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"Ode to the Only Black Kid in the Class" by Clint Smith

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  • TEDEd Animation

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This animation is part of our series, "There's a Poem for That," which features animated interpretations of poems both old and new that give language to some of life's biggest feelings. Check out the full series here: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTheresAPoemForThat


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Poet Clint Smith
  • Director Niv Sekar
  • Narrator Clint Smith
  • Animator Niv Sekar
  • Designer Niv Sekar
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Check out TED-Ed's interview with Clint Smith. Clint speaks of the circumstances that inspire him to write Ode to the only black kid in the class, and cautions from generalizing black literature as a monolith.
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Avatar for Andrea Barajas Montiel
Andrea Barajas Montiel
In the actuality
The stereotype of the black people change in this moment... We are all humans
10/09/2019 • 
 7 Responses
 / 7 Updates
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Avatar for daharie thomas
daharie thomas
Perception of importance
Often in white dominated spaces blackness is valued in boxed in settings, such as the football field or on a stage.
10/24/2019 • 
 2 Responses
 / 2 Updates
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Avatar for Tinasia Caldwell
Tinasia Caldwell
What its like
I feel like its hard for black people to be int he right mindset when they surrounded by white people because we always think the worst. "Oh I bet they talking about me now" or "This place only got white people and I don't wanna be here because they are going to judge me". I've heard and been threw it all. I just wish that one day, we can openly talk about how we feel about certain things.
02/15/2023 • 
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Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Poet Clint Smith
  • Director Niv Sekar
  • Narrator Clint Smith
  • Animator Niv Sekar
  • Designer Niv Sekar
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott

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