Finding our future in ancestral wisdom | Adah Parris | TEDxSoho

31 Jul 2024 (3 months ago)

Adah Parris, a descendant of nomadic women tracing back to a single woman 1,400 years ago, explores the themes connecting her ancestors across continents.
She challenges the "one drop rule" that marginalized Black people and emphasizes the importance of embracing one's full identity.
Parris identifies five fundamental elements – ether, air, fire, water, and earth – that she believes are embodied by her ancestors and shape their understanding of the world.
She argues that these elements offer a framework for understanding indigenous wisdom and its potential for addressing contemporary challenges.
Parris criticizes the dominant narratives of dystopian futures and technological solutions, advocating for a more holistic approach grounded in ancestral knowledge.
She highlights the work of Jade Lobo, who edited a magazine showcasing Amazonian indigenous knowledge, and Tyson Y. Korter, who bridges ancestral knowledge and artificial intelligence.
Parris emphasizes the importance of ethical pauses, diverse ideas, and intergenerational knowledge in creating a regenerative world.
She uses examples from Morocco's water shortage crisis and PRI Batui's gender-neutral language system to illustrate how indigenous communities offer solutions to global challenges.
Parris concludes by urging the audience to consider their role as ancestors and ask themselves, "What type of ancestor do I want to be?"