Making Invisible People Visible

By Casey Lartigue, Jr

Mark Twain supposedly said: 'I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.' Quote-master Twain also supposedly said, 'I can live for two months on a good compliment.

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What about well-intentioned compliments that miss the mark? One such compliment I politely reject is when people laud me as a spokesman for North Korean refugees. (I don't speak for anyone but myself, and hope there isn't anyone trying to speak for me without my direct permission, constant consultation and mountains of praise.

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While acknowledging the wisdom in his admonition, I disagree with a colleague who says that 'activists pass the mic.' I counter with Emma Goldman's attributed statement: 'If I can't dance, then I don't want to join your revolution.

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If someone dynamic like Martin Luther King Jr showed up wanting to help my cause, saying he had a dream, I wouldn't tell him to pass the mic. We all have skills we can use to make the world a better place, so good speakers, activists or not, should be heard from

With apologies to my fans, my belief in empowering people to tell their own stories and find their own way runs counter to the idea that I would be a spokesman for anyone other than myself.

One, I defer to refugee speakers. When I am invited as a featured speaker, then yes, I am the last man standing as I talk about my activities.

When there are North Korean refugees being featured, however, then I go from King of the Stage to a glorified usher I wait for refugee speakers to respond to questions first, then I sometimes add statistics and anecdotes.

Many attendees thank me, but it is like thanking a waiter for bringing you a free beer You are thankful for the beer, but you don't expect the guy to give you a 20 minute speech telling you about his job.

Two, I enjoy creating safe spaces for refugees to share their stories as they enter the world of public speaking. It is a victory for humanity when people who were once brainwashed can now freely speak their minds.

My Korea Times blog, 'Voices from the North,' is an outlet for North Korean refugees to share their thoughts. After interviewing them, I show them what I plan on publishing so they can maintain control of their words.

At events, I often need to be a bad cop protecting those safe spaces. I remind speakers they aren't required to answer all questions from audience members, reporters or researchers.

I warn audiences not to...