– China Okasi, TAP
Throughout black history, political leaders have mobilized people from all works of life, using great oratorical skills. Specifically, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are remembered, every Black History Month, for their historical speeches. While those two icons deserve their due honor, many other great political speakers have moved the country’s hearts and minds: in fact, too many to list. Hence, here are just five treasurable ones.
5. Nelson Mandela
Presidential Inaugural Address, 1994
Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa in 1994, after serving 27 years in prison as an activist and fighter of apartheid. His inaugural speech drew worldwide attention.
Excerpt:
“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world.”
4. Michelle Obama
Democratic National Convention Speech, 2008
First Lady, Michelle Obama, gave a heartwarming speech at the Democratic National Convention of 2008, before her husband became president.
Excerpt:
“I stand here today at the cross-currents of…history – knowing that my piece of the American Dream is a blessing hard won by those who came before me.”
3. Jesse Jackson
Presidential Campaign Announcement, 1984
Former presidential candidate, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jr., gave a riveting speech in 1984, and galvanized African-American voters (whose registration base paved the way for future Democratic contenders).
Excerpt:
“All this talk about qualifications…What do blacks know about foreign policy?” It’s an insult. I was three years old, I came into my consciousness, my Daddy was coming home from the war. Foreign policy. If he was so dumb, how did he get over there and get back? If he didn’t know foreign policy, why did they give him a gun? And when they gave it to him, he knew which way to shoot. We know foreign policy. When you buy Honda and Toyota, that’s foreign policy. Russian Vodka, that’s foreign policy. Panasonic and Sony, that’s foreign policy. Mercedes Benz, that’s foreign policy, and as a matter of fact, we came here on a foreign policy!”
2. Shirley Chrisholm
Presidential Campaign Announcement, 1972
Before Hillary Clinton’s popular run for president, another passionate woman contender in the African-American community declared her presidential candidacy. Her powerful 1972 speech was just one of Shirley Chrisholm’s oratorical gifts to the world.
Excerpt:
“The hour has come when we can be no longer be the passive recipients of whatever the politics or the morals of a nation may decree for us as a people.”
1. Barack Obama
“A More Perfect Union,” (Race Speech, Campaign 2008)
In 2008, amidst campaign controversy involving the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the now President Obama gave a speech on race that not only quelled the controversy, but uplifted the nation as a whole.
Excerpt:
” “We the people, in order to form a more perfect union.”
Two hundred and twenty one years ago, in a hall that still stands across the street, a group of men gathered and, with these simple words, launched America’s improbable experiment in democracy.”
