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Watch Iara Peng and Norman Lear's speeches from Take Back America
YP4 founder and director Iara Peng spoke movingly Wednesday morning at the Take Back America conference about her personal connection to social justice work and how Norman Lear roots his work in a genuine love for people.
"At a time in his life when most people would be content resting on their laurels, Norman isn't. He is here with us at Take Back America to remind us that we have the responsibility to build an America that lives up to our promise. That we need to do what we can to make sure that our children and our grandchildren grow and live in a society shaped by the American promise. That we hold steadfast to the values of justice, of fairness, of equality and opportunity."
Watch Iara's compelling introduction and Norman's speech (which earned him a rockstar reception):
And here's Norman's speech from the previous night, when he was awarded the America's Future Lifetime Leadership Award:
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Thanks — here's the text of the speech
I grew up in a family that did not talk much about religion or God, but when I was fourteen years old, I was introduced by friends to the concept of God through a bible study group. I didn’t really understand what they were saying; but the idea was intriguing and I remember when I got back to my house and was in my room alone, I got on my knees and said to God, if you are real, I want to know you. That moment was the beginning of what has been a wonderful journey in learning and wanting to connect my actions to a deeper set of values and to a greater sense of purpose.
It is rare in our progressive communities to have the space to talk about religion, to explore our deeper connection to the reasons why we do this work — whether it’s a commitment to tikkun olam, social justice, our faith, our conscience.
It is amazing, awesome, really, that Norman Lear, a man who has achieved such tremendous success — in so many areas of his life — he is the one who takes the time to invite this conversation for me. His is the voice I hear saying “they will know you by your deeds.” He is the one who always asks first about my new baby boy, my husband, myself — and second about my work.
Norman has created tremendous opportunities for me to have a greater impact in this world. Most recently, he provided the platform to build and grow a critical national program that invests strategically in developing young, diverse progressive leaders. I’m incredibly grateful to him.
I love that Norman takes risks on people and ideas, especially that he took a risk in me. But what I truly admire about Norman, is that he so clearly does this work out of a genuine love for other people, a genuine love for our country and genuine commitment to the core values that make America great.
At a time in his life when most people would be content to rest on their laurels, Norman isn't. He's here with us, at Take Back America — to remind us that we need to build an America that lives up to our promise. That we need to do what we can to make sure that our children and grandchildren grow and live in a society shaped by the American promise. That we hold steadfast to the values of justice, equality, fairness, opportunity.
That is real leadership.
That is real inspiration.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is Norman Lear.