►
Description
Kevin Booker, Jr. moderates a panel discussion about how you can influence the direction of a town or city by being a part of the different committees and councils in the community. The panelists discuss why it is important that you have a seat at the table and make sure your voice is heard on decisions that will affect you and your family.
#communityconversation #grotonct
A
Good
evening,
everyone
good
evening
and
thank
you
for
coming
to
this
program
because
a
lot
of
times
in
life
when
I
was
thinking
about
this
program.
You
know
people
underestimate
others
and
they
underestimate
their
voice,
and
sometimes
people
silent
other
voices
as
well.
So
tonight
we're
going
to
get
a
little
bit
deep.
I'm
gonna
have
an
awesome
conversation,
because
I
really
am
honored
to
be
here
with
this
panel
tonight
and
of
their
wealth
of
knowledge
and
their
background
and
information.
They're
gonna
share
with
us
all.
So
do
not
underestimate
the
power
of
your
voice.
A
That's
what
we're
gonna
really
dig
a
little
bit
deep
into
today,
looking
tapping
into
our
inner
self
and
our
voice,
because
our
voices
and
our
passion
can
touch
many
lives.
So
I'll
start
with
Michael.
You
can
say
who
you
are
Michael,
and
you
know
just
a
few
words
about
yourself
and
your
passion
as
well.
B
My
name
is
Michael
Manson
I'm,
a
self-published
author,
I
wrote
a
book
a
few
years
ago
is
on
Amazon
Kindle
the
title
of
his
loyalty
in
love
and
I'm.
Also
a
father
of
five
and
I
also
give
back
to
my
community
by
doing
functions
like
this
and
speaking
up
for
the
people
that
don't
have
a
voice.
Thank
you.
A
B
E
A
Well,
that
was
16
years
old.
Someone
gave
me
a
quote
and
the
quote
was
titled,
get
comfortable,
being
uncomfortable,
get
comfortable
being
uncomfortable
and
a
lot
of
times
when
we
have
to
tap
into
our
inner
self
sometime,
it's
very
difficult
to
be
able
to
express
some
of
our
feelings
and
things
that
we're
dealing
with.
So
when
I
look
at
this
incredible
panel
this
evening,
the
question
that
comes
to
my
mind
is:
when
did
you
realize
that
your
voice
really
mattered?
A
You
know,
when
did
you
really
really
come
to
terms
with
the
fact
that
your
voice
matter
based
off
of
all
the
issues?
Does
this
that's
human
being
you
know
going
through
this
journey
on
this
planet?
We
all
have
a
lot
of
baggage
that
we
carry
right.
So
what
did
you
realize
Michael?
When
did
you
realize
that
your
voice
married
a
few.
B
With
my
background
and
now
I'm,
the
and
now
I'm
now
I'm
part
of
the
solution
and
I
spoke
about
mental
health.
I
was
very
important
about
having
mental
health
awareness,
especially
in
black
communities,
because
as
blacks,
we
don't
want
to
talk
about
issues
and
stuff
like
that.
So
when
I
spoke
about
my
story
after
the
cameras
was
off,
everybody
came
towards
me
and
say
you
know
we
want
to
work
with
you.
We
want
you
to
talk
to
kids.
So
that's
when
I
knew
my
voice
was
powerful.
Thank
You.
A
E
F
E
I
never
forgot
that
because
for
me,
I
didn't
understand
what
it
all
meant,
but
I
understood
that
it
was
something
powerful
and
something
that
I
needed
to
always
do,
and
it
wasn't
something
that
was
explained
to
me.
But
I
just
know.
When
voting
time
came.
It
was
what
going
to
the
polls
and
I
was
part
of
that
process
and
I
knew
exercising
as
she
was
exercising
her
voice.
I
knew
that
was
a
responsibility
that
I
also
needed
to
carry
out
when
I
got
older
as
well.
A
D
For
my
son
was
something
that
made
me
want
to
use
my
voice
more
there's
also
been
small
instances
along
the
line
that
have
made
me,
maybe
realize
more,
that
my
voice
was
impactful,
something
just
recently
Kevin
that
you
know
about
I
had
an
issue
with
this
school
that
my
son
goes
to,
went
in
and
spoke
to
the
principal
and
the
principal
actually
put
a
put
a
plan
in
place
to
make
a
change.
So
that
was
something
I
was
proud
of.
All
right.
I
am
proud
of.
Thank.
A
C
Well,
I
came
to
this
country
early
junior
high
school
and
as
an
immigrant
I
was
different
because
of
my
name
and
I
got
teased
about
it.
A
lot
but
as
I
began
to
read
more
and
people
were
drawn
to
me
because
I
was
smart,
so
I
realized
that
if
I'm
gonna
be
different
and
teased-
and
you
know
this
was
my
opportunity
to
really
speak
out
and
be
known.
C
A
Little
hesitant,
you
know
what
would
you
tell
your
younger
self
about
the
importance
of
using
your
voice,
because
for
some
of
the
listeners
that
may
be
watching,
this
show
they're,
probably
you
probably
do
have
eleven
year
old
or
ten
year
old,
who's
changing
the
channel
right
now
and
they're
like
this
is
kind
of
interesting.
So
what
would
you
tell
your
younger
self
about
the
use
of
your
voice
and
how
how
important
it
is.
D
Say
one
be
confident
with
your
voice
and
understand
that
your
voice
does
matter.
It's
probably
the
most
important
thing.
I
would
tell
my
my
younger
self
if
you're
passionate
about
something
be
confident
because
your
passion
will
show
people
will
see
your
passion
and
it
will
then
lead
other
people
to
have
passion
and
especially
with
younger
people.
When
adults
see
a
younger
person,
passionate
about
something
and
standing
up
for
something
it
motivates
them.
D
You,
a
child
I
think
has
even
more
of
an
ability
to
motivate
because
they
are
so
young
and
they
are
speaking
out
and
I.
Think
of
a
dull,
you
can
see
a
younger
person
speaking
out
and
being
strong
and
having
that
confidence
and
say
well,
if
a
11
year
old
or
a
10
year
old
can
do
it,
then
I
darn
sure
should
be
able
to
do
it.
But.
A
Can
I
play
devil's
advocate
just
for
one
moment?
Yes,
let's
say
if
I'm
11
years
old
right,
but
I'm
so
used
to
being
shut
down
by
an
adult.
You
know
you
know,
let's
say
if
I'm,
if
I'm
at
home
and
my
parents
always
say
it's
an
adult
conversation,
you
need
to
get
step
out
of
this
room
right
now,
if
I'm
at
school
and
then
I
am
at
school,
the
teachers
go,
you
know,
you're,
just
a
child.
You
know,
you
know
your
role,
know
your
place.
A
What
about
those
kids
who
deal
with
that
on
a
daily
basis
who
deal
with
this
is
phrase
now
we
call
adult
ism,
you
know
that
that
I
feel
more
superior
and
I.
Don't
know
if
I
want
to
really
hear
from
these
little
ones
and
they
also
psychologically
effects
children
to
make
them
not
want
to
use
their
voice.
Well,
what
advice
would
you
have
for
those
kids,
Michael
I.
F
B
So
we
know
kids
I
mean
age,
know,
meaning
thing
is
their
experiences,
their
knowledge
is,
you
know
what
you've
been
through
and
you
might
say:
okay,
11
year
old,
but
and
will
you
live
at?
You
can
see
a
lot
of
stuff
at
11
years,
old
I
saw
a
lot
of
stuff
growing
up
in
the
hearth
north
from
the
Hartford
and
I
was
very
experienced
about
certain
things
by
the
age
of
12.
You
know,
I
mean
so
I
will
tell
kids
just
keep
on
striving
for
greatness
know.
A
E
What
I
think
about
oh
and
and
I
guess
I'm
gonna
play
off
the
the
devil's
advocate
a
part
of
that
question.
You
know
which
is
every
child,
in
my
opinion,
or
in
my
experience,
has
at
least
one
person
in
their
life.
It
may
not
be
that
person
in
their
immediate
home.
It
might
be
someone
in
the
community,
it
could
be
a
mentor,
it
could
be
a
teacher.
It
could
be
another
friends,
a
friends
family,
their
set
of
parents
but
I.
A
D
If
you
stay
confident
and
continue
to
be
a
leader
and
use
your
voice,
there
is
an
adult
that
will
find
you
hear
you
and
support
you.
So
if
there's
ten
adults
that
say
don't
that
say
this
is
an
adult
conversation
or
you
know.
What
do
you
know
you're
a
kid
I
guarantee
you
there
will
be
an
adult
that
well
support
you
and
hear
what
you're
saying
thank.
C
So
my
advice
to
my
younger
self
would
be
to
advocate
for
yourself
every
chance
you
get
and
as
a
teacher
I
got
to
advocate
and
be
the
role
model
to
students
in
my
classroom
every
day,
Friday's
was
our
day
to
shut
the
door
and
have
serious
conversations
about
what
was
happening
because
I
got
the
paper.
Whatever
is
on
the
front
page,
that
was
our
conversation
or
what
was
happening
around
campus.
So
when
Chris
Brown
punched
on
Rihanna,
we
talked
about
violence
against
women
when
Ferguson
broke.
C
C
Access
to
guns
by
students,
because
I'm
really
passionate
about
that
and
I
do
not
believe
that
that
should
be
happening
in
the
classroom.
So
we
got
it
out.
I
encourage
every
one
of
my
students
to
write
a
research
report
every
year,
every
single
grade.
As
long
as
you
can
read,
you
can
write,
and
so
they
got
to
put
their
ideas
forth
and
they
knew
that
if
there
was
something
happening
they
could
come
to
me.
I
had
students
that
brought
pregnancy
to
me
and
they
wouldn't
even
let
their
own
parent
know.
C
A
You
talk
about
that
person
that
they
can
reach
out
to
many
of
you
on
this
panel
have
been
through
certain
obstacles
and
challenges.
You
know
those
little
those
little
pebbles
and
those
boulders
that
coming
our
way
hinder
us,
but
you
know
we
fall
and
then
we
got
to
work
ourselves
and
get
ourselves
back
up
yeah
through
all
those
obstacles.
You
know
what
what
was
that?
Turning
point
in
your
life,
you
know
when
you
just
hit
the
switch
just
came
on,
and
you
said
that
is
exactly
what
I
am
passionate
about.
Those
are
my
concerns.
A
A
E
And
I
and
I
say
that
Wow,
because
my
my
turning
point
really
happened
just
two
years
ago
and
it's
actually
one
of
the
the
book
that
I
referenced.
It's
the
chapter
in
that
book
that
I
wrote
is
defining
moments
and
I,
say
the
defining
moment
was
just
two
years
ago
and
where
I'm
heading
now
really
is
about
transformation,
because
why
I'm
passionate
about
it
is
because
someone
gave
me
an
opportunity
and
an
experience
that
allowed
me
to
free
from
a
lot
of
limitations
that
I
thought
I
had
and
in
reality
we
all
carry.
E
You
know
what
you
said:
we
all
carry
some
limitations
about
who
we
think
we
might
be
or
who
we
are,
or
maybe
someone
said
a
certain
thing
and
we
took
it
on
and
believed
it
and
the
reality
is
that's
none.
None
of
those
things
are
true
for
us.
It's
the
conversation
we
have
in
our
head.
That
can
be
probably
the
most
dangerous
conversation
at
times,
because
it's
a
lot
of
negative
chatter.
E
A
D
Me
it
was
becoming
a
father,
as
I
said
before,
not
only
wanting
to
make
the
world
a
better
place
for
him,
but
also
teach
him
to
be
a
leader
and
doing
that
by
example.
I
think
is
the
best
way.
So
when
I
go
out
and
volunteer
to
bring
him
with
me
as
much
as
possible
when
I
speak
to
him,
I
try
to
be
passionate
and,
and
let
him
know
that
he
can
make
a
change
and
show
him
how
he
can
make
a
change.
D
Also,
the
older
I
get
the
more
confident
I
became
in
my
voice
and
also
Kevin,
since
I've
met
you
and
the
very
real
conversations
we've
had
it's
given
me
confidence,
because
I
feel,
like
you've,
listened
to
me
and
show
me
that
a
what
I'm
thinking
has
has
some
some
I'm
right
in
it.
It
has
validity
and
you've
given
me
opportunities
to
volunteer
and
be
involved.
So
thank
you.
It's
like
just
like
tonight.
You
appreciate
it's
like
somebody
actually
does
care.
What
I
think
you
know
what
I
mean.
D
C
I
grew
up
when
I
came
to
this
country.
I
was
living
in
Brooklyn,
New,
York
and
I'll.
Never
forget
this.
It
was
in
the
80s
and
I
think
her
name
was
kitty.
Genovese,
the
woman
that
was
killed
in
that
courtyard
she
was
beat,
raped,
strangled
screaming
and
nobody
did
anything
about
it.
That
stayed
with
me
for
a
long
time
and
I
said
how
could
cuz
I
don't
know
if
you
know
our
courtyard
is
set
up.
You
know
those
apartments
all
the
way
around
and
this
woman
was
just
you
know,
horribly
assaulted.
C
She
died
and
nobody
did
anything
nobody
hurt
and
to
this
day
I
advocate
for
women
and
myself,
of
course,
I
mean
my
next-door
neighbor
I,
hear
them
yelling
and
screaming
I
call
the
cops.
I
mean
I'm
a
little
bit
fearful
that
retaliation,
but
I'm
still
gonna
call
the
cops
every
time
they
don't
do
a
lot,
but
I'm
just
gonna
do
my
part
to
look
out
for
women.
Cuz
I
want
somebody
look
out
for
me
and
my
daughters.
A
B
My
turning
point
was
three
years
ago
when
I
thought
about
come
in
so
because
I
had
an
alcohol
problem,
I
was
abusive,
I
used
all
my
kids,
mothers
and
I
felt
like
I
was
just
worthless,
like
I
wasn't
doing
nothing
in
life.
I
was
doing
more
harm
than
good
and
I.
Just
felt
like
it's
taking
myself
off
this
earth
will
make
the
plane
it
better
and
then
I
thought
I
told
myself,
like
that's
you
being
a
coward,
that's
a
coward
way
to
do
it.
B
So
I
decided
to
go
to
therapy
and
I
called
my
therapist
and
I
told
her
I
said:
I
have
a
problem
now
I'm
now
I'm
ready
to
admit
that
I'm,
the
problem
they're,
not
the
problem,
the
problem.
So
let's
fix
the
problem
and
I
told
her.
I
want
to
go
to
rapid
therapy
and
I
went
twice
a
week
and
I
dealt
with
my
alcoholism.
I
dealt
with
domestic
violence,
I
dealt
with
my
little
loaf
of
self-esteem,
and
so,
when
I,
when
I
got
that
help
and
I
turned
it
around.
B
So
when
I
did
say,
sorry
I
meant
it
because
the
best
of
the
best
apology
has
changed
behavior.
So
I
changed
my
my
behavior
and
to
go
back
to
what
the
lady
said.
I
went
to
it.
I
went
through
a
personality
transformation.
The
way
I
was
thinking.
The
way
I
was
living
was
wrong,
so
I
had
to
just
go
back
to
the
drawing
board
and
say:
okay
Mike.
Whatever
you
say:
it's
not
law,
then
walk
the
world.
I'll
evolve
around
Michael
Manson.
You
know
you
have
to
be
adult
to
agree
to
disagree.
B
Just
summed
up
stuff
that
I
wasn't
I
was
being
a
little
boy
and
I
always
tell
men,
because
you're,
30
or
40
I
don't
mean
a
grown
man.
You
could
be
a
boy
as
30
or
40
or
50
years
old
as
your
behavior.
So
that's
what
my
turning
point
three
years
ago
when
I
dealt
with
that
issue
and
now
I
feel
like
I,
could
help
other
men,
especially
black
men,
so
say
it's
okay
to
go
therapy,
it's
okay!
B
To
talk
about
stuff
that
we
don't
like
to
talk
about
racism
and
and
just
the
stuff
we've
been
through.
As
a
race,
you
know,
we've
been
through,
slavery,
went
through
Jim
Crow,
the
civil
rights,
the
crack
epidemic.
We
went
through
a
lot
there's
like
every
few
decades.
We
were
going
through
something,
and
we
made
it
this
far,
so
we
could
continue
to
make
it.
So
that's
what
that's
what
I
turn?
That's
my
turning
point
a
few
years
ago
now.
A
F
A
Know
so
for
those
individuals
out
there
who
are
saying
what
they're
saying
here,
some
of
the
things
that
those
turning
points
you
may
have
had,
but
I
think
people
they
just
put
on
this
mask.
You
know
behind
closed
doors
and
they
turn
up
that
light.
That's
the
real
bill.
They
haven't
really
changed.
What
advice
would
you
say
to
them?
What.
B
I
would
say
about
them,
especially
me:
I
have
I
I'm,
going
through
a
like
I
said,
I'm
still
going
through
a
personal
personality,
transformation
and
I'm.
You
know
every
day,
I'm
working
on
myself.
That's
everybody!
You
know
everybody
work
on
yourself,
see
you
die,
especially
you.
You
should
work
on
yourself.
They
see,
you
know
they
say
you
learn
something
new
every
day,
so
you're
working
yourself
every
day
so
for
the
people
will
say.
Well:
okay,
Mike!
You
was
domestic
violence.
You
got
arrested
over
ten
times.
B
You
speed
up
your
kids
Mother's,
you
know,
but
it's
like.
Okay,
that's
who
I
was
what
I've
been
doing
for
the
past
five
years,
I've
been
advocating
for
domestic
violence,
I've
been
letting
men
know
it's
not.
Okay,
to
put
your
hands
on
women.
I
was
just
was
in
fill
with
you
talking
to
13
and
14
year,
old,
kids
and
boys.
I'm
like
it's,
not
okay,
to
hit.
You
hit
you
pushing
in
on
a
woman
you're
a
coward
and
I.
B
Once
I
was
a
coward,
I,
don't
put
my
hands
and
that's
when
I
learned
how
to
agree
to
disagree
and
not
talk
with
my
hands.
I
could
talk
I,
don't
have
to
greet
you,
but
I
have
to
put
my
hands
the
right
of
usual,
quarterly
and
stuff
like
that.
So
for
the
people
to
say,
lepers,
don't
change
that!
Tell
you
something
a
lot
about
them.
They
don't
really
know
about
how
people
are
stuff
like
that.
A
Now,
what
advice
would
you
have
for
people
that
are
hesitant
to
maybe
even
express
their
opinions
even
vote
cause?
You
know
we
have
elections
coming
up
in
in
November,
November,
Tuesday,
November
5th.
You
know
about
issues
that
are
important
to
them,
because
a
lot
of
people
say
to
me.
You
know
and
I'm
question.
They
say
to
you
as
well.
You
know
nothing
ever
changes
or
why
should
I
really
even
speak
out
about
issues
that
I
know?
A
A
Don't
display
that
for
a
while
and
we
deal
with
all
this
baggage
and
we
you
know
and
as
astronauts
navigating
through
this
planet,
you
know
we
come
across
a
lot
of
things.
So
what
advice
would
you
have
for
them?
Who
have
lost
hope?
Because
when
we
were
children
we
have
that
hope
and
then,
as
we
get
older,
you
know
we
get
a
little
jaded
at
times.
So
what
advice
would
you
have
for
them
me.
B
F
B
Vice
that
I
would
have
that
they
need
to
do
look
up
history.
You
know
you
know,
as
at
one
time
we
had
black
Wall
Street
back
seven
years
after
the
Civil
War
and
from
1908,
but
from
1908
to
1928.
We
had
our
own
economy
had
our
own
town.
So
we
know
when
ask
blacks.
When
we
get
together,
we
could
do
stuff,
even
though
the
government
bombed
it
and
killed
them
out,
but
we
we
do
know
as
blacks.
When
we
come
together,
we
can
run
stuff.
B
F
B
That's
why
when,
if,
if,
if
you're,
if
whoever's
running
like,
for
example
in
Hartford,
we
have
not
had
a
black
mayor
since
1993
I
first
made
it
was
nineteen.
Our
first
mayor
was
1981.
So
from
1981
to
93
we
had
a
first
black
mayor,
a
man
and
then
from
87
to
93.
We
had
a
black
woman,
but
the
election
in
heart
first
started
in
1774,
so
you're
saying
1774
to
now
we
had
two
blacks
and
two
Hispanics.
B
So
when
we
did
have
Hispanics
and
blacks
in
the
office,
things
got
done
in
our
community
so
because
we
voted
to
get
them
in
so
interesti
is
we
had
whites?
So
if
you
want
something
done
in
your
community,
you
have
to
get
people
in
your
community
to
vote
and
have
someone
in
office
that
look
like
you.
It's
not
all
in
a
sad,
but
that's
how
it
goes.
People
look
out
for
their
own
people,
that's
just
how
it
miracle
is,
and
a
lot
of
people
don't
like
to
have
that
conversation,
but
we're
being
real.
A
A
Also
mentioned
that
you
know
based
off
of
economics,
you
know
whoever
has
the
money
gets
in
position
to
power.
So
then
I
start
thinking
about
those
other
individuals
right
right
who
say
well,
I
just
heard
what
Mike
just
said.
Why
should
I
vote
then?
Why
should
I
really
be
involved?
It's
gonna
be
it's
already
planned.
If
it's
already
mapped
out
I,
don't
know.
Why
should
not
really
be
involved
right?
A
D
D
I,
don't
think
that,
when
we're
advocating
for
a
cause
that
the
color
of
a
person's
skin
matters
I
just
think
that
whether
you're
white
black
brown,
if
we
all
truly
care
about
a
cause,
it
should
not
matter
what
the
color
of
your
skin
is
that
we
can
all
work
together
and
come
together
to
make
change.
That's
the
one
thing
that
I
would
agree
to
disagree
with
Morris,
but.
A
Someone
may
say
you
might
be
listening
right
now,
we're
going
oh,
but
in
my
community
I
see
just
poverty
and
destitute
and
everyone
that
looks
like
me,
you
know,
is
living
in
poverty.
I,
don't
see
any
changes,
you
know,
I
see.
You
know
what
I
look
at
when
I
watched
the
thirteenth
amendment
on
Netflix
and
I'm.
Looking
at
the
problem,
people
was
getting
incarcerated,
they
they
look
like
me
and
my
community
so
and
I
don't
really
see
us
unifying
to
help
the
causes
that
are
changing.
So
what
advice
do
we
have
for
them?.
D
I
think
my
point
is:
there's
people
that
are
outside
of
that
community,
that
care
and-
and
it's
I
think
it's
part
about
getting
out
of
your
comfort
zone.
So
if
say
for
you
Michael
for
you,
for
instance,
if
you
are
able
to
give
your
story
to
people
that
aren't
in
your
community,
there
might
be
people
that
are
from,
let's
say,
let's
say,
a
Caucasian
more
wealthy
community
that
actually
I've
had
some
of
the
same
struggles
as
you,
alcohol
being
abusive
to
women.
D
You
can
have
change
for
those
people
as
well
and
and
when
you,
when
they
hear
your
story
and
they're
like
oh,
my
gosh,
this
man,
that's
from
a
totally
different
community
than
me,
has
the
same
problems
as
me.
Now,
they're,
more
open
to
going
into
your
community
and
helping
to
make
change
and
now
there's
influences
from
all
over
is
I,
just
feel
that
once
people
get
out
of
their
comfort
zone
and
understand
the
confidence
in
their
voice,
it's
it's
not
restricted
to
one
particular
community
that
we
all
have
a
lot
of
the
same
problems.
So.
E
Well,
you
know
I,
yeah
and
I,
hear
both
both
of
what
they're,
saying
and
I
think
both
both
perspectives
are
true
and
when
I
go
back
to
your
original
question,
which
is
around
you
know,
how
do
you
help
people
see
that
there's
still
value
in
the
process
and
what
I
think
the
the
piece
is
that
as
human
beings,
people
want
to
be
heard,
people
want
to
be
seen,
they
want
to
be
they.
They
want
their
voice
to
matter,
and
it
goes
back
to
what
you
should
shared
earlier
Mike
about
the
to
me.
E
It's
it's
that
human
spirit.
You
know
the
human
spirit
always
holds
on
to
hope
they
there's
always
something.
So
when
you
were
talking
about
how
you
know
as
blacks
that
we've
we've
have
survived
so
many
negatives
in
society,
but
that
human
spirit,
and
that
will
to
want
more
and
that
will
to
want
to
do
better,
is
still
there
so
I
would
say
and
encourage
people
to
to
continue
to
hold
on
to
the
hope
and
and
be
part
of
the
process.
E
We
can't
make
an
assumption
that,
because
we
believe
this
person's
going
to
get
in
just
because
we
believe
that
person's
going
to
get
in
there
have
been
many
upsets
that
have
occurred
over
time
when
it
comes
to
the
outcomes
of
some
elections.
So
I
would
just
say
that
that
that's
what
I
would
hope
people
hold
on
to
sure.
E
A
C
F
C
You
are
not
speaking
up
you're
agreeing
about.
What's
going
on,
you
got
a
fight,
you
have
to
fight
for
what
you
want
nobody's
gonna,
give
it
to
you.
I
learned
hard
way
in
this
country.
You
gotta
go
take
power,
it's
not
gonna
come
knocking
on
your
door.
You
have
to
go
out
and
advocate,
and
you
know,
I
saw
this
when
I
was
a
teacher
here,
I'm
a
teacher
and
in
the
teachers
lounge
teachers
are
saying
they
don't
vote.
I
was
horrified
when
I
heard
and
I
said
to
myself.
F
C
Our
right
and
our
responsibility
to
ourself
in
our
community
to
exercise
that
power
of
the
vote,
so
many
people
died
for
it.
I
mean
voting
in
Jamaica
was
just
like
a
horror
story.
People
literally
got
shot
going
to
the
polls.
So
when
I
came
here
and
I
saw
oh,
they
just
walk
up
and
vote.
This
was
so
civilized.
You.
B
D
E
A
Going
back
to
what
you
said
Sheila,
you
know
people
died,
trying
to
vote
and
then
I
look
at
the
passion.
You
know
the
four
of
you
bring
to
the
table
and
what
I
think
about
passion,
I
think
about
issues
and
I.
Think
about
everything
all
that
you
know
all
that
stuff
that
we
carry
on
a
daily
basis.
How
do
you
stay
positive?
How
do
you
stay
motivated
and
encouraged
with
everything
going
on
at
social
media
everything
going
on
in
your
personal
life?
A
Well,
yeah
so
like,
how
do
you
do
it
and
what
tips
would
you
have
for
those
individuals
and
also
maybe
even
tips
for
individuals
that
are
sitting
among
you
right
now?
You
know
how
do
you
continue
to
move
forward
on
the
daily
basis
when
you
wake
up
in
the
morning?
You're
like
this
is
just
a
lot.
I'm
caring
I
feel
like
I
have
to
be
the
voice.
F
E
I'll
start
I'll
start
with
that
one.
The
first
thing-
and
this
is
just
you
know
my
my
ritual,
which
is
you
know,
I
start
off
my
my
day
with
gratitude,
and
this
is
something
that
I
really
took
to
heart
and
started
practicing
more
so
in
the
last
couple
of
years,
because
to
think
about,
as
you
said,
sort
of
the
weight
of
the
world
each
day.
E
This
I
have
at
least
the
minimum
is
10
things
that
I
express
my
gratitude
about
each
morning
and
that's
before
I
even
get
out
the
bed.
So
I'll
lay
there
until
I
and
I
say
them
out
loud
and
it
could
be
the
same
10
things
every
day
or
it
could
be
something
different
and
I
do
the
same.
10
before
I
go
I,
do
10
more
before
I
go
to
bed,
but
I'll
have
to
tell
you
I
smiled
when
you
asked
this
question,
because
this
is
a
part
of
a
conversation.
E
F
E
I
had
to
take
some
things
out
of
my
schedule
that
didn't
support
where
I
was
going
and
if
I'm
working
in
a
working
in
a
space
of
inspiring
people,
then
there
are
things
that
I
have
to
do
to
have
a
healthy
diet
for
myself.
So
for
me
you
know.
One
of
those
things
I
would
share
as
a
tip
is
to
think
about
your
environment
and
those
five
closest
people
to
you
and
that
circle
of
influence
to
me
is
really
important.
E
E
D
E
Social
media
butts
on
you,
know
television
and
sometimes
just
negative
toxic
people
in
your
circle.
That
will
be
there
to
just
speak
negatively
all
day
about
it,
and
so
for
me,
that's
that's
what
helps
me
and
your
conversations
change
in
your
circles.
Change
when
you
start
looking
at
your
outlook
a
lot
differently.
Thank.
B
Me
waking
up
is
half
the
battle.
For
me.
Waking
up
is
half
the
battle,
because
I
went
to
three
funerals:
I
lost
three
friends
to
gun,
violence
so
and
I
also
lost
some
girlfriends
and
she
had
a
heart
attack
in
her
sleep.
So
that's
my
thing:
I
wake
up
is
like
okay,
that's
half
the
battle.
So
then
I
drink,
my
ginger
tea,
I
stretch,
you
know,
I
mean
I
get
so
and
I
would
tell
someone
to
find
inspiration
from
someone
like
if
it's
Martin,
Luther
King
or
dr.
B
A
B
Day
and
and
that's
why
I
will
tell
people
find
a
quote,
find
somebody
inspired,
you
know
me
and
give
back.
That's
one
thing
about:
you
have
to
give
back
to
a
community
or
give
back
to
the
universe,
and
you
know
Karma's.
If
you
look
at
the
definition
of
karma
it's
not
about
it's,
not
bad.
When
you
hear
Karma's
old
Karma's,
no,
it's
not
negative
Karma's,
whatever
you
put
out
in
the
universe,
you're.
F
D
B
V
s
out,
PS
won't
come
back,
you
put
greatness
and
love
and
care,
and
you
will
get
that
response
back
and
that's
one
thing:
I
know
about
energy
in
an
universe
and
I
understand
that,
because
soon
as
I
started,
giving
love
and
and
and
great
energy
and
positive,
a
lot
of
stuff
came
back.
That's
how
I
met
this
man
right
here
and
he's.
He
introduced
me
to
all
these
great
people,
these
people
in
a
crowd.
So
like
she
said
you
changed
your
circle.
You
change
your
circumstances.
A
C
To
keep
myself
motivated,
I
try
to
eat
right,
I
really
do
and
I
exercise,
because
that
builds
me
up.
I
am
motivated
now
ready
to
take
on
the
world
and
I
have
a
strong
faith.
I
do
have
hope.
Always,
and
you
know,
like
sister
said,
you
cannot
stay
glued
to
the
TV,
because
there's
a
lot
of
negativity
coming
at
you,
so
sometimes
you
got
to
turn
it
off.
Walk
away,
literally,
walk
around
the
block
to
get
away
from
it.
You
know,
as
you
said,
get
a
different
type
class
of
friends.
F
D
Could
I
jump?
Please
please,
please
I
just
want
to
say
also,
you
know,
embrace
the
small
victories
and
understand
that,
even
if
you're,
just
taking
small
steps
forward,
those
will
lead
to
bigger
and
bigger
and
bigger
steps
so
never
deny.
Or
you
never
think
that
that
one
small
little
step
is
insignificant,
because
this
and
we'll
all
it
will
lead
to
bigger
and
bigger
and
better
things
as
long
as
you
embrace
it,
and
as
long
as
you
continue
with
those
small
steps
forward.
Yes,.
A
A
You
and
in
closing
right,
because
you
know
we're
talking
about
you,
know,
do
not
underestimate
the
power
of
your
voice
and
recently
in
the
past,
I
would
say
like
five
years.
You
know
I'm
a
professor
and
I
and
I
get
a
lot
of
my
students
walk
in
and
also
recently,
not
even
a
lot
of
adults
and
I
see
a
lot
of
them
suffering
with
anxiety
and
depression
and.
F
A
F
A
A
B
B
B
Grand
I'm
putting
out
there
like,
remember,
I,
told
you
about
energy
in
the
universe
and
I
felt
like
people
should
think
about
a
legacy.
You
know
you
wanna,
you
know
what
they're
gonna
say
you
know.
Are
you
gonna
go
down
in
history
for
being
positive
or
another
side
and
I
want
to
go
down
in
history?
Honest
Mike
started
off
rough,
but
he
ended
on
a
great
note
and
you
know
what
they
say:
it's
not
how
the
story
start.
It
is
how
the
story
ends.
C
D
If
you
just
help
one
person
or
you
make
a
change
within
one
person
now
that
person's
going
to
go
out
and
help
another
person
because
they're
stronger
because
of
you
and
then
that
person
is
going
to
impact
other
people
and
now
and
before
you
know
it
that
one
person
that
you
helped
has
turned
into
a
hundred
people,
and
it
just
takes
that
small
spark
that
one
step
that
small
little
what
people
might
think
insignificant,
actually
has
a
huge
impact.
I.
E
D
D
A
B
F
B
To
let
the
people
an
audience
the
panel
and
who's
watching?
If
you
have
issues
you
fill
in
depressed,
suicidal,
you
could
reach
out
to
your
local
establishments
like
behavior
health,
Willard,
Clinic,
the
village
and
and
people
feel
like
you
know
they
can't
afford
it.
That's
not
true.
Your
medical,
Medicaid
or
husky
will
cover
mental
health
Spence.
You
know
expenses.
So
a
lot
of
people
don't
know
that
mention
that
if
you
have
state
medical
or
Medicaid,
they
will
cover
mental
health.
So
I
want
to
let
everybody.
B
Very
important
because
that's
the
everybody
so
I
came
for
therapy
therapy.
So
much
I'm
like
no
I
got
it.
I
got
a
food
stamp
card
and
they
they
take
my
food.
You
know
they
take
the
medical
and
in
and
a
lot
of
people
shouldn't
know
that
and
I
feel
like
as
us
being
a
piano
and
being
in
a
community,
especially
you.
We
need
to
get
that
out.
Mental
20/20
should
be
the
year
of
mental
health
awareness
and
that's
why
I'm
doing
the
first-ever
pre-screening
Mental
Health
Day
in
Hartford.
B
It
might
be
the
first
one
in
Connecticut
and
you
might
say
what
is
that
that
will
that
mean
when
people
were
coming
to
room
like
this
and
I
will
have
therapists
on
the
spot
and
I
have
a
questionnaire
that
I
came
up
with
and
based
off
the
answers
that
therapists
will
know
how
to
deal
with
the
person
and
like
a
five
into
interview
and
and
then
after
that
they
will
move
on
to
the
Nishal
therapy
session,
because
when
you
first
meet
a
therapist
is
like
two
hours
such
day.
So
we
can't
do
two
hours
again.
B
You
know
a
lot
of
people
come
in,
so
that's
why
I
came
up
with
the
idea
to
have
between
five
to
ten
minutes
that
therapist
could
get
the
information
and
set
up
an
additional
appointment,
because
we
have
to
get
that
out
there
of
mental
health
awareness,
because
only
way
you
could
change
people,
you
have
to
change
the
way
they
think
and
we
have
to.
Let
them
know
that
the
way
you
live
in
is
now
right.
The
way
you
think
is
not
normal.
You.
B
B
Mean
they
got
murdered
and
they
had
kids,
so
you're,
saying
three
black
men
that
got
you
all
together.
It
was
like
four
or
five
kids
that
left
with
no
dad
and
there
and
they
probably
didn't,
go
to
therapy
to
talk
about
it.
They
probably
just
that,
would
it
at
home
and
started
school
year
without
of
dad
when
all
the
kids
was
coming
to
school,
with
their
parents
and
their
dads
was
there.
B
So
that's
why
it's
so
important
to
get
to
mental
health
out
their
mental
health
and
really
preach
this
okay
to
go
to
therapy,
it's
okay,
to
be
black
and
as
a
man
or
a
woman,
to
tell
how
you
feel
in
having
that
outside
support.
You
know,
sometimes
you
don't
feel
comfortable
telling
your
cousin
or
your
mom.
You
know!
So!
B
It's
okay
to
tell
a
stranger
because
my
law,
they
can't
tell
your
business
and
everybody
just
scared
these
days
about
their
business
of
you,
know
social
media
and
you
know
YouTube,
and
so
now
you
have
that
security.
Ass,
okay,
I
could
talk
to
my
therapist
and
shout
out
to
dorrance
she'd,
be
my
therapist
for
going
on
five
years
and
she's
the
best
and
that's
she
helped
me
become
Who.
I
am
today
how
I
can
have
this
conversation?
A
It's
such
an
honor
and
a
half
all
of
you
here
today,
so
when
closing
I
would
like
for
you
to
to
stay
your
name.
Okay,
I'll
start
with
you,
tarah
alright,
say
your
name
and
then
after
you
say
your
name,
you
said,
do
not
underestimate
the
power
of
my
voice
and
two
issues
that
you're
very
passionate
about.
Okay,
so
I
want
you
guys
to
really
really
think
about
that.
Okay,
so
you
say
your
name
and
two
issues
you
said:
do
not
underestimate
the
power
of
my
voice.
A
I
am
passionate
about
your
two
issues
that
you
really
really
resonate
with
you
for
sort
of
listeners
and
the
viewers
there
in
case
they
need
help
and
they're
thinking.
You
know
this
person
is
about
what
I'm
awesome,
what
I
believe
in
as
well,
because,
as
we
know,
we
have
to
continue
to
empower
our
communities
and
we
have
to
work
together.
A
A
D
So
do
not
underestimate
the
power
of
your
of
my
voice
and
I
am
passionate
about
diversity
and
people
coming
together
to
make
change
and
also
bringing
opportunity
to
those
that
are
less
fortunate.
I
believe
that
every
child
deserves
a
fair
and
equitable
equitable
opportunity
in
life
and
I
want
to
do
my
best
to
bring
opportunity
to
these
people.
C
B
A
A
This
event
that
we
have
today
it
is
such
an
honor
to
have
it
here
at
the
Groton,
Public
Library
and
also
I
just
want
to
say,
they're,
approximately
seven
and
a
half
billion
people
in
this
planet
about
seven
and
a
half
billion
people,
and
none
of
us
have
the
same
fingerprints,
which
means
that
we
are
all
uniquely
designed.
We
just
have
to
tap
into
our
greatness,
but
remember
we
can't
do
it
alone.