It's TED Talks Daily. I'm Elise Hugh. A sad side effect of violent extremism is how it's put an

entire faith, Islam, into the crossfire of racists and Islamophobes. In today's talk from Wale

Elegbedde, the TED at PMI 2020, he tells us how he overcame fear and hate in a small Midwestern town to build bridges, reminding an entire community that we aren't so different or divided as things seem.

Four years ago, something profound happened in my life.

I saw the fear and mental effects of racism, hate crimes, and Islamophobia was having in my community.

I'm an American Muslim of Nigerian descent, and growing up, my parents instilled in me the

importance of community and serving others.

My mom is fun of an African proverb from our Yorba tribe, which states,

Aniakalobimo, which translated means a single person gives birth to a child,

but every other person looks after the child. Now, the essence of this proverb is,

even though a woman gives physical birth to each particular child, the whole community

plays an important role in looking after all children.

Growing up, it was not uncommon for me to come home and see my mom preparing a meal for what felt

like the entire neighborhood. I mean, she routinely shared food for people struggling. And I recall one

day being angry as a teenager. It was a hot day. I just completed doing errands. I was looking forward

to a nice home-cooked meal. But when I came home, there was little food left because they'd gone to the neighborhood kids again. I was not happy. I just wanted to come home, eat my full. My mom consoled me and I settled for smaller portions while she prepared another meal. Now, I certainly did not appreciate it that day,

but later realized my mom was providing a safe space and food for people in the community that needed it.

And Yonkaw Lombo, Buguay and Luntomo. She was looking after all the children.

I came to the United States in 1999 and attended the University of Wisconsin in the city of La Crosse,

a beautiful city located along the Mississippi River.

And La Crosse was lovely.

I mean, despite the frigates of zero temperature and lack of diversity, people were generally warm and curing.

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