WiHood NYC 2013: Day at KIPP (Crown Heights, Brooklyn) and Soup Kitchen @St. Barts

It's not about me.

She likes being on camera. It's not about me, it's about you. I'm just a voice. I'm just a tool, like New York City is, right? I thought we'd keep this— we don't have to make this very long, because I think you said something to me that I thought was very good. You said that you're having reflections all day long.

I do. Yeah, all the time.

Yeah, why do you say it like that?

Because we are tired of thinking so much.

Is it because nobody's ever asked you to think about this stuff before and it's kind of heavy?

We have thought about it before, but you're saying this with attitude.

Where's the attitude coming from? Is it annoying?

No, what? No, it's not annoying. It's just that we have to think a lot, and some things we don't think. It's like we feel that we might get blame, but we're living a life that most people don't live. But we don't think it's— it was just like destiny. It wasn't something that we created or something that that we have—

you were born into it.

Yeah, we're just born into it. And whatever problems that exist in this society are not— aren't caused by us. But we have to answer now for those problems. And I don't think that people in our age group caused those problems.

So what do you decide to do then? What do you think? Should we just ignore it?

No, I'm not saying that we should ignore it, but—

It's not your problem?

No, I'm not saying that either. But instead of, you know, we keep on talking about problems all the time, even though we know that problems do exist, but what are we going to do about it?

It is your problem.

Yeah, but what are we going to do?

It's up to you to decide to do it. Don't you understand? These older generation, my age and older, they're the ones who created the problem that they're leaving behind for you.

Yeah.

And they don't care. They don't care. Ask. Ask saved some lives today. He found the food. Remember it was from— how old was that food? The old food. The expired food at the soup kitchen today?

Oh yeah, the cheese.

Cheese, exactly. And how old was that? It was from February or something. Yeah. Now there was somebody who didn't care. There was somebody who gave food knowing that that food was a month old. It expired a month ago, and they gave it to a soup kitchen. What are you going to do about it? Don't you understand? It is your generation. It's up to you guys. We're the ones who screwed everything up. We're the ones who are making all the money, leaving all the crap behind. Yeah, it's unfair. You were born into a wonderful situation, and you're also born into a crappy situation.

So those people who are causing problems, they still have like 20 years to live, and they will continue Continue doing whatever they're doing.

Unless you do something to get them gone. What are you going to do? You don't have the luxury. You can, you can, no, but you can choose to do nothing. But you have to be aware that you no longer can claim ignorance, because you're aware now. It's up to you to decide whether or not you want to do something about it. It's unfair. Heavy. Why can't I just have fun like they did and not care and just have a good time?

It should be a balance. We're not saying that we want to have fun all the time, because if you have fun all the time, you don't know what fun is. You have to have a balance. And it's not like people in Norway don't work, or we don't study, or we don't wake up and do whatever we're told to do, we do that too. But in Norway, we have another working culture, and that is that you work for a certain time and then you go out for holidays. And you can't blame people for that either.

And it produces what?

What does it produce?

It doesn't produce— what does it produce?

People who work and then they want something back. That you work for something and then you have a holiday.

Okay, so 2 weeks ago, Aftenposten came out with articles, right? Yeah. Um, there was a report done by the Central Bank of Norway, and it said that Norway's efficiency production of employees, people working, people work 65% of the time. So if you're supposed to work 37 hours a week, Norwegians actually work 65% of the 37 hours a week. Average Norwegian. Norway, Norwegians are less productive than people in Greece. Less productive than the people of Greece. So this whole image of we work hard and therefore we have the right to go to the Hütte, it's crap. 65% of 35 to 37 is something around 19.

How do you measure the productivity of—

Well, ask the Norwegian bank, Norges Bank, but nobody questions Norges Bank. Morgensveit. 19 hours a week is what the average Norwegian is putting in, and they're getting paid a full salary.

But if it works, why?

Define works. One-third of everybody in Norway is sick notes. One-third of everybody in Norway is on sick leave and getting funded by NAF because they're on sick leave. The other third works for the government, and the other third works in a private company.

So we are actually discussing like issues that we can't solve, something that is above us, like not above like No, these are your problems. Is this politics? What are we— I don't understand.

We're discussing reality.

But how can we change the system? Do we have to wait until we grow up and we have—

Do something now! Why do you have to wait?

I'm asking you, what are we supposed to do?

What do you want to do? That's what we can't figure out.

We don't know what to do.

Do something. If you're passionate and you feel that the system should be changed, or sit back and milk it. Like everybody else. The point of you being here is to wake up and realize that, hey, there is a problem. Hey, there is a choice. It's too easy to sit back and enjoy it. It's not working. As long as the oil's flowing, oil has value, everybody can sit back and have a good time. But it doesn't work. 19 hours a week is not a work week. Is that the values you want to give your kids? I put in 19 hours a week, let's go to the Hitter. Shit. Be embarrassed. You're the generation, you guys are the ones, not even generation, you are the individuals who can benefit from this. By you knowing the facts of what's going on, you can create new opportunities. You can be the leader, the role model. Do you want to be? Or do you just want to wear, you know, Canadian Goose and Jordan's? You can. But then it's your fault when you have no other opportunities and you're just like everybody else. It's not a political discussion, it's a life discussion. 1 out of every 3 people walking the streets of Norway is on sick leave being funded by the government. That's embarrassing.

Yeah, but they wouldn't be if the government wasn't like that.

But it is.

And people, people start making excuses if they know they can get money.

Yeah, but isn't that— yes, but isn't that embarrassing that one every three Norwegians think it's their right to suck the government dry?

Yeah, but when they make it so easy, people here will do the same. They don't have that. The government doesn't have that much money to give away, right?

It's human nature.

Yeah, yeah, it is.

So what choice will you do? What are you going to be? Or do you just follow what everybody else does?

I don't know what everyone else does.

They suck.

I'm not going to go for a seat, man, just because I can get it.

What do you want to be? Ignoring all the stuff that everybody else is doing, those people ain't doing much. You seem very frustrated, and you should be. It's not fair, but you have a choice to be something, or you can be like everybody else. Which is fine, right? It's good. Doesn't work. Insustainable. What are you going to be? You cannot claim ignorance anymore. You cannot say, oh, somebody else created this problem, it's too big for me. Every solution starts with one person. You can make the difference. It takes a lot of work, but you have the opportunity. Who are the teenage role models in Norway? Are there any teenage role models in Norway? People 16, 17 years old? Anybody? Who are the general role models in Norway that everybody looks up to? Can you name some Norwegian people who go, "Oh, I want to be like him"? That says a lot, doesn't it? How come there's no role models? That's an opportunity.

But what, what should we change how people think?

What do you, what do you want? How do you want your country to be?

That's what I don't understand. How do you want things to be if people think that Norway is a good country? But we think now we're discussing all the bad things about Norway, so why should we try and change places like, for example, New York? West Virginia, New York, if Norway isn't good? Norway isn't good either. What is good? Does any good country exist at all?

Norway has tremendous amounts of resources. Norway has funded this trip. Norway invests in kids. Norway allows you to take a risk, and if you fall down and don't succeed, you can get up and and try again.

Yeah, isn't that good?

That's fantastic.

So why are we talking bad about Norway if that's something that people should have? That means that America is failing, not Norway.

That picture I just painted is a picture for somebody who wants to do something, who's doing something. You're looking at things in black and white. Is it good or is it bad? Tell me what I should do in these very general terms. You're keeping everything too up. Go specific to you. Here you have a country that's funding you to be here. You have a country that believes in you. What are you going to do with it? What are you going to do with it? Stop blaming the big picture. What are you going to do? What are you going to do? Why is that picture so scary that you cannot hide? Why is there one freaking role model in the whole country? Why doesn't somebody step up? Why don't you step up?

Maybe we would have found a role model in Norway if we didn't come to New York. Because now we meet great people here, but I guess there are great people in Norway too, but we don't go there and search.

Role models should be present throughout the entire culture. You just left Norway 3 days ago, and you guys can't name one role model.

Yeah, the janitor at our school, he's a role model. I think so. Yeah, Sørdal.

What's his story?

I don't know his story, but I know that our school is really big compared to other Norwegian schools, and he takes time to actually do what we do, are trying to do here. He talks to everyone, he remembers everyone, he looks everyone in the eye, and he's always happy. And he comes to the school first and he leaves the school, um, then he's the last one to leave. And he, he, he's doing some real hard work, but he's still smiling and he talks to all the students. And yeah.

I think that's a great story.

It's just that we don't think that way, but everyone likes him and everyone respects him.

So he is a role model.

Yeah, he's a role model.

It's a shame you can't name any, uh, people in government or teachers or engineers or somebody.

Yes, I have a teacher too.

Okay.

His name is Aysan, and he— but he went to France this year, and he was a great teacher.

He's not there anymore?

No, he is— he retired, but he still comes, you know, even after he got retired. His biology class, they didn't get, um, or they only had a substitute. For about 2 months, but he came from France to give his class, some classes.

So in both—

To continue his work even though he retired.

So in both your examples of role models are 2 individuals who both give more than what their job describes.

Yeah.

What do you give? Or what have you been giving? Have you been doing just enough with society and what school demands?

No, we— everyone sitting here, we do more than school wants us to do or asks us to do.

And what more will you do after this trip?

Of course more.

What? Where's your head?

I would personally talk more to people, yeah. Be more open. Look everyone in the eye. Be more open-minded. And if people don't act nice to you, you can still be nice. You don't have to get mad, or you don't have to make distance just because you get ignored once or twice. Because you don't know their story. And that's what we learn here, I think. But some things are easy to say in New York but won't be the same back home. Because if you say, like, here you can say hello to everyone on the street, but in Norway, if you do that, you will see the same person again and again and again, like, every day. But let's say you have— you're having a good day and say hello to someone, and the next time you might have a bad day and you don't notice that person, and that person be like, okay, that freak said hey to me like last time but not this time. So you might be a bit weird.

So you're having a bad day? Everybody's allowed to have a bad day. What do you care what other people think?

That's how I think, that's how humans are, because our identity is actually made through what other people think for you. You can't stay who you are if you are not connected to other people.

You are who you believe you are.

You can't just stand alone in a room and just say that I am this person.

You are who you believe you are, regardless of what other people think. You control your future, and if you worry about what other people say about you, then you are— you're putting a value of you based on what other people think. Then you're just like everybody else. Where is your passion? Where is your drive? Where is your identity? Where do you want things to be? You don't like these type of questions, do you?

I don't understand these type of questions.

You don't understand the power that you have. Why did Guru Roga make such an investment in all of you? What do you think Guru Roga wants back? He wants nothing back for himself. Does he think he wants you guys to come back and try, and if it doesn't work, "Oh well, I tried." You went to school with 1,700 people and 5 of you were chosen out of 1,700? How hard do you think you're gonna try to change or be something when you get back? How much payback is that? 5 out of 1,700, congratulations! That's huge! You ever look at it that way? Only 5 out of 1,700? I'm one of them. That's like hitting lotto. You guys are committed for life. It's not about Norway being good or Norway being bad. It's about what are you going to do for the rest of your life and why. We're only using New York, remember? It's not about New York good, Norway bad. It's bullshit. That's a horrible way of looking at the world.

We always compare the places. That's what we do all the time.

Of course, so that we understand and see ourselves differently. But we're not saying this is good and this is bad. You're using the contrast so that you understand and see the differences in the thing in between. The world is not black and white. It's not either or. It's all about you. Every time you experience something and see something, it's about you. What does this mean to me? How am I going to use this? Where am I going with this? There's no one stopping you. If anything, they just dumped a ton of money on you to be here. What you do is up to you. Go back to Mama Papa.

Mama Papa. Yeah, I'm gonna go back to Mama and Dad. Of course, I'm not gonna leave home and start again.

You're being black and white. Who are you to be? Same person?

You're never the same person. Everyone change, and we change because we got this experience.

Who are you to be? Stop talking in generals. What is it? Why do you stay in generals? How come the 'the' picture, 'the' you You, you, you, you, you don't talk about you. You talk in general. You talk about other things in abstract. Who are you? Who do you want society to see? You're in control of that. The same way Debra, Vance, and Derek. They're in control, and they make you really impressive. Same way those little kids today were extremely impressive. You keep smiling. Why? You're in disagreement.

No. Why?

Why smile?

Because I like to smile. That's the new me. Smiling is a good thing.

You're not getting it. You're running from you.

I don't know what you mean by that, to be honest.

You're not going someplace that makes you uncomfortable. You keep on talking in the abstract.

So what should I do?

What do you feel?

That's what I'm talking about. You keep on thinking.

What do you feel?

Of course there's a lot of frustration because I don't know what to do. I don't know how to survive.

But that's the beginning.

What?

But that's the beginning. The journey you on is your own. Whether you choose to do something with it or not, it's up to you. But realize you're 5 out of 1,700. You have a huge opportunity. Do something with it. You saw a lot of people today who didn't have any chance, and they have no opportunities. They got one chance, and that is KIPP. What happened if they blow it? Drugs, robbing, kids. It's— in that neighborhood, you got no chance. And that little guy, 4 AM every morning. Holy crap, 4 AM. Keep it in mind. Tomorrow we have an easy morning and then we have an intense afternoon. It's fun, different. And you'll ask yourself, what am I supposed to do again? This is a youth center for teenage people who are not accepted in society because they're gay, lesbian, or transsexual, which means they don't know what sex they are. So when we were there last year, I met some people. I didn't know they were a guy or a girl. It didn't matter. I could not tell. And one of the cool things they have, they have a, they have a closet full of clothes, tons and tons of clothes, and they allow teenagers to come in and get dressed up. If it's a guy, get dressed up as a girl and walk around as a girl, because if they do that in their own home, their mother or father will kill them. But if you know that you aren't the sex that you are, where can you be who you are? So this center has this closet that allows them to get dressed and dress the way they feel is natural, and that's how they walk around. They see who the people are. They see— they allow you to be you. And that's one of the lessons you're going to learn tomorrow, and a whole bunch of other lessons. And it's going to help you to understand you a little bit better. All these different things are uncomfortable, but they help you to understand what you could do better. It's not supposed to be easy, and it's supposed to be frustrating. That's life. Or you can take the Hittite path, and then it's supposed to be easy, but then you have a 75% divorce rate. That's not easy. You have a choice. Anybody want to say anything? Your life, your words. Say it. What? Anything? You can be pissed at me, it's okay.

I'm not pissed. I don't get pissed by talking or listening to people.

Anybody want to say anything?