The TED talk illuminates the effort of Marian Wright Edelman’s path in being the Children’s Defense Fund founder in 1973, from her early influence of being brought up in the segregated American South to her activism with Dr. Martin Luther King. Marian Wright Edelman’s Ted Talk, “Reflections from a lifetime fighting to end child poverty,” reflects on the poverty lifestyle in her infancy and how her parents put effort into bringing up the family with a helping attitude, energy, and positivism to bring change. Like most other fortunate individuals, she grew up at a juncture of inordinate needs, injustices, and opportunities for change. This reflection explains Marian Wright Edelman’s path in founding the Children’s Defense Fund in 1973 and how racial discrimination affected blacks during her time. It examines Edelman’s main ideas from the lens of social work practice.
Edelman explains that her parents, even though not financially stable, had a significant impact on her life hel, ped her become a great leader, and shaped her into the person she is today. Given that she grew up in a small town in South Carolina, she appreciated the many injustices in the world, and her parents entrusted her with the responsibility of changing the world (Edelman, 2018). Edelman explains that her parent’s plan to establish a residence for the aged and people in need was an essential lesson to her and gave her a servitude opportunity. Edelman remembers an accident adjacent to their homestead involving White and Black drivers. After the ambulance arrived and found that the truck drivers escaped unhurt while the Black family was, it left the scene without rescuing the Black family. In addition, Edelman (2018) recalls White and Blackwater signs in the departmental store, in which her Sunday school teacher shuddered at her after drinking from the wrong water sign. Edelman demonstrates that her major concern is how people risk their own future and that of their children by channeling the country’s investment on war rather than on children.
This TED talk relates to the origin of inequality in the U.S and the helpless efforts of Miriam and her parents, who have been fundamental to pushing for transformation and fighting for the rights of minority and low-income people. According to Miriam, it remains ironic that the U.S., one of the most influential and developed nations with vast resources, has many children starving. Capitalist perception among leaders and the parties concerned is the major issue, and inequality has dominated the system. People of color and people with low incomes have long been segregated into groups following the barrier put forward by society. As such, upward social mobility is becoming complex for people of color. It is thus necessary to address such barriers by offering equal opportunities. Provided there is the need to embrace sub-consciousness while promoting self-identity, this should not be a barrier to social integration and elevating multiculturalism in the U.S.
Edelman’s Ted Talk has numerous implications for me as a social worker. First, Historical perspectives on activism in the Ted Talk explains Marian Wright Edelman’s path, which includes growing up in the Segregated American South, including her activism with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr (Edelman, 2018), can be discussed as proof of how an individual’s personal experiences and historical context can shape lifelong commitment to social justice while also fighting child poverty. Secondly, concerning founding the Children’s Defense Fund, to me as a social worker implies that I can delve into the details of how Edelman established the Children’s Defense Fund in 1973 and the influence it had on addressing child poverty within the U.S. I am passionate about my faith helping the community, and caring for people and children. Thus, her ideas can help me easily integrate into the community. Edelman’s tactic in developing such a national movement can be explored in more detail. Finally, Age and radicalism in Edelman’s argument on growing old makes her much more radical, and this is a critical discussion point. From the social work lens, it could be a dialogue on how accumulated knowledge may fuel a more profound commitment to resolving systematic issues such as child poverty and aging activists that can bring fundamental awareness into the movement.
Reference
Edelman. M. W. (2018). Reflection from a lifetime fighting to end child poverty. TED Talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/marian_wright_edelman_reflections_from_a_lifetime_fighting to_end_child_poverty
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