Keynote Speaker
I recently had the pleasure of speaking before a large group of Sri Lankans at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. My topic was, Images of Oppression and Reconciliation. The Sri Lankans are in this country to have a discourse on the struggle toward Democracy. Below is a segment of my discourse.
Images of Oppression and Reconciliation
Upon the backs of millions of enslaved Africans, America built its wealth and prosperity; tobacco, cotton, wheat and other labor-intensive industries flourished. While the economy of America was booming, a new government was being formed, creating a new order of civil liberties and basic rights.
The ideas and ideals within its Declaration of Independence did not include the new arrivals from Africa. The New Government’s sanctioned denial of basic civil liberties to people of African dissent would exist for several hundred years among the four main countries (Dutch – English – Spanish and Portuguese) that participated and prospered in the transatlantic slave trade. Makes you want to re-think the French.
This was not the first time that nations have built their prosperity and wealth on the backs of enslaved people. From the building of the pyramids, the Great Wall of China, and other incredible feats and wonders, the welfare of slaves was sacrificed. However, when other persecuted groups of people (such as, Asians, Irish or Jews) were taken into slavery they were allowed a few basic Civil Liberties. History reveals that most enslaved groups were allowed the right to maintain their language and culture as well as practice their religion.
Led by the Portuguese; the Spanish and English all championed the decision that an entire continent of people would be designated as Sub-Human, who’s value was only that of a tool of labor. This concept was unique and met with little resistance from what passed as the “civilized world”.
Think about it, from 1619, until 1865 and the Ratification of the Emancipation Proclamation, it was against the law in America for black people to speak their native tongue, read, write or practice their native religion. In effect, they were stripped of their native culture, their soul’s essence. These simple basic rights were outlawed by legal mandate, and anyone caught teaching a black person to read or write was subject to prosecution by law.
Things had to change…
During the period known as Reconstruction (between 1869 and 1877) 16 blacks served in the U.S Congress. Scores of blacks won election to seats in state governments throughout the south. Reconstruction brought about a period of growth and prosperity that left black Americans with the feeling that their “promised land” of civil liberties and equality was in sight. It was an illusion. The cost of rebuilding the country and the bitterness left in the hearts of the defeated southerners, drove America into a financial depression, and saw the erosion of the newly won basic civil rights granted by Emancipation.
After suffering through 75 years of oppression and armed with the gains made through education, economic growth and cultural unity, Blacks were prepared to meet their destiny. The Civil Rights era was to begin. And thanks to the Media the story of our struggle was brought into the homes of America with the evening news.
Night after night images of a people showing courage in the face of hatred filled our Television Screens. The American people were forced to rethink their notion of race relations.
The process of Reconciliation had begun. And now, 50 years later, we have a President that was elected because of the content of his character. And, I might add, a President who really understood the power of the media to shape and change opinion.
Today anyone in any country who wants to be elected to office or successfully launch a movement or cause must understand and use the media to deliver their message. I am not sure this is good for Democracy, but I am sure that it’s here to stay.
There were times that I didn’t understand my personal relationship with the concept of Democracy. As a young kid attending the segregated school system here in Virginia, I had a difficult time trying to understand how most of the men who drafted the Declaration of Independence could in-turn be Slave Owners.
It has taken me a long time to reconcile that notion. Our Democratic State is founded upon the “truth”: All men are created equal. What did those slave owners mean by that claim, really? Would they just ignore this obvious dichotomy? The answer was “yes.” Of course, a few bold men argued for a brief period, but with the exception of a few abolitionists, the government turned away from the “true” meaning of equality.
Over the years many academic historians have tried to justify and explain away this ‘unalienable lie.’ And our Democracy suffered its consequences that culminated with Civil War.
A while back I read the writings of a philosopher, which helped me find some a measure of peace with the intent of our founding fathers. According to this philosopher, equality can only be derived from uniqueness. Equality is the “Principle of Individuality.”
We are equal because each brings a specific calling into the world. Each of us carries a unique genius. Democracy rests, therefore, upon the foundation of our individual souls.
Our souls demand freedom of pursuit, and this freedom cannot be guaranteed by society. For if opportunities for freedom are decreed by society, then society has the superior power, and freedom becomes subject to society’s authority.
Black or White, Sri Lankan or African…when people realize that freedom is born within the soul of the individual…then and only then will Democracy truly function as an instrument of the People.