The Kurds: The Most Famous Unknown People in the World | Stephen Mansfield | TEDxNashville

650,128

18,244 0

Published 2016-05-18

The Kurds are an ancient and noble people who are now the primary “boots on the ground” against ISIS in the Middle East. They are 35 million strong worldwide, the largest people group on earth without their own homeland. In this stirring talk, Stephen Mansfield tells the story of the Kurds and does so, surprisingly, through the lives of three women.

Stephen Mansfield is a New York Times bestselling author who first rose to global attention with his groundbreaking book, The Faith of George W. Bush, a bestseller that Time magazine credited with helping to shape the 2004 U.S. presidential election. He has written celebrated biographies of Barak Obama, Booker T. Washington, George Whitefield, Winston Churchill, Pope Benedict XVI, and Abraham Lincoln, among others. Mansfield’s latest book, The Miracle of the Kurds, is a timely introduction to the Kurdish people that reached bookstores just as Kurdish troops began standing heroically against the evils of ISIS in the Middle East. The book has been named “Book of the Year” by Rudaw, the leading Kurdish news service.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

All Comments (21)

@joshuachambers7681 3 years ago

I had a Kurdish teacher, and he was the most kind, considerate and understanding teacher we had. Very soft spoken and just a good guy.
@gulcanvarol1444 1 year ago

I am a Kurd living in Turkey. I've been discriminated against most of the time and I'm having trouble with it these days.It’s good to see this video . ❤
@rosebts7589 4 months ago

As a kurdish girl I'm really happy while reading the comments Thank you all guys for your kind words about us♥️☀️💚
3 years ago

I'm a Bakurî Kurd living in London and seeing this Ted Talk amongst all these beautiful comments full of solidarity assures me that we are gaining more and more friends worldwide, day by day. Please tell our stories, please educate yourselves and your friends on who we are. For many years our identity was denied to the point that even I, as a Kurd raised in Turkey, don't know how to speak Kurdish. This hurts and is why the support from Non-Kurds means the world. We exist, help us let that be known.
@brunadiasdepaula5755 4 years ago

Kurds are blessing from God. Day by day I love more and more. I stand in pray and support for Kurdistan. (From Brazil)
@luzernschweiz8468 2 months ago

I am a Iranian-speaking Persish, my father was a history teacher, he always said that the Kurds are the main owners of Iran, and we Persians and Kurds are cousins to each other, my father said, but unfortunately, the proud history of the Kurds from many schools and universities is deliberately and systematically removed, but if anyone wants to look for the real history of the Kurds, they should know that the Middle East, in all its glory, owes a lot to the Kurds.
@siljahorne9214 4 years ago

Kurds married into my family.I love them,their culture and their wonderful music feasts and dances!
@b.i.b7582 4 years ago

Am Kurdish And I live Now in Europe it's been 10 years And my Father Killed by Saddam Hussein Army in 1991 Thank you sir for sharing our History ✌✌✌✌
@nodirbeknazarov3823 4 years ago

I’m Turkic but I deeply respect Kurds. They are worth gaining independence. I hope, inshallah, they will achieve it one day.
@helenxalil333 5 years ago

I am Kurdish from kurdistan thank you for explain my culture & history 😍😢
@ShakeelAhmed-tm2nn 4 years ago

Kurd and Baloch two brothers long live ✌️
@sara.othman 2 years ago

I’m a proud Kurd here, thank you for this video! This is a perfect explanation for us. Zor spas ❤️💛💚
@Specialworldofmine 5 years ago

As a kurdish girl i really appreciate that thanks for that great presentation
@azadpenaber 7 months ago

As a Kurdish writer and poet, First of all, I would like to thank you very much for this wonderful video. In the comments, I was honored by the thoughts of people from many cultures and nations around the world about the Kurds they know. Thank you for this, ladies and gentlemen... I read in the comments that some of my Kurdish friends wrote about the injustices they experienced. I've read that many people react to these things with surprise. My Kurdish brothers, write the events you experienced as a comment under the video and let people read what you went through directly from your mouth. Greetings and love to everyone who supports the Kurds' struggle and believes in us. We believe that goodness, peace, brotherhood and love will win 🙏🌹✌️
@kellysdad2326 2 years ago

I've only heard kurds people on the news & very grateful that stephen told us about them... They've won my greatest respect and deepest appreciation to these people. I'm very grateful that stephen step up and told us about them. Very few people have interest about the people and culture to discuss about their contributions in the world, but stephen recognized them... Thank you so very much for the story and the enlightenment!!!
@HamJa-ry3km 4 years ago

I’ve met a few Kurds in London. They are attractive
@benzskyeshxc96 5 years ago

Im from malaysia. Free the kurdistan!
@farhansadozai9167 2 years ago

Love to Kurds from Baloch❤️❤️❤️
@laurajaneluvsbeauty9596 1 year ago

I have great respect for the Kurdish people. They are an ancient people, very strong fighters, super smart, and yes stunningly beautiful. They deserve a homeland and i hope to see them get one
@slavops9599 2 years ago

Update: An Kurdish elder who was jailed since 2009 for speaking Kurdish language in his mothers funeral died in Turkish prison in age of 76.