.
06:46
I remember being very nervous
about coming out to her --
about coming out to her --
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Fuemu nervosa meda prima
de ddi nai ca seu gay -
de ddi nai ca seu gay -
06:48
after all, she was a Southern Baptist.
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2042
issa fuet una batista de su sud.
06:50
I sat on the couch next to her
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1460
Setzia in su divanu acant'e issa
06:52
and I said, "Miss Sarah,
you know that I'm gay."
you know that I'm gay."
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dd'apu nau: "Miss Sarah,
fostei ddu scidi ca seu gay".
fostei ddu scidi ca seu gay".
06:55
Her response is one
that I will never forget.
that I will never forget.
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Non m'apu mai a scaresci
s'arrisposta cosa sua.
s'arrisposta cosa sua.
06:57
"That's fine, honey.
Just don't be a slut."
Just don't be a slut."
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"Andat beni, sa pipia.
Ma no fetzas sa bagassa"
Ma no fetzas sa bagassa"
06:59
(Laughter)
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(Arrisu)
07:03
(Applause)
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(Tzarracamanus)
07:05
I eventually moved to Atlanta,
still trying to find my home.
still trying to find my home.
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A s'acabada sei andada a Atlanta,
ancora circhendi sa domu mia.
ancora circhendi sa domu mia.
07:12
My journey took a strange turn
three years later,
three years later,
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A pustis de tres annus,
su biaji miu est cambiau
su biaji miu est cambiau
07:14
after I met a group of refugee kids
playing soccer outside.
playing soccer outside.
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a pustis d'essi connotu pipius
disterraus gioghendi a bocia.
disterraus gioghendi a bocia.
Non emu intzetau sa 'ia
e dd'emu acabada in d'unu condominiu,
e dd'emu acabada in d'unu condominiu,
07:18
I'd made a wrong turn
into this apartment complex,
into this apartment complex,
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07:20
and I saw these kids
outside playing soccer.
outside playing soccer.
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2215
custus pipius fuenta
gioghendi a bocia in sa 'ia.
gioghendi a bocia in sa 'ia.
07:23
They were playing barefoot
with a raggedy soccer ball
with a raggedy soccer ball
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Fuenta scrutzus e gioganta
cun d'una bocia de tzapulu
cun d'una bocia de tzapulu
e cun is perdas po fai sa porta.
07:26
and rocks set up as goals.
151
434083
1452
07:27
I watched them for about an hour,
152
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1700
Ddus apu castiaus po casi un'ora
e apustis fuemu arriendi.
e apustis fuemu arriendi.
07:29
and after that I was smiling.
153
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1578
07:31
The boys reminded me of home.
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Cussus pipius m'anti fatu pentzai a domu.
07:33
They reminded me of the way
I grew up playing soccer
I grew up playing soccer
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M'anti arregordau de candu
giogamu a bocia
giogamu a bocia
meis istradas de sa Giordania
cun fradis e fradilis mius.
cun fradis e fradilis mius.
07:35
in the streets of Jordan,
with my brothers and cousins.
with my brothers and cousins.
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2630
07:39
I eventually joined their game.
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447792
2001
Apu bofiu giogai deu puru.
07:41
They were a little skeptical
about letting me join it,
about letting me join it,
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2843
A principius no fuenta meda sigurus
de mi lassai a giogai cun issus,
de mi lassai a giogai cun issus,
07:44
because according to them,
girls don't know how to play.
girls don't know how to play.
159
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2662
ca, segundu issus,
is feminas non scinti giogai.
is feminas non scinti giogai.
07:47
But obviously I did.
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1346
Ma deu sciremu giogai.
07:48
I asked them if they had
ever played on a team.
ever played on a team.
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Ddis apu domandau
chi ianta mai giogau in scuadra.
chi ianta mai giogau in scuadra.
07:51
They said they hadn't,
but that they would love to.
but that they would love to.
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459008
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M'anti arrespustu ca nou,
ma ddis iat a essi praxiu meda.
ma ddis iat a essi praxiu meda.
07:53
I gradually won them over,
and we formed our first team.
and we formed our first team.
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A pagu a pagu ddus apu cunvintus
e eus fatu sa primu scuadra.
e eus fatu sa primu scuadra.
07:57
This group of kids would give me
a crash course in refugees, poverty
a crash course in refugees, poverty
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Custus pipius m'anti fatu
unu cursu acelerau
unu cursu acelerau
de disterraus, pobertadi
08:03
and humanity.
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471997
1232
e umanidadi.
08:06
Three brothers from Afghanistan --
Roohullah, Noorullah and Zabiullah --
Roohullah, Noorullah and Zabiullah --
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3555
Tres fradis de s'Afganistan -
Roohullah, Noorullah and Zabiullah -
Roohullah, Noorullah and Zabiullah -
08:09
played a major role in that.
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1624
funti cussus chi m'anti imparau de prus.
08:12
I showed up late to practice one day
to find the field completely deserted.
to find the field completely deserted.
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3568
A pustis de cancuna diri, andu
po s'allenamentu e non agatu a nisciunus.
po s'allenamentu e non agatu a nisciunus.
08:15
I was really worried.
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1181
Fuemu preocupada meda.
08:17
My team loved to practice.
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1611
Sa scuadra mia ddis praxiat a s'allenai.
08:18
It wasn't like them to miss practice.
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2607
Non s'ianta a perdi unu allenamentu.
08:21
I got out of my car, and two kids
ran out from behind a dumpster,
ran out from behind a dumpster,
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489443
3088
Ndi seu calada de sa machina e duus pipius
ndi funti bessius de addia de un caxioni,
ndi funti bessius de addia de un caxioni,
08:24
waving their hands frantically.
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492555
1583
fadendi sa manu.
08:27
"Coach, Rooh got beat up. He got jumped.
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2047
"A Rooh dd'anti arropau.
Dd'anti fatu sa posta.
Dd'anti fatu sa posta.
08:29
There was blood everywhere."
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497166
1578
Fueda prenu de sanguni".
08:30
"What do you mean?
What do you mean he got beat up?"
What do you mean he got beat up?"
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498768
2455
"Ita? Dd'anti atripau?"
08:33
"These bad kids came
and beat him up, Coach.
and beat him up, Coach.
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2073
"Piciocheddus malus
funti benius a dd'arropai.
funti benius a dd'arropai.
08:35
Everybody left. They were all scared."
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503344
2226
Si funti fuius tutus,
si funti totus spantaus":
si funti totus spantaus":
08:37
We hopped into my car
and drove over to Rooh's apartment.
and drove over to Rooh's apartment.
179
505594
2718
Eus pigau sa machina
po andai a domu de Rooh.
po andai a domu de Rooh.
08:40
I knocked on the door, and Noor opened it.
180
508336
2499
Apu adubau e Noor at obertu.
08:43
"Where's Rooh? I need
to talk to him, see if he's OK."
to talk to him, see if he's OK."
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511589
2752
"Innui e' Rooh? Ddu depu chistionai
po biri si andat totu beni".
po biri si andat totu beni".
08:46
"He's in his room, Coach.
He's refusing to come out."
He's refusing to come out."
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514365
2936
"Est in sa stanza sua.
Non ddi olit bessiri".
Non ddi olit bessiri".
08:49
I knocked on the door.
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517325
1167
Apu adubau a sa porta.
08:50
"Rooh, come on out. I need to talk to you.
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518516
2426
"Rooh, bessindi. Ti depu nai una cosa.
08:52
I need to see if you're OK
or if we need to go to the hospital."
or if we need to go to the hospital."
185
520966
3051
Ollu biri cumenti staisi
e si depis andai a su spidali".
e si depis andai a su spidali".
08:56
He came out.
186
524041
1151
Nd'est bessiu.
08:57
He had a big gash on his head,
a split lip,
a split lip,
187
525216
2262
Potada unu trincu in conca,
unu murru segau,
unu murru segau,
09:00
and he was physically shaken.
188
528019
1751
e fuet spantau meda.
09:02
I was looking at him,
189
530514
1333
Castiendiddu
09:03
and I asked the boys
to call for their mom,
to call for their mom,
190
531871
2559
apu domandau a is piciocheddus
de tzerriai a sa mama,
de tzerriai a sa mama,
09:06
because I needed to go
to the hospital with him.
to the hospital with him.
191
534454
2412
ca depemu andai a su spidali cun issu.
09:08
They called for their mom.
192
536890
1307
Anti tzerriau a sa mama.
09:10
She came out.
193
538608
1192
Nd'est bessia a foras.
09:12
I had my back turned to her,
and she started screaming in Farsi.
and she started screaming in Farsi.
194
540239
3579
Fuemu furriada e at cumentzau
a tzerriai in farsi.
a tzerriai in farsi.
09:16
The boys fell to the ground laughing.
195
544577
2075
Is pipius fuenta arriendi cument'a macus.
09:18
I was very confused,
196
546676
1152
Deu fuemu afaltada
poita non ci fuet nudda de arriri.
poita non ci fuet nudda de arriri.
09:19
because there was nothing
funny about this.
funny about this.
197
547852
2074
09:22
They explained to me that she said,
198
550390
2000
M'anti ispiegau ca iat nau
09:24
"You told me your coach
was a Muslim and a woman."
was a Muslim and a woman."
199
552414
2814
"M'estis nau ca s'allenadora
fuet musulmana e femina".
fuet musulmana e femina".
09:27
From behind, I didn't appear
to be either to her.
to be either to her.
200
555252
2369
De palas no ddi fuemu pata
ni s'una ni s'atera cosa.
ni s'una ni s'atera cosa.
09:29
(Laughter)
201
557645
3633
(Arrisu)
09:33
"I am Muslim," I said, turning to her.
202
561302
2236
"Seu musulmana", dd'apu nau furriendimiri.
09:35
"Ašhadu ʾan lā ʾilāha ʾilla (A)llāh,"
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563562
1931
"Ašhadu ʾan lā ʾilāha ʾilla (A)llāh",
09:37
reciting the Muslim declaration of faith.
204
565517
2369
sa dichiaratzioni de fidi musulmana.
09:40
Confused,
205
568587
1304
Cunfundia,
09:43
and perhaps maybe a little bit reassured,
206
571208
1990
ma fortzis unu pagu tranquillizada,
09:45
she realized that yes,
207
573222
1155
at cumprendiu ca deu,
trassada a americana
trassada a americana
09:46
I, this American-acting,
shorts-wearing, non-veiled woman,
shorts-wearing, non-veiled woman,
208
574401
3291
cun is cratzoneddus
crutzus e chentz'e velu
crutzus e chentz'e velu
09:49
was indeed a Muslim.
209
577716
1190
fuemu diaderus musulmana.
09:52
Their family had fled the Taliban.
210
580166
1950
Sa famiglia cosa sua
s'est fuia de is talebanus.
s'est fuia de is talebanus.
09:55
Hundreds of people in their village
211
583687
1704
Anti mortu centenas de personas
de bidda sua.
de bidda sua.
09:57
were murdered.
212
585415
1246
09:58
Their father was taken in by the Taliban,
213
586685
2213
Su babu est istetiu impresonau
de is talebanus,
de is talebanus,
10:00
only to return a few months later,
a shell of the man he once was.
a shell of the man he once was.
214
588922
3801
e candu e' torrau a pustis de cancunu mesi
no pariat prus s'omini chi fuet istetiu.
no pariat prus s'omini chi fuet istetiu.
10:06
The family escaped to Pakistan,
215
594738
2411
Sa famiglia s'est fuia in Pakistan
10:09
and the two older boys,
age eight and 10 at the time,
age eight and 10 at the time,
216
597173
3568
e is dus pipius prus mannus,
chi intzas teniant 8 e 10 annus,
chi intzas teniant 8 e 10 annus,
10:12
wove rugs for 10 hours a day
to provide for their family.
to provide for their family.
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3237
tessiant tapetus dexi oras a sa diri
po fai papai a sa famiglia.
po fai papai a sa famiglia.
10:16
They were so excited when they found out
that they had been approved
that they had been approved
218
604926
3757
Fuenta aici cuntentus candu ant scipiu
ca ddus iant concediu
ca ddus iant concediu
10:20
to resettle in the United States,
219
608707
2492
su permissu po bivi in America,
10:23
making them the lucky 0.1 percent
who get to do that.
who get to do that.
220
611223
3253
ponendiddus in su 0,1% de beni assortaus
chi ci arrennescinti.
chi ci arrennescinti.
10:26
They had hit the jackpot.
221
614500
1590
Ianta bintu su primu premiu.
10:28
Their story is not unique.
222
616930
1570
S'istoria insoru non est unica.
10:31
Every refugee family I have worked with
has had some version of this.
has had some version of this.
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619085
3908
Totus is famiglias disterradas
chi apu connotu
chi apu connotu
ndi tenianta una versioni insoru.
10:35
I work with kids
224
623017
1340
Traballu cun pipius
10:37
who have seen their mothers raped,
their fathers' fingers sliced off.
their fathers' fingers sliced off.
225
625206
3859
chi anti biu a sa mama violentada,
seghendindi is didus a su babu.
seghendindi is didus a su babu.
10:41
One kid saw a bullet
put in his grandmother's head,
put in his grandmother's head,
226
629089
2955
Unu pipiu at biu sparendi
a sa nonna in conca
a sa nonna in conca
10:44
because she refused to let the rebels
take him to be a child soldier.
take him to be a child soldier.
227
632068
4038
poita non boliat chi is ribellis
ndi ddu pighessint po fai su sordau.
ndi ddu pighessint po fai su sordau.
10:49
Their journeys are haunting.
228
637943
1541
Is biaxius insoru
funti istetius terribilis.
funti istetius terribilis.
10:51
But what I get to see every day
is hope, resilience, determination,
is hope, resilience, determination,
229
639940
5774
Ma dognia diri biu speru,
resilientza e determinazioni,
resilientza e determinazioni,
10:57
a love of life
230
645738
1185
amori po sa vida
10:58
and appreciation for being able
to rebuild their lives.
to rebuild their lives.
231
646947
2844
e gratitudini po essi capatzi
de torrai a costruiri is vidas insoru.
de torrai a costruiri is vidas insoru.
11:03
I was at the boys' apartment one night,
232
651607
2125
Una notti fuemu in domu de is pipius
candu est torrada sa mama
candu est torrada sa mama
11:05
when the mom came home
after cleaning 18 hotel rooms in one day.
after cleaning 18 hotel rooms in one day.
233
653756
4810
apustis de essi allichidiu
18 stanzas in d'unu albergu.
18 stanzas in d'unu albergu.
11:10
She sat down, and Noor rubbed her feet,
234
658590
2293
S'est setzia e Noor
dd'at massagiau is peis
dd'at massagiau is peis
11:13
saying that he was going to take care
of her once he graduated.
of her once he graduated.
235
661679
3075
e dd'at nau ca a pustis de sa laurea
s'iat a rendi cura de issa.
s'iat a rendi cura de issa.
11:16
She smiled from exhaustion.
236
664778
1494
Issa at arrisiu mancai cantzada.
11:18
"God is good. Life is good.
We are lucky to be here."
We are lucky to be here."
237
666296
3408
"Deus est bonu. Sa vida est bella.
Seus beni assortaus de bivi innoi".
Seus beni assortaus de bivi innoi".
11:23
In the last two years, we have seen
an escalating anti-refugee sentiment.
an escalating anti-refugee sentiment.
238
671001
4795
Meis urtimus dus annus apu biu crescendi
su sentimentu contras a is disterraus.
su sentimentu contras a is disterraus.
11:28
It's global.
239
676219
1219
In totu su mundu.
11:30
The numbers continue to grow
because we do nothing to prevent it
because we do nothing to prevent it
240
678579
3244
Is numerus crescinti
poita non fadeus nudda po dd'evitai
poita non fadeus nudda po dd'evitai
11:33
and nothing to stop it.
241
681847
1701
e nudda po ddu firmai.
11:35
The issue shouldn't be stopping refugees
from coming into our countries.
from coming into our countries.
242
683572
3552
Su problema non est a non fai benni
is disterraus a is natzionis nostas.
is disterraus a is natzionis nostas.
11:39
The issue should be
not forcing them to leave their own.
not forcing them to leave their own.
243
687148
2988
Su problema iat a depi essi
a non ddus sortai a si fuiri de sa insoru.
a non ddus sortai a si fuiri de sa insoru.
11:42
(Applause)
244
690160
4435
(Tzarracamanus)
11:58
Sorry.
245
706510
1325
Mi dispraxit.
11:59
(Applause)
246
707859
3928
(Tzarracamanus)
12:09
How much more suffering,
247
717917
2525
Cantu soferentza,
12:12
how much more suffering must we take?
248
720466
2045
cantu atera soferentza
depeus poderai?
depeus poderai?
Cantu atera genti depit essi sortada
de si fuiri de domu sua
de si fuiri de domu sua
12:15
How many more people need to be
forced out of their homes
forced out of their homes
249
723255
2771
12:18
before we say, "Enough!"?
250
726050
1381
prima de nai "Est ora de d'acabai"?
12:19
A hundred million?
251
727455
1209
Centu milionis?
12:21
Not only do we shame,
blame and reject them
blame and reject them
252
729125
2826
No sceti ddus sbregungiaus,
ddus acusaus and ddus arrecusaus
ddus acusaus and ddus arrecusaus
12:25
for atrocities that they had
absolutely nothing to do with,
absolutely nothing to do with,
253
733245
2833
po is atrocidadis
chi non ddi tenint nisciuna curpa,
chi non ddi tenint nisciuna curpa,
12:29
we re-traumatize them,
254
737012
1155
ddus torraus a traumatizai
12:30
when we're supposed to be welcoming
them into our countries.
them into our countries.
255
738191
2965
in tambus de ddus aculli
meis natzionis cosa nosta.
meis natzionis cosa nosta.
12:35
We strip them of their dignity
and treat them like criminals.
and treat them like criminals.
256
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3303
Ndi ddis bogaus sa dignidadi
e ddus trataus cumenti a delincuentis.
e ddus trataus cumenti a delincuentis.
12:38
I had a student in my office
a couple of weeks ago.
a couple of weeks ago.
257
746618
2706
In s'ufiziu tenemu una studentessa
cancuna cida faidi.
cancuna cida faidi.
12:41
She's originally from Iraq.
258
749348
1816
Ndi beniat de s'Iraq.
12:43
She broke down crying.
259
751188
1439
S'est posta a prangi.
12:45
"Why do they hate us?"
260
753595
1628
"Poita si tirriant a nosus?"
12:47
"Who hates you?"
261
755247
1174
"Chini ti tirriat?"
12:48
"Everyone; everyone hates us
because we are refugees,
because we are refugees,
262
756445
2771
"Totus. Totus si tirriant
poita seus disterraus,
poita seus disterraus,
12:51
because we are Muslim."
263
759240
1356
poita seus musulmanus".
12:54
In the past, I was able
to reassure my students
to reassure my students
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762019
2336
Unu tempus, arrennescemu
a cunvinci is istudentis
a cunvinci is istudentis
ca in sa prus parti de su mundu
no tirriant a is disterraus.
no tirriant a is disterraus.
12:56
that the majority of the world
does not hate refugees.
does not hate refugees.
265
764379
2637
12:59
But this time I couldn't.
266
767040
1385
Ma cust'orta non ci seu arrennescia.
13:00
I couldn't explain to her why someone
tried to rip off her mother's hijab
tried to rip off her mother's hijab
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Non dd'apu scipiu ispiegai poita
a sa mama dd'anti tirau su mucadori
a sa mama dd'anti tirau su mucadori
13:04
when they were grocery shopping,
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candu fuenta in sa butega,
13:06
or why a player on an opposing
team called her a terrorist
team called her a terrorist
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o poita un aversariu de s'atera scuadra
dd'at tzerriada terrorista
dd'at tzerriada terrorista
13:09
and told her to go back
where she came from.
where she came from.
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e dd'at nau a si ndi torrai
de a ca nd'est benia.
de a ca nd'est benia.
13:11
I couldn't reassure her
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No dda podemu cunvinci
13:13
that her father's ultimate life sacrifice
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ca su sacrifitziu de su babu,
13:16
by serving in the United States
military as an interpreter
military as an interpreter
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serbendi s'America cumenti a interpreti,
13:19
would make her more valued
as an American citizen.
as an American citizen.
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dd'iat a fai tenni prus valori
cumenti a citadina americana.
cumenti a citadina americana.
13:23
We take in so few refugees worldwide.
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Aculleus diaderus pagus disterraus.
13:26
We resettle less than 0.1 percent.
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Non ndi sistemaus mancu su 0,1%.
13:30
That 0.1 percent benefits us
more than them.
more than them.
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Cussu 0,1% si profetat de prus
a nosus che a issus e totu.
a nosus che a issus e totu.
13:34
It dumbfounds me how the word "refugee"
is considered something to be dirty,
is considered something to be dirty,
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Abarru spantada de cumenti su fueddu
"disterrau" parit una cosa bruta,
"disterrau" parit una cosa bruta,
una cosa de si ndi parri bregungia.
13:38
something to be ashamed of.
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13:40
They have nothing to be ashamed of.
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Non teninti nudda
de ddi ndis parri bregungia.
de ddi ndis parri bregungia.
13:45
We have seen advances
in every aspect of our lives --
in every aspect of our lives --
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Eus biu progressu
in dognia aspetu de sa vida nosta,
in dognia aspetu de sa vida nosta,
13:48
except our humanity.
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foras de s'umanidadi.
13:50
There are 65.3 million people
who have been forced out of their homes
who have been forced out of their homes
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Ci funti 66,3 milionis de personas
fuius de domu insoru
fuius de domu insoru
13:54
because of war --
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po sa gherra:
13:56
the largest number in history.
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is prus medas de totu sa storia.
13:59
We are the ones who should be ashamed.
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A nosus si nd'iat a depi parri bregungia.
14:01
Thank you.
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Gratzias.
14:02
(Applause)
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(Tzarracamanus)
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Luma Mufleh - Refugee activistLuma Mufleh does something revolutionary: she coaches soccer. A Jordanian immigrant and Muslim of Syrian descent, Mufleh is determined to empower refugee children everywhere.
Why you should listen
Luma Mufleh is the CEO and Founding Director of Fugees Family, Inc., a nonprofit organization that uses the power of soccer, education and community to empower refugee children to successfully integrate into the United States. Now, she's part principal, part tutor, the head of the first accredited private school dedicated to refugee education in the country, which encompases a summer camp and a college prep program -- and she’s building a community and support network that could be the national model the United States needs.
The Fugees' story began in 2004, when Luma took a wrong turn while driving through the town of Clarkston, Georgia and noticed a group of boys playing soccer in the street. She learned that these children were refugees from war-town countries including Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Burma, Somalia and Sudan. That summer, Luma made fliers announcing tryouts for the Fugees soccer team. In the years that followed, the soccer team grew into something much larger -- a school, a tutoring program, a summer camp, a college prep program, and, most importantly, a community and support network.
A lifelong social entrepreneur, Luma has created several programs and initiatives that have gainfully employed, educated and empowered refugees and immigrants in her community and beyond, with the Fugees Academy serving as a national model for refugee education. While only 20 percent of refugee students graduate from high school in Georgia's DeKalb County, the Fugees Academy has a 90 percent graduation rate. These types of results helped earn Luma the 2016 Cournelle Award for Social Entrepreneurship from the Manhattan Institute.
A Jordanian immigrant and Muslim of Syrian descent, Luma received her U.S. citizenship in 2011. Her story -- and the story of the Fugees -- illustrates both the American dream and the very real challenges of integration and discrimination that so many face today. Luma received her B.A. in Anthropology from Smith College and recently completed the Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Luma Mufleh | Speaker | TED.com