Skip to content
Home » ‘We the People’ – The Three Most Misunderstood Words in US History: Mark Charles (Transcript)

‘We the People’ – The Three Most Misunderstood Words in US History: Mark Charles (Transcript)

Here is the full transcript of Mark Charles’ talk titled “‘We the People’ – The Three Most Misunderstood Words in US History” at TEDxTysons conference.

In this TEDx talk, Mark Charles discusses the deep-rooted issues of racism, sexism, and white supremacy in the foundations of the United States. He begins by reflecting on his Navajo heritage and the matrilineal nature of his culture, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the historical lands of indigenous peoples. Charles critically analyzes the Doctrine of Discovery and its role in justifying European colonization and dehumanization of non-European peoples.

He highlights the systemic racism and sexism embedded in the U.S. Constitution and founding documents, demonstrating how these have perpetuated inequality and exclusion of minority groups. Charles critiques both major political parties in the U.S. for perpetuating white supremacy, as evidenced in the 2016 presidential election. He advocates for the creation of a common national memory to address the country’s history of oppression and calls for a national dialogue on race, gender, and class, similar to truth and reconciliation commissions in other countries.

Finally, Charles urges the audience to learn from indigenous wisdom and to work towards a future where “We the People” truly includes all people.

Listen to the audio version here:

TRANSCRIPT:

Introduction to Navajo Culture and Identity

In the Navajo culture, when you introduce yourself, you always name your four clans. We’re a matrilineal people, and our identities come from our mother’s mother. Now, my mother’s mother happens to be American of Dutch heritage, and so I say, “Sin B’ke Den’eh,” initially, which translated means, “I’m from the Wooden Shoe People.” My second clan, my father’s mother, is “Toa Higlini,” which is the waters that flow together.

My third clan, my mother’s father, is also “Sin B’ke Den’eh.” And my fourth clan, my father’s father, is “Toa Higlini,” and that’s the Bitterwater clan.