Does anyone remember when Mandela was released from prison? I was in Salt Lake City that day and couldn’t get to a TV or radio until after the day’s work. Mandela’s speech was clear and strong — and it seemed clear that this was the day apartheid died its well deserved death. And the day that Mandela seemed to be speaking to everyone outside of South Africa to not back off just because he was free that day. The struggle was still on — until democracy had come to South Africa.
The BBC put up a video of part of their broadcast that day. (I don’t think this is embeddable, sorry.) It is worth look at this 10 minutes of monumental history.
The BBC also put up a slide show of images from the anti-apartheid struggle, itself a fascinating document.
Just click through and take a look. Both are worth every minute.
I remember that day very clearly. I had a job that I could have he TV on while working, my co-workers and I were enthralled by the whole thing. It was like the forces of good had finally gotten the upper hand in South Africa.
From the clip-and-save department: William F. Buckley Jr. wrote that Mandela belonged in jail.
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?articleId=4751
And who proved to be right here?
http://www.nationalreview.com/buckley/buckley013103.asp
I remember watching it on TV. One of the greatest moments for freedom.
Didn’t Cheney also vote against sanctions on South Africa?
Right you are, UI. And we were called names for mentioning this matter of public record.
That Prospect article is fantastic, JM. Thanks for reminding us of how spotty the conservative record really is on freedom and democracy.
Here is a great article by Joe Conason reminding people of how complicit Dick Cheney was in the conservative effort to prolong the existence of apartheid. Cheney was running for VP in the year that they pulled the wool over people’s eyes re: compassionate conservatism AND in welcoming diversity. Cheney was trying to handwave his way through this history during the campaign.
I remember it well, and was shocked at how old he had become. And it was a glorious day for freedom and liberty in the world.
he really does look like morgan freeman