Death isn't something we usually talk about, unless we have to. It’s not just something you randomly bring up at a dinner party, especially if it was a suicide. We say suicide isn’t an option but obviously it is, people choose it everyday. Kevin Briggs a former California highway patrol officer of 23 years gives his first hand experience with suicide. Officer Briggs patrolled the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, which is a popular site for suicide attempts. Briggs uses his TED talk to share stories from people who he’s talked to or listened to who were on the edge of life. He also gives powerful pieces of advice to those with loved ones who might be contemplating suicide.
In this video officer Briggs explains the things that happened almost nightly on his job. The Golden Gate Bridge is a very popular site for suicides and the amount of people who patrol it never stopped anyone from their attempts. The bridge was created in 1937 and the creator of the bridge was quoted saying " The bridge is practically suicide-proof. Suicide from the bridge is not practical nor probable." But since it's opening over 1,600 people have let go of all hope and jumped from the bridge. He talks about the collateral damage done to friends and family of those who committed suicide, it's not a pretty thing. The grieve you feel and the feeling that someone reached down your throat just to pull your heart out the most painful way possible. No one should have to go through that, officer Briggs says listen to understand,don't beg, or tell them you understand.Because most don't. But listen to them. From his experience it's more than just talking, you have to listen and just be there. He also believes that if you think someone is suicidal you should confront them and ask the question, because if you're wrong you can move past it, but if you're right you just might be what they need to survive.
I think that Kevin Briggs gave a very powerful message through his talk. His main point was very compelling and I believe that this can reach many people. Talking about suicide isn’t something we do often which is probably why people who are suicidal don’t come forward about it. I think Briggs main point was the get the message across that suicide happens and instead of ignoring the issue we need to confront it. Within the video Kevin relies more on pathos more than anything. Which definitely comes along with talking about suicide. I liked his TED talk because it was well put together and talked about something I’ve lived through and also understand on a personal level. From his video I can take away the advice he gave to talk to family or friends who you think might commit suicide or who might be thinking about it.
We have never watched or talked about anything relating to suicide or depression so there wasn't much to relate this. Instead of taking something for the class i decided to relate it to a quote “ Depression is the hurtful thoughts and actions I have towards myself. Depression is the tears i have because I don't know why i feel so worthless, when i know i should be happy.” This quote reminded me of when Briggs is telling one of his many stories from the Golden Gate Bridge.He was trying to talk a young man named Jason Garber out of suicide and off the bridge when James asked " Do you know the story of Pandora's box?” For those who don’t know Pandora’s box, in Greek mythology, Zeus created Pandora, and sent her down to earth with a box and told her to “Never,ever open the box”. Well one day, curiosity got the best better of Pandora and she opened the box, out flew plagues, sorrows, and all sorts of evil against man. The only good thing in the box was hope. Just after Briggs told the James that he new the story, the man asked “well what if you open the box and hope isn’t there?” Moments later he pushed off the railing and committed suicide. Now these two quotes may not seem extremely similar, but the topic they are talking about most certainly are.
You might not see how this video relates to the American Dream,but those who have had family members or friends commit suicide will mostly definitely understand the relation. Just 3 months ago my aunt committed suicide, which is the reason I picked this video. It speaks about the things everyday people don't bring up, we don't talk about it, and we need to. It could save so many people and that's what it’s about right? Saving those who don't think they deserve to be saved. This is apart of my American Dream, and so many others, even if they don’t realize it yet.