Cherie Yang had her debut as a public speaker, yesterday at Gulf Coast University. And what a wonderful debut it was! She was graceful and poignant in discussing her escape from North Korea. Thanks to her speech coach, Karissa Bryant, in particular, for helping her with speaking tips and feedback to get her prepared for her big day, and tutors Julie Meyer Super, Seán Brophy, Kristi Cashin.
Cherie and I spoke to a crowd of more than 80 students in the morning. After more than 10 minutes, she began to cry when discussing what happened to her father after they escaped from North Korea.
I asked the students for tissue, and I noticed that many of the female students were also crying. She finally composed herself but was covering her face with her speech notes. Later, we reviewed the video, and she was surprised that she didn't start crying until she had almost finished the speech--she thought she had cried the entire time.
Then last night, we spoke to the Foundation for Government Accountability. This time I was prepared with tissue, but she insisted she wouldn't need it. I said that I had prepared it--just in case I started crying. She was doing fine, until she was about halfway through the speech when she began to cry again, but at a different point of the speech. It was a reminder about the hellhole that North Korea is for people who want to leave to find their place in the world and the anguish that lingers.
She's a participant in both Tracks 1 and 2 of the Teach North Korean Refugees Project, so she should be doing more public speaking in the future.
We had a great time, thanks to the Atlas Network for inviting us, and to Florida Gulf Coast University and Foundation for Government Accountability for hosting us.
