This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Simone Reyes shares with passion her combat for animal rights and elaborates how we can all be activist in our own right.
She says: “I may be a woman, a friend, a daughter, a partner, or an executive, but I will always be an activist first”
Credit: all media are creative common or belong to the speaker
Simone Reyes was the breakout star of Oxygen's reality tv show "Running Russell Simmons" and became an overnight hero in the animal rights community.
She has been entertainment mogul Russell Simmons’ right hand woman since graduating high school and has often been affectionately referred to as the "Boss" by Simmons himself. Recently PETA 's Animal Rahat Sanctuary in India was officially given a new name "Simone’s Place" in honor of Simone's tireless dedication to the animal rights cause.
Last year she traveled to Taiji, Japan as a Sea Shepherd Cove Guardian to report on and document the atrocities of the dolphin drives. Simone has been featured extensively in print, radio and television media using her image and voice to inspire, motivate, mobilize and guide people who care about the treatment of animals but don't know where to begin to create real change for them.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Lily Tomlin once said, "Somebody
should do something about that." But then I realized, "I am somebody." I had my first "aha, I am somebody" moment
when I was walking down the street, in my native New York city, and happened upon
what I can only describe as a pulsating, brown, furry, and yet kind of slimy
little ball at my feet, that was in grave danger
of being smashed to bits by a very angry sanitation worker,
with a very large shovel. I had no idea what this little
alien thing was, but instinc
tively, I threw myself on top of it,
screaming, "No, no, no, no, no! I'll take it." Of course the guy thought
I was totally nuts, but I did, and took this little ball, and I put it
in a box, and I took it to Central Park, and I sat there staring at it for a couple
of hours, not knowing what to do. And all of a sudden,
the box started to move, and the flaps on the top
of the box opened, and not one, but two beautiful bats
flew out over my head and into the night sky. Apparently, what had happened
,
or it's the best guess of the experts, is that two bats had become
stuck together in the throws of passion - (Laughter) - and fallen from a rooftop somewhere,
and landed at my feet. So, for me, I didn't know
what this little thing was, but it was pulsating, right? So that meant it must have had a pulse,
which would mean probably a heartbeat, which would mean it could suffer. And that just wasn't going to happen
on my watch. So, I don't know what makes some people
watchers and other people doer
s. I don't know what plants a seed
that blossoms into a calling. I do know that, for me, it's a compulsion, to speak for those
that cannot speak for themselves. Uncomfortable, though, it may be for somebody who never
raised her hand in class, hated to be called on to read aloud, and was described by every teacher
as "painfully shy." I guess something in me
must have connected to those that seemed invisible and voiceless. Perhaps, something in me
saw myself as one of them, needing rescue and a vo
ice. All I know is I have no choice
in the matter anymore. I was born for this, and I raise my hand
for animals every chance I get. I remember the first time
that I was shown footage obtained by undercover investigators, of how animals had suffered and died
for my dinner, my clothing, my entertainment, and my
well-intentioned charitable contributions. I stood in stunned silence,
tears were racing down my face, and my hands were covering my eyes and I was hit with such rage
and such pain, that I
could barely speak. Unlike these cows that you might
recognize from YouTube, this footage that I saw
was dark and grainy, but images of eyes wide with terror
will haunt me forever. Animals on factory farms,
and laboratories, zoos, circuses, aquariums, amusement parks, rodeos,
all of it, they are all routinely beaten. They are denied everything
natural to them. They are isolated, burned, electrocuted, brain-damaged, blinded. They are beaten, as I said before,
and they are whipped into submissio
n. They are left to linger in cold cages,
alone, without any painkillers, until they are killed. My brain had to process
that this is legal. This is the way that billions
upon billions of animals live. This is the way that they die. This is what lurks behind closed doors that only ardent animal advocates
dare to open. I was hit with such a wave of guilt,
that I barely recognized myself. These images changed me. They gutted me. They made me realize that all
of these labels that I so detested, lik
e "oppressor," and "bully," could just as easily be applied to me,
regardless of intent, because I was a contributor
to industries that view animals as nothing more
than property and machines. So, the little girl that wouldn't dare
raise her hand in class grew up to be somebody that wants
to raise the roof for animals, because I found that I could
no longer live in peace while there's a war
being waged against animals. I could no longer feel full
while they're being starved, or feel warm knowing
that they're being
enslaved in cold cages. I couldn't feel safe
while they're being brutalized, and I certainly couldn't feel free
while they are still oppressed. Activism destroys me, but it also heals me, every day. And every day we're faced
with new challenges. How to educate the public
within a digestible way? Because let's face it:
if we're too graphic, people turn away; they don't want to know. If we're too gentle,
then we don't make any impact. So, for me, sometimes my activism
is loud,
and it's aggressive, and it's blaring through megaphones
outside of slaughterhouses. But at other times,
it's in soft, measured tones, speaking about orcas
and dolphins in captivity to little children entering Sea World. And sometimes,
yeah, my message goes viral, with me being let away
from this scene in handcuffs. I believe that activism starts
as a whisper in our soul, a voice, way down deep inside,
almost like intuition, that presents itself
as an unmistakeable knowing that nudges us to loo
k
our conscience dead in the eye, and ask ourselves
the tough questions, such as, "Is this moral?" "Is this the right choice for me?" "Can I sleep at night
knowing what I know now?" "Am I living my truth?" And often times,
the answers will surprise us. A revolution begins with an idea,
a truth in ourselves that we cannot deny, and feel compelled to spread,
regardless of the facts that, yeah, it might isolate us
from those close to us, it might take our safety, our freedom,
and put them at risk,
it can drive us
to our darkest depths of despair, and break our hearts. But it's worth it. Oh man, it is worth it! Because a revolution brings about change
whose time has come, and we are at a tipping point
of this revolution, that begins and builds with each of us recognizing what we know is true in the most sacred places of our hearts,
and acting on it. For me, giving these animals a voice, these choiceless animals, helps illuminate these dark,
cold, bearing enclosures that bring out, with cr
ies of pain,
loneliness and torture, voices begging to be seen,
to be recognized, to know that they are not alone,
and that yes, they are heard. And maybe, somehow,
this makes me feel less alone. Acting on behalf of these animals
that I will never meet, but fight for every day, has connected me
to a global cry for justice that has moved mountains
for other social justice movements. It has taken me from feeling
like a powerless individual to an important,
proactive part of the wheel that is a dri
ving force
toward making this world a kinder, and gentler,
and more sustainable place to live, connecting me to my highest self
as a citizen of the world that I live in. I have planted a seed of change, and I delight in seeing it grow, as more and more animals
are awarded rights, and veganism takes its place
in the mainstream. We all have this in us,
no matter what our calling. We can all change the world. We can all raise our hands. For me, I promise you, I will not rest until every cage is emp
ty, and every tank is drained. What might it be for you? Thank you. (Cheers) (Applause)
Comments
I respect her for being an activist for animals, she does a good job and God bless her to keep helping animals to be safe and happy!
I relate so damn much to this. I honestly hate being an activist but it's something I have to do. How could I live with myself if I didn't take action to help? Not speaking up would be so much more comfortable. I'm really shy and socially anxious, but I have to speak up for them.
"Words that I hated like oppressor and bully could easily be applied to me regardless of intent." Brilliant Simone. I'll be giving you another shout out on my channel.
You are spot on! We won't win the battle with only one approach.
My world, my life, my heart... Animals Thank u for all u do for beautiful animals
I'm waiting for a Earthling Ed TED talks speech one day <3 love him <3 he is up there with some of the best activists! <3
Beautiful speech! I love this woman. We need to speak up for the animals because in our hearts we know that compassion, the Golden Rule and love are the important values.
this almost made me cry. I saw her speak at the ALC online in 2020 which was like my first introduction to activism and I’ll never forget it, I know she’ll never see this comment but she’s absolutely amazing
Incredible speaker, speaks volumes to how I came into being an animal rights activist as well. I too used to be nervous about raising my hand but now whenever I know the animals would like me to speak up, I do so. No injustice lasts forever and I want this particular one to stop sooner than later.
We are fighting the fight here in Lebanon We love you
I loved it when she said, "it started as a whisper in my soul"! I felt that too many many years ago, That whisper becomes a shout and then we dedicate ourselves for those who have no voice: sentient being just like us.
She describes our internal struggles beautifully. So articulately put!!
Thank you for this speech! I feel the same! People are flocking together to help animals, to give a voice to those that cannot speak a language we humans can understand.
I applauded at the end, this was heart melting and empowering. #GoCompassionate
Beautifully done. thank you.
Eloquent. Thank you to Simone Reyes for her compassion.
So proud of our dear friend - an inspiration to us ALL.
Congratulations Simone! I wish I had your courage one day. This day is coming slowly but surely.
It’s time to write the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF ANIMAL RIGHTS.
Simone's presentation regarding her choice of words was on point, concise & impactful. I really felt the power within her. I congratulate her on her passion to help the voiceless & vulnerable & to act on her conscience of doing the right thing