This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Film is fundamentally an experience in empathy; it's about understanding others. For over a hundred years, Hollywood has trained us to believe that love belongs more frequently to certain people -- mainly white, able-bodied, heterosexual men, yet this is not reflective of reality. Film offers the world an opportunity to fundamentally expand our collective conception of love and to see ourselves in people who do not look like us.
Imran Siddiquee is a writer committed to promoting gender equity and racial justice. He is the former Director of Communications and was a founding staff member of The Representation Project, a movement that uses film and media content to expose injustices caused by gender stereotypes. He has helped create and lead large-scale campaigns to challenge sexist media, increase media representation for marginalized people and shift the way society views gender.
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)