I truly hope Kamala chooses him for her vice president... What an inspiring speech. I was on the edge of tears so many times. He dealt with tough issues. Eloquently... And penetrated the veneer we all erect!
Landrieu wrote a book called "In The Shadow of Statues" in which he tells the story of all the hurdles he, his family, his staff had to overcome to get those monuments taken down.
what an articulate argument set in a vision of truth and unity among ALL people; I agree, Mr. Landrieu, please run for President! thank you for your bravery & wisdom!
Great Speech. I was extremely moved at 3:17 by how State Farm can save me money on my car insurance. Really Washington Post? You can't even run this one ad free?
I came in from a Quora comment that happily showed no interruptions, then came o the source and was annoyed by the ads. Yt tossed the baby out with the water by not realizing that not ALL content is fodder for their coffers. Unfortunately, their machine has grown too huge to satisfy the seemingly insignificant voices and alter the ad bombs that affect important messages that have tremendous impact on us all.
Nice speech, I'm not even american but it's always good to hear some clarity thinking, we all need to learn to think a little deeper, fight ignorance in ourselves and others. This is needed in every aspect of our lifes!
Wow!! Why isn’t this person our president?? (came here from Carville saying he’s the best communicator among current dem politicians, and I see what he means) 👊🏼 👑
This speech should be required viewing for every single high school student in this country, and also for every adult who thinks that the Confederate flag and statues are simply symbols of the great south when they are symbols of the fight to deny humanity of black people. Only one improvement could be made to this speech; to not talk of “races” as there is only one race...the human race.
If President Trump and others who defend 'our beautiful statues' could listen to this speech, I think it might help. Even if it did not change their minds, surely it would expand them, and deepen their understanding of other perspectives? And my husband said the same thing: Why isn't this man running for president?
Carrie Moley I hear complete and total ignorance of history. I hear pandering to ignorant people to secure votes. I hear divisiveness under the guise of civil rights. He doesn't even know what General Beauregard believed in and advocated for in regards to race relations, or perhaps he does, but prefers to pander. I do not hear what you hear. I see what this is doing and it isnt the path to peace and inclusion. I know entirely too much about history and human nature to see this as anything other than a disastrous path to greater hate and divisiveness than my generation has ever known and we have people like him to thank for it.
in his speech he says " we need to face history" , yet he takes down the statues and hides history. running and hiding from your past does no good. I don't advocate for the south in the civil war, however it should still be remembered.
Every news organization should be running this speech. I know it's long, but it's still worth running. It should be featured as a headline on every web page.
What a refreshing truth. Acknowledging the white supremacy and its harm, is the right place to start healing this nation. America is strong because of its beautiful diversity of people and cultures that is not found in any other place on Earth.
I was working in Germany and a young German woman, born decades after the 2nd world war, asked me if I am proud to be English. I remembered my Mum's Cousin who fought at DDay to help liberate Europe. His regiment was the first regiment to liberate Belsen Concentration camp. I said "yes I am proud." She said that she wasn't proud to be German. She was born decades after the 2nd world war she bore no guilt for the Concentration camps but her ancesters were on the wrong side of history. I see the same look, sometimes, in the faces of white Southerners in the US.
I respect this man's choice to be on the right side of History. This is an eloquent speech that hits to the core of racism in America. One man who has done something tangible to right a wrong. Thank you.
The motto he repeats is the Jamaican National Theme, "Out of Many One People" ... a man ahead of his time, 'n in the face of all odds!! I can see these statues in a museum with plaques commenting on their story-in-context, complete and concise ...
It’s also America’s, from the dawn of our country until 1956. It’s still on the seals of many state flags and the seals of both houses of Congress. Jamaica adopted it in 1962. So he’s quoting from our history, not Jamaica’s.
I keep coming back to this speech & sharing it. So many people are ignorant of all of this. Live in Massachusetts, and people are flying the Confederate battle flag along with their racist "thin blue line" flags.
What happened to this patriotic and clear eyed approach to becoming an even greater nation? It has been torn asunder by both Trumpism AND Wokism. It's a crying shame.
I loved your speech Mitch but I'm sorry I don't know if New Orleans will be a thing in 300 years. I mean, maybe move it North. At any rate, why didn't this guy run for President this election? I'd have voted for him.
And, incidentally, the tiresome whining about "Mitch's lack of transparency, and removing the statues under cover of darkness.." this was done in that manner for a very good reason: the lives of the workers who did the actual removal, the contracting companies, and many involved in this controversial but important project were threatened with death. Concerns for their safety were very, very real! If the nay-sayers here had bothered to do their homework (they might start by reading IN THE SHADOW OF STATUES) they would have a better, more fact-based understanding of the courage it took to even propose, and then, implement this. I have nothing but admiration for the now-former Mayor, and will continue to be his supporter, as a New Yorker, and.. when we move back, and relocate to New Orleans next year...
I'm just wondering since the statue's came down has crime gotten better? Does the Mayor have better respect from the black community? Are blacks thriving and doing better in school or at work? Has this helped in all aspects of life for everyone because you can not tell me a statue has held these people down or anybody else?
It takes time. Cultural change is generational change. Those statues and support for the statues was preventing cultural change. In essence that is why the statues were there.
My personally doesn't destroy or move historic statue's of the past for political gain or to satisfy a few people that think statues hold them down due to false accusations . I know if this was voted on by the people the statue's would still be there. Democrat's take them down during the middle of the night because they know their wrong!
Southern - yes, and if the North hadn't forced the South to abandon slavery it would have had it for a lot longer because that is what the majority wanted. Just because the majority wants something doesn't make it right, that is why laws are judged by an independent judiciary, and why countries have constitutions. Democracy is not simply doing what the majority wants, it is a system of government where everybody's views are considered in context with accepted norms and laws.
Lowering the crime rate is not the point, although I agree New Orleans has a problem in that regard and more needs to be done. BUT this gesture: removing the statues; NOLA's commitment of Landrieu's... to making right what has been so wrong, for so long. That is a clear, active step... in the right direction.
Great speech! I come to this page from a book I read: White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, by Robert P. Jones. Check it out, it is very informative.
In 2020 or less... President Pence/Cruz speech; "We are removing the art from the museums because it is a lie..." "The art is against the ideals of a Christian nation..." "Art must not be allowed to have content that is against the will of God." "You see, the art was created as an alternative to the Christian way..." "Thou shalt not make graven images." "Okay, lets go out and burn some books."
@@dannyboyakadandaman504furl9 Confederate statues were certainly removed. When things go the other direction, it will be a lot easier to remove art from public places.
