Damon Young's Talk At The University Of Houston

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As I wrote yesterday, the University of Houston's Valenti School of Communication invited me to campus to speak about race and writing and shit. Video footage of the talk is below.

A couple highlights:

***I was wearing a mic, but apparently it wasn't working. I didn't realize it wasn't working, though, so I kept talking. Moments later, a mic mysteriously appears on the table next to me. I pause and ask if I need the mic. And the entire audience screams "Yes!"

***Deyontrius Sims's — the woman interviewing me —  shoes. Those were very nice shoes.

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***The bottle of water. I was working on two hours of sleep that night — remember, I was bachelor partying all weekend — and that water was the best water I've ever tasted.

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***At the 16:00 mark I talk about honesty. Specifically, how difficult it is to be honest through writing, how writing has a way of unveiling truths about yourself you weren't aware existed, how 100% honesty is less a reality and more an aspiration, and how the best work is honest work.

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Anyway, check it out. Or don't. It's your decision and shit.