“There is no such thing as part freedom.”
Image credits: John Mathew Smith 2001,”From Wash D.C. Longworth building October 4, 1994. Mandela’s first trip to the United States.”,CC BY-SA 2.0,Nelson Mandela 1994 – Nelson Mandela – Wikipedia
- July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013
- Born in South Africa
- Politician, lawyer
- The first black president of South Africa, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for abolishing apartheid and building a democratic South Africa where multiple ethnic groups coexist.
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Quote
“There is no such thing as part freedom.”
Explanation
This quote from Nelson Mandela directly challenges the concept of partial freedom, emphasizing that true freedom is absolute and cannot be divided or compromised. For Mandela, freedom was not simply the absence of physical restraint but the full realization of political, social, and economic rights for all people, regardless of their race or background. The context of this quote reflects his deep opposition to the apartheid system in South Africa, where Black South Africans were afforded limited rights, controlled by discriminatory laws and policies. This “partial” freedom, in which only a small portion of the population had access to basic human rights, was not true freedom in Mandela’s eyes.
Historically, this statement speaks to Mandela’s belief that the struggle against apartheid could not be considered complete until every South African—Black, white, and of all other backgrounds—enjoyed equal rights and full participation in the political and social life of the nation. While apartheid sought to create a system of segregation and inequality, Mandela’s fight was for an inclusive freedom that offered the same opportunities to all citizens. His words underline the moral and philosophical belief that freedom must be universal; partial freedom, in his view, is simply another form of oppression.
In modern contexts, this quote speaks to ongoing struggles for social justice and political equality. Whether it’s the fight for voting rights, gender equality, or the rights of marginalized communities, the idea that freedom cannot be partial is crucial. It reminds us that in order for society to be truly just, equitable, and free, all individuals must have access to the full spectrum of rights and opportunities. Mandela’s vision of a unified, equal society continues to resonate today, especially in the context of global movements advocating for human rights and social justice.
