Potential topic - TED Talks Research

TAIYE SELASI - DONT ASK WHERE I'M FROM, ASK WHERE I'M A LOCAL

Nationality 

• A country is not a constant, absolute thing. Countries change and the fact they exist at all is purely by human invention. 
• How can a human come from a concept?
• Culture is more real than a country, it says more about you. 
• A location says nothing about you in terms of nationality nowadays. 

"all experience is local, all identity is experience"

Connection is local, not national

"my experience is where I am from"

Where are you a local? Move beyond the cliche, be specific. 

Rituals - your routines and activities, these familiar things can exist anywhere. 

Relationships - who makes somewhere home to you

Restrictions - external factors, where are you able to life (legality, safety)

Is nationality outdated?

What do we actually want to know when we ask where someone is from?

Do we make a judgement about power, wealth, stereotypes, are we asking why they are here? 

Do these things associated with 'your nation' actually define you or reflect on you at all?

PICO IYER - WHERE IS HOME?

'Where do you come from?' What does this mean?

• Where is your bloodline?
• Where were you born?
• Where were you raised?
• Where do you pay your taxes?
• Which place is embedded within you?
• Where do you wish to spend your time?

Take pieces from many different places. 

Is home about soil or soul?

Can home exist within you instead of being an external thing?

We can choose our home.

Step beyond divisions and regulations

There are 220 million people living in countries not considered their own. 

The 5th largest 'nation' on earth are undefinable as having a nationality. 

You have more in common with someone in a similar circumstance to you than someone with the same nationality as you, even if you live on opposite sides of the world. 

Blend of cultures - making something new. 

Is culture overtaking nationality?

Connection between home and freedom. 

If you stop moving around and realise what is important to you, you will be able to see where to go. 

This is your home. 

Movement between locations is a privilege that is so common nowadays that it may be changing the meaning of nationality. 

Movement only has a meaning to you if you have a place you consider home. 

OTHER TED TALKS TO REVISIT

• HETAIN PATEL - WHO AM I? THINK AGAIN
• EMILIE WAPNICK - WHY SOME OF US DONT HAVE ONE TRUE CALLING