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So moving forward, we
will educate ourselves

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and lead with a
listening and open heart.

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00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:47,050
to experiences
other than our own,

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And regardless of
what anyone says to me

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about new cultures,
open our minds

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influential platform
to educate further,

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inform, and hopefully
encourage growth within us all.

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And I would not be able to
do Kalen Reacts or #OMKalen

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and who I am soon to become.

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We're resilient.

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My Blackness is essential
to who I am, what I do,

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know that I can be whatever I
want to be and still be Black.

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We still make poetry.

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I mean, my granny picked cotton.

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is rooted in my Blackness.

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We still sing.

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And I'm so proud to be Black.

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And I can assure you
that we will always

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So no matter what
we do in this life,

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help shape me as a Black man
and help me garner the best

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of being Black to the
history of my people

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no matter what I
do in this life,

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Alliance, Greek life.

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And it means that much
more when we prove

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really empowered me and allowed
me to feel strong and proud

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that I had with
other Black people

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And I-- just the camaraderie
and the community

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We are all so unique and so,
so special in our own way

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about everything that I did.

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Although we shouldn't
have to prove ourselves,

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Black people are not a monolith.

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but survived, fought for
the right to vote, survived.

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for me was "y'all," like, and
I was-- because I was alone.

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Systematically, Black people
aren't meant to be successful.

35
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without it.

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I would get so
frustrated with my hair

37
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next time someone says
to you "you talk white,"

38
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of American citizens, especially
those that built this country,

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And I vividly remember
when she said to me,

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that statement to be a myth.

41
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have reminded me
of that reality.

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as other people.

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My daughter came
home from day care

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that we each bring something
different to the table.

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I just look down
my family lineage.

46
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And we can agree to disagree on
how someone seizes their food,

47
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who has been instrumental
throughout my life.

48
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And when it comes to
the rights, freedoms,

49
00:04:03,370 --> 00:04:04,920
I had a Black
teacher, Mrs. Forbes,

50
00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:09,830
wouldn't afford me the same
luxuries or opportunities

51
00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:01,770
were not surprising as I am
not oblivious to the fact

52
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And the key word there for me--
that triggered everything there

53
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there is power in Black
unity and in Black success.

54
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However, it was disappointing.

55
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I saw how impactful my success
could be on my community.

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apart.

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00:06:17,350 --> 00:06:19,660
they prefer I showcase.

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But know that I will always
use this powerful and highly

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down and explained to me
the importance of Black hair

60
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was this kid that lived
down the street from me--

61
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that uplifted the Black
voice, like Black Student

62
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and told me a non-Black
classmate told her

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I want you to look at them and
say, what is talking white?

64
00:03:44,100 --> 00:03:46,410
I realized my Black
is essential when

65
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laugh, have fun,
and be entertained,

66
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of the years of struggle
and hardship, somehow

67
00:06:22,450 --> 00:06:24,830
my purpose, and
the content I make.

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And all those stories that
I've been told as well, too,

69
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My comedy, laughter,
joy, and entire being

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and where we've come from.

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And no one gets to pick and
choose which parts of me

72
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And I would always see
white girls in the class

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we still laugh.

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We still dance.

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I realized I was
Black when I went

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Out of all of the
oppression, all

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take my Blackness away from me.

78
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So after that happened, my mom
finally had enough and sat me

79
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as that's just who I am.

80
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I've spent a lot of time
reflecting on who I am,

81
00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:13,310
and was like, yeah, like, my
memaw doesn't like me playing

82
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because it kept bothering me.

83
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I'm going to be Black at the end
of the day and letting everyone

84
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Black because you never forget.

85
00:04:18,029 --> 00:04:20,459
And it reminded me
that no one could ever

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I got to college, and I
started to join organizations

87
00:05:14,610 --> 00:05:18,790
The whole country was built
on the backs of Black people.

88
00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:49,170
I date so much of
all of my attributes

89
00:02:32,090 --> 00:02:36,380
And hearing anything like that
was hurtful each and every

90
00:02:26,150 --> 00:02:28,760
like, you're like
an Oreo, or you're

91
00:03:25,100 --> 00:03:27,470
with four other Black girls
because he couldn't tell us

92
00:01:50,310 --> 00:01:53,390
that I could still
be the next hashtag.

93
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And in these past few
weeks, many people

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You never really had
to realize that you're

95
00:02:18,020 --> 00:02:19,970
of the kids looked like me.

96
00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:08,720
and there was one Saturday when
he looked through the window

97
00:03:22,790 --> 00:03:25,100
My old boss used
to rotate my name

98
00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:32,090
really pretty for a Black
girl, or you talk white.

99
00:02:48,470 --> 00:02:50,190
chop off their hair.

100
00:03:34,670 --> 00:03:36,718
her feel bad about herself.

101
00:02:39,260 --> 00:02:41,840
because it looked completely
different than that

102
00:03:13,310 --> 00:03:14,660
with y'all.

103
00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:04,140
attributes of what Black is.

104
00:02:56,355 --> 00:02:58,730
and, you know, how to take
care of it and how to love it.

105
00:05:06,150 --> 00:05:09,060
I see my grandparents went
through segregated schools

106
00:02:58,730 --> 00:03:01,700
You know, when I was
a child and there

107
00:02:14,090 --> 00:02:18,020
to a predominantly white
elementary school and none

108
00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:43,070
of my white classmates.

109
00:02:23,900 --> 00:02:26,150
I would hear all sorts
of microaggressions,

110
00:02:01,100 --> 00:02:02,750
Now, I do not
necessarily remember

111
00:02:19,970 --> 00:02:23,900
And I remember thinking,
like, wow, this is different.

112
00:02:43,070 --> 00:02:45,022
I actually chopped
off a piece of my hair

113
00:03:32,630 --> 00:03:34,670
her braids weren't
beautiful, and they made

114
00:01:45,690 --> 00:01:48,660
and have had my share of
privileges and opportunities.

115
00:01:48,660 --> 00:01:50,310
But that does not
negate the fact

116
00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:06,680
but I've always known
that the color of my skin

117
00:02:36,380 --> 00:02:37,430
time.

118
00:01:12,540 --> 00:01:15,360
would make someone turn
against me, regardless

119
00:01:34,770 --> 00:01:37,110
but when it comes to the
fundamental human rights

120
00:00:31,430 --> 00:00:33,600
And despite my ability
to put on for the camera,

121
00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:17,600
of how many times
I've made them laugh,

122
00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:51,300
than I have in my entire life.

123
00:01:41,530 --> 00:01:43,800
I do not and will not waver.

124
00:01:30,150 --> 00:01:31,440
and what is right.

125
00:02:02,750 --> 00:02:04,400
the moment I
realized I was Black,

126
00:00:28,290 --> 00:00:31,430
It has challenged us mentally,
physically, and emotionally.

127
00:01:26,670 --> 00:01:30,150
and equality of my people, I
will always stand up for us

128
00:01:43,800 --> 00:01:45,690
And I understand that
I am very blessed

129
00:01:19,890 --> 00:01:24,610
So, for those of you who
haven't noticed, I am Black.

130
00:01:01,770 --> 00:01:03,660
that racism still exists.

131
00:00:51,300 --> 00:00:54,150
I've been bombarded with racist
comments, direct messages

132
00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:41,360
and I never take any
moment for granted.

133
00:00:15,120 --> 00:00:17,330
the finale of our third season.

134
00:01:05,598 --> 00:01:07,140
It was disappointing
that speaking up

135
00:00:44,010 --> 00:00:46,320
I am not solely here
to make you laugh.

136
00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:19,890
feel joy, or brightened
up their day.

137
00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:49,440
In these past couple of weeks,
I have encountered more racism

138
00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:36,330
I too have felt the ripple
of our most recent events.

139
00:01:07,140 --> 00:01:10,560
against racial injustice and
systemic racism, which directly

140
00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:12,540
affects me on a
day-to-day basis,

141
00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:23,822
all, who I consider my
friends, my family, because we

142
00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:44,010
But as grateful as I am, I
want to clarify one thing.

143
00:00:54,150 --> 00:00:57,440
and mentions that I found
myself in a dark place.

144
00:00:00,500 --> 00:00:01,680
My Black is essential.

145
00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:59,280
And as a Black gay
man, these responses

146
00:00:18,750 --> 00:00:20,400
I've decided to
address it to you

147
00:00:36,330 --> 00:00:39,000
It is an absolute blessing
and pleasure to do what I do,

148
00:00:23,822 --> 00:00:26,280
as a collective this year have
experienced some of our most

149
00:00:10,230 --> 00:00:13,020
Now, I've been hosting #OMKalen
for 2 and 1/2 years now,

150
00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:28,290
challenging and trying times.

151
00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:57,220
or tries to do to me, I am
proud to be who I am because--

152
00:00:17,330 --> 00:00:18,750
And for this season
three finale,

153
00:00:13,020 --> 00:00:15,120
and it's crazy to think
that today's episode is

154
00:00:08,350 --> 00:00:10,230
Happy SaturKay.

155
00:00:01,680 --> 00:00:04,452
[MUSIC PLAYING]

156
00:06:57,220 --> 00:07:00,150
My Black is essential.

157
00:00:07,230 --> 00:00:08,350
Hello, everyone.