Wonderful and inspiring Nelson Mandela 2018 annual lecture by former USA President Obama in Johannesburg
It was wonderful and inspiring to watch this speech of former USA president Obama. It touched upon various matters related to democracy, rights of the weaker sections of society, current political atmosphere in various parts of the world, historical context etc. I think it is a superb commentary on the situation the world is in today, though I do not mean to say that Obama is right in everything he said. But most of what he said seems to based on facts and strong analysis. He brings in a lot of humour and casual man-on-the-street talk which I think makes it easier for his views to get across to people. He is undoubtedly a great orator on politics and his having been an occupant of the most powerful political office in the world, President of the USA, for eight years, gives solid ***practical*** weight to his words.
Here's the video I saw: WATCH: Barack Obama delivers the annual Nelson Mandela lecture in Johannesburg, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlrWhx8Spp8, 1 hr. 25 mins, published by PBS NewsHour, 17th July 2018
Here's the transcript of the speech: https://www.npr.org/2018/07/17/629862434/transcript-obamas-speech-at-the-2018-nelson-mandela-annual-lecture.
Given below is a small extract from the concluding part of his speech. Note that Madiba refers to Nelson Mandela (for more on it, see https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2013/12/06/nelson-mandela-madiba-meaning/3889469/):
President Obama says:
Madiba reminds us that: "No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart." Love comes more naturally to the human heart, let's remember that truth. Let's see it as our North Star, let's be joyful in our struggle to make that truth manifest here on earth so that in 100 years from now, future generations will look back and say, "they kept the march going, that's why we live under new banners of freedom."
--- end small extract ---
Ravi: I completely support the view expressed in the above extract which is based on quotes of the great Nelson Mandela. Love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate!
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/668519-people-must-learn-to-hate-and-if-they-can-learn gives the quote as "People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite... Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished." It attributes the quote to Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom.
Here's the video I saw: WATCH: Barack Obama delivers the annual Nelson Mandela lecture in Johannesburg, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlrWhx8Spp8, 1 hr. 25 mins, published by PBS NewsHour, 17th July 2018
Here's the transcript of the speech: https://www.npr.org/2018/07/17/629862434/transcript-obamas-speech-at-the-2018-nelson-mandela-annual-lecture.
Given below is a small extract from the concluding part of his speech. Note that Madiba refers to Nelson Mandela (for more on it, see https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2013/12/06/nelson-mandela-madiba-meaning/3889469/):
President Obama says:
Madiba reminds us that: "No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart." Love comes more naturally to the human heart, let's remember that truth. Let's see it as our North Star, let's be joyful in our struggle to make that truth manifest here on earth so that in 100 years from now, future generations will look back and say, "they kept the march going, that's why we live under new banners of freedom."
--- end small extract ---
Ravi: I completely support the view expressed in the above extract which is based on quotes of the great Nelson Mandela. Love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate!
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/668519-people-must-learn-to-hate-and-if-they-can-learn gives the quote as "People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite... Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished." It attributes the quote to Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom.
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