All through history, countries are known to have reached points where they had to confront kinds of great challenges. In all such occasions, a charismatic leader steps forward to inspire and galvanize the citizens into action to resolve the challenge. And in each case, the weapon of inspiration and mobilization is speech. There are numerous examples. But ten examples will serve the purpose of the anti-corruption teacher: Nelson Mandela; Martin Luther King; Pope John Paul II; Barack Obama; Indira Gandhi; Winston Churchill; Abraham Lincoln; Ronald Reagan; John F. Kennedy; and Muhammadu Buhari.
South Africa was confronted with the challenge of the apartheid regime. Nelson Mandela rose to the challenge of galvanizing his countrymen and women to rise in resistance. He was imprisoned. After two years in jail, in 1964, he was brought to court and offered a deal: to renounce his resistance and immediately regain his freedom. From the dock, Mandela delivered a speech “An Ideal I am Prepared to Die For” that led to the foundation for the eventual defeat of apartheid and to his becoming one of the greatest statesmen of all times.
In 1963, the United States of America was in turmoil on account of racist segregation against Blacks. Martin Luther King stepped forward to deliver the “I Have a Dream” speech that galvanized the whole world and secured equal rights for Blacks not just in America but all over the world. The speech has continued to be the most powerful inspirational force behind most civil rights movements in the world today.
Karol Josef Wojtyja was a citizen of Poland where he grew up and watched with agony the suppression of the freedom of his people by a Soviet back Communist Government. He later became Pope John Paul II, the first non-Italian Pope in 450 years. In 1983, he went to Poland and delivered the speech “I WATCH” which inspired the Polish people to rise against their communists’ masters and the eventual election of Leader of Solidarity as the President of Poland.
The story of Barack Obama is linked to that of Martin Luther King. Building on the opportunity provided by King, Obama became the first Black President of the United States of America in 2008. The foundation of his journey to the Office of the President was cemented with his Speech “The Audacity of Hope” delivered as the 2004 Democratic National Convention keynote. The speech premised on hope and optimism that America provides the greatest of opportunities even to disadvantaged people propelled him to the national stage and eventually to the White House.
Indira Gandhi’s India faced the challenge of subjugation of Women. On March 26, 1980, she launched the global campaign for the emancipation of women with the powerful speech “True Liberation of Women”. The speech was so powerful that she was elected unopposed as Head of State.
By the end of May 1940, Britain was on the verge of being overrun by Germany during the second world war. Holland, Luxembourg, Belgium, and France had capitulated. Britain now stood alone against the seemingly unstoppable German military juggernaut. The Royal Air Force’s 640 aircraft were outnumbered by the German Luftwaffe’s 2600. In this famous speech to the House of Commons, Prime Minister Winston Churchill inspired the nation to fight from the corner with the speech “Our Finest Hour”. The speech inspired the citizens of Britain to endure the German bombardment with stoic resistance. Britain survived the siege, secured the support of allies, and went on to win the war.
Abraham Lincoln achieved the same fit for America during the American civil war in 1863with “The Gettysburg Address”. The speech delivered 150 years ago, has continued to fire the patriotic spirit of young Americans to enlist as soldiers in defense of America.
