My identity is a superpower -- not an obstacle | America Ferrera | TED

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Published 2019-06-21

Hollywood needs to stop resisting what the world actually looks like, says actor, director and activist America Ferrera. Tracing the contours of her career, she calls for more authentic representation of different cultures in media -- and a shift in how we tell our stories. "Presence creates possibility," she says. "Who we see thriving in the world teaches us how to see ourselves, how to think about our own value, how to dream about our futures."

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All Comments (21)

@sallycravens2767 9 months ago

Thank you Ryan Gosling for introducing this to the viewers. I love this, and I love America.
@andrewcampbell-bluespianop6741 4 years ago

“I didn’t need my dream to be easy, I needed it to be possible”...I like that!
@lancecdcw 8 months ago

I knew America Ferrera is a super-talented queen, but I didn't know she did a TED Talk in 2019. Thanks for mentioning it in the Barbie interview, Ryan Gosling! America did an amazing job, and it spoke to me!
@bereniceontiveros9835 9 months ago

I’m here for Ryan Gosling, I’m staying for America Ferrera
@andyt9677 3 years ago

"I was never actually asking the system to change. I was asking it to let me in and those aren't the same thing." So powerful
@mochaest1994 9 months ago

I couldn’t think of a more perfect choice for the human in the Barbie Movie ! Your message still stands and resonates with me. I’m fat brown and poor but still going to college to perfect my artistic talents
@songbird6414 9 months ago

And now she’s had some incredibly iconic roles. I know for me she was part of my childhood as Astrid from HTTYD, and then part of my adolescent life as Amy from Superstore. I couldn’t be a bigger fan.
@argeliag759 9 months ago

“Our systems don’t have to create a new reality, They have to stop resisting the one that they already live in “
@jriversher 6 months ago

"I didn't need my dream to be easy, I just needed it to be possible" That. Right there. Got me emotional.
@justinb813 8 months ago

What a beautifully refined educated woman I truly love her as an actress and a person.
@bethanymears 8 months ago

I’m so glad people are finding this! I’ve watched this over and over for years and I felt like no one knew about it
@kavithagunasekaran8492 4 years ago

I felt pain and courage at the same time but overall it's just empowering
@kidcaptainwembri 9 months ago

Presence creates possibility Such a powerful message, so well written and delivered
@jenniferfrias5912 2 years ago

"I'm ready to stop resisting and start existing as my full authentic self" -- this statement really struck me. So powerful!
@jeremiahrandle3043 9 months ago

Me watching this after Ryan gosling said he did, in a Barbie interview and America was so happy about it
@arjyahi 8 months ago

So grateful to Ryan Gosling for introducing us to this. And America Ferrera, you are phenomenal.
@alainaelysse9920 4 years ago

Some of ya'll are totally missing the point. She's speaking on the fact that we ARE judged (initially) by how people SEE us, not our character. You can't even get to the part where people can judge you by your character when they write you off as soon as they look at you. And that there are people (from many backgrounds and races, including whites) who will try to conform to society's standards in order to fit in and get the job, the partner, whatever. And she's right. She's acknowledging the reality we live in, while saying that the way to change it (specifically in the world of Hollywood), is to stop pretending as if we are not all different, but to embrace the differences, and have those differences reflected in media. And I don't see a millionaire complaining. I see someone with a different point of view sharing her experience with an industry she knows about more than the rest of us.
@amourtoujours779 3 years ago

I love the way she connects with the audience.
@spainbarcafootyfan 2 years ago

I love America, she inspires me so much. She’s kind of playing herself as Amy in Superstore, smart, charismatic and passionate about the right things. That’s why she made it far both in the show in corporate and in real life as an actress/producer/director. :))
@amedic2312 4 years ago

I didn't needed my dream to be easy , I just wanted it to be possible. Such beautiful lines.