Ideas worth spreading

United States

A collection of TED Talks (and more) on the topic of United States.

Video playlists about United States

A crash course on voting and the US political system

The Electoral College, gerrymandering — and more! These talks answer your questions and simplify the confusing landscape of the US political system. (For more voting information specific to your location, please visit https://www.vote.org)

A look into American politics

Take a peek into the fascinating world of American politics -- with a few talks from some political leaders themselves.

Talks to help you understand racism in America

From passionate pleas for reform to poetic turns of phrase, these talks take an honest look at everyday realities of Black Americans and illuminate the way forward.

Talks about United States

Mary Ziegler, Loretta J. Ross, Erika Bachiochi, Joshua Prager

The future of US reproductive rights after Roe v. Wade

Does trickle-down economics actually work?

Amanda Renteria

A bold plan to transform access to the US social safety net

Tiana Epps-Johnson

An election redesign to restore trust in US democracy

Alexandra Minna Stern and Natalie Lira

The movement that inspired the Holocaust

Anna Malaika Tubbs

The critical role of Black mothers -- and how to support all moms

Kevin Ehrman-Solberg and Kirsten Delegard

The dark history of the suburbs

Building the impossible: Golden Gate Bridge

The dark history of the overthrow of Hawaii

The origins of blackface and Black stereotypes

Nick Turner and Whitney Pennington Rodgers

How to fix two of the most broken systems in the US

Can you outsmart the fallacy that divided a nation?

A different understanding of American patriotism

Reuben Jonathan Miller

How radical hospitality can change the lives of the formerly incarcerated

Blood, concrete, and dynamite: Building the Hoover Dam

Ned Blackhawk and Jeffrey D. Means

The dark history of Mount Rushmore

See all talks on United States

Exclusive articles about United States

5 myths — and 5 truths — about the reality of racism in the US

Unchallenged, these myths can distract us from the real work that needs to be done and the real issues that must be addressed to end racism, says researcher and political scientist Candis Watts Smith PhD. Here's what you should know.

Posted May 2021

To be Asian in America is to keep a list of places where you know you’ll be seen as more than a visitor

A reflection on going to restaurants and why we all want to be seen as more than a visitor, from author and illustrator Jonny Sun.

Posted Apr 2021

Why saying “Asians are good at math” isn’t a compliment — it’s racism

Today, Asians are often seen as the “model minority” – hardworking, academically talented and professionally successful – but it wasn’t always that way.

Posted Mar 2021

See all articles on United States