Analyzing a TED Talk

By Bobbi Lin

The Village Public provides the Homework Help Program to meet a need of their immediate neighborhood.  Although all types of students attend the program the majority are Hispanic. Rich Benjamin, author and social observer, gave a TED Talk in May 2015 in Monterey California called “My road trip through the whitest towns in America”.   Over a period of 2 years Benjamin travelled 27,000 miles to visit and experience living in the fastest-growing whitest counties in America.  His trip was immerse himself in the communities to learn what makes a “Whitopia” work and thrive. 

Benjamin immediately drew the audience in by asking them to “Imagine a place where your neighbors greet your children by name; a place with splendid vistas; a place where you can drive just 20 minutes and put your sailboat on the water” and follows up with  “I don’t live there”. 

Benjamin first defines Whitopia as having “an ineffable charm, a pleasant look and feel, and a je Ne sais quoi.” Just the term whitopia could be controversial or offensive but Benjamin continued to use charm and humor to engage the audience in his experiences as a minority living in three majority white towns.  Benjamin flashed pictures of pleasant days filled with white families enjoying a walk on a sunny day.  These pictures helped the audience to see his impression of the sitcom “Happy Days” communities of white America.  

His first story was about St George Utah. Benjamin told of how he attended zone meetings and Democratic and Republican Clubs.  He threw dinner parties and learned to play poker and golf all to participate and become a part of this community. Benjamin noted that bluffing might exist in poker but some of the most honest conversations about beliefs happened at those tables.

The second town he visited was Coeur d'Alene Idaho, a town he noted was primarily settled by LAPD retired cops who left after the race riots.  In order to fit in and become a part of this community he found himself at the gun range.  He also noted a large number of confederate flags, odd since Idaho is not traditionally considered a southern state until he describes “crashing” a retreat at a local Arian Nations compound. Benjamin again draws a laugh while telling that at this compound he was told they are not supremacists who think they are superior but white separatists who just don’t want minorities around.  You can better understand how so many associate the southern flag, a sign of heritage, to racism.  Benjamin described a sense of paranoia in this town that he attributed to the large number of guns and cops. 

Benjamin’s last story described his living in Forsyth County Georgia. In order to become part of this community he joined a megachurch.  He stated “In Utah, I found poker; in Idaho, I found guns; in Georgia, I found God.” He spoke of feeling more comfortable and less “exotic” in Forsyth County, a comfort he credited to the historic familiarity of blacks and whites.

It is important to note that Benjamin recognizes that he does believe white towns in America are full of racists and that many people move to these towns for comfort, safety and security.  He states that we as a society associate these things to whiteness itself.  I do not agree but can understand his conclusion.

Benjamin is a natural story teller. He is very honest and endearing.  While speaking for just over 12 minutes he was able to help the audience see that while we strive to provide safe nice communities for our families and for the most part person to person we are kind, all people seek a utopia.  Even in Lexington you see parts of town are populated by different races, or religion beliefs and economic status.   I bet if I were to walk in any library in Lexington I would find different programs based on the different preferences or needs of the local residents.  Benjamin made me think of the unconscious results and impacts of these separations.