“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 by Nelson Mandela asserts a fundamental belief that true freedom cannot be divided or compromised. In the context of South Africa’s apartheid system, which denied the majority of South Africans basic rights, Mandela rejected the idea that partial rights or partial freedom could ever be enough. Under apartheid, many laws created conditions where certain groups, particularly the Black population, were granted limited freedoms—such as the ability to work or live in certain areas under strict conditions—but were still bound by systemic oppression. Mandela’s statement emphasizes that freedom is not a condition of gradual or half-measures; it must be universal and complete for all people.
Historically, this quote speaks to the heart of Mandela’s struggle against apartheid. It underscores his belief that the fight for freedom was not about gaining minor concessions from the regime but about the total eradication of an unjust system. When apartheid offered incremental changes, such as the limited vote for non-white South Africans or concessions to certain racial groups, Mandela understood that these measures were insufficient. True liberation required the full dismantling of the oppressive system and the establishment of a society where all people had equal rights and opportunities. This was a radical idea at the time, challenging both the government and even some members of the international community who believed in gradual reforms.
In modern terms, Mandela’s words resonate with ongoing struggles for social justice and human rights across the world. The idea of “part freedom” applies to many contemporary issues where marginalized groups might be granted some rights but still face significant barriers to true equality. Whether it’s the struggle for voting rights, gender equality, or racial justice, this quote serves as a reminder that freedom cannot be achieved in pieces; it requires comprehensive change. It is a call to recognize that injustice in any form is a denial of true freedom and that only complete, inclusive equality can bring about lasting freedom for all.
