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What makes you special? | Mariana Atencio | TEDxUniversityofNevada

TEDx Talks

25.4M views 9 years ago

Warm-up Questions

What are two things that could make a person “special”?
When have you felt different from other people, and what helped you?
What do you think the speaker will say is the best way to deal with differences?

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Start With: Word Definition

Order: Alphabetical Random

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What makes you special? | Mariana Atencio | TEDxUniversityofNevada

Childhood, belonging, and a lesson about “the other” (00:00 – 07:52)

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1. What phrase did the speaker’s father repeat about the future?

“Practice makes perfect.”
“You never know what the future holds.”
“Always follow your dreams.”
“You can’t change where you come from.”

2. Why did the speaker decide to “put on a brave face” at summer camp?

She was afraid of getting sent home early.
She needed to take care of her little sister who cried every day.
She wanted to win a sports competition.
She wanted to become the camp director.

3. According to the speaker, what happens when we label someone as different?

It makes them more confident.
It dehumanizes them and turns them into “the other.”
It makes communication easier.
It guarantees we will become friends.

What makes you special? | Mariana Atencio | TEDxUniversityofNevada

Journalism, politics, and breaking out of “bubbles” (07:52 – 12:53)

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1. What event in Venezuela pushed the speaker toward leaving to pursue journalism elsewhere?

She lost a scholarship.
Her family moved to Europe for work.
The government shut down the biggest television station and censorship grew.
A hurricane destroyed her university.

2. What did the speaker hope when she covered Barack Obama’s election?

That people would stop voting.
That journalism would no longer be necessary.
That immigration would end completely.
That the U.S. would become “post-racial” and the idea of “us and them” would be eradicated.

3. Why did the speaker watch the 2016 election results with undocumented families?

They had the best TV coverage.
They were the group with the most to lose that night.
They could legally vote in the election.
They asked her to help them campaign.

What makes you special? | Mariana Atencio | TEDxUniversityofNevada

Trauma, recovery, and the call to celebrate differences (12:53 – 17:47)

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1. What did the doctors say was unlikely after the sister’s accident?

That she would ever remember her family.
That she would ever leave the hospital.
That she would ever walk again.
That she would ever speak again.

2. What was “the worst” part for the speaker during the ordeal?

The long drive to the studio.
The way people looked at her sister and were unable to see beyond the wheelchair.
Paying for medical bills.
Having to move to a new city.

3. What does the speaker say is the single thing everyone has in common?

Nationality
Education
Being human
Talent

What makes you special? | Mariana Atencio | TEDxUniversityofNevada

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1. What is the speaker’s main message about difference?

Differences only matter in childhood.
Differences are problems that must be eliminated.
Embracing your differences helps you appreciate others and connect as humans.
Differences should be hidden to avoid conflict.

2. Why does the speaker tell the audience to write what makes them different?

To prove that most people are the same
To decide which careers they should choose
To compare who is better than others
To begin embracing their traits as a first step toward appreciating others

3. What does the speaker suggest is necessary to escape social “bubbles”?

Real dialogue and respect, including seeing good on the other side
Avoiding politics completely
Only talking to people who agree with you
Using social media more effectively

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

What makes you special? | Mariana Atencio | TEDxUniversityofNevada

Do you agree that you sometimes have to “work at belonging”? Why or why not?
What are common ways people create “the other” in your community or country? How can that change?
The speaker says it takes courage to show respect to people who think differently. What does that look like in real life?
What is one “difference” you could celebrate more—in yourself or in someone close to you?