The Oppressor and the Oppressed Must Both be Liberated
Mar-28-2016
Hay que Liberar tanto al Opresor como al Oprimido
--por Nelson Mandela
Siempre he sabido que en el fondo del corazón de todos los seres humanos hay misericordia y generosidad. Nadie nace odiando a otra persona por el color de su piel, su procedencia o su religión. El odio se aprende, y si es posible aprender a odiar, es posible aprender a amar, ya que el amor surge con mayor naturalidad en el corazón del hombre que el odio. Incluso en los momentos más duros de mi encarcelamiento, cuando mis camaradas y yo nos ncontrábamos en situaciones límite, alcanzaba a distinguir un ápice de humanidad en alguno de los guardianes, quizá tan sólo durante un segundo, perolo suficiente para reconfortarme y animarme a seguir adelante. La bondad del hombre es una llama que puede quedar oculta, pero que nunca se extingue.
Durante aquellos largos y solitarios años, el ansia de obtener la libertad para mi pueblo se convirtió en un ansia de libertad para todos los pueblos, blancos y negros. Sabía mejor que nadie que es tan necesario liberar al opresor como al oprimido. Aquel que arrebata la libertad a otro es prisionero del odio, está encerrado tras los barrotes de los prejucios y la estrechez de miras. Nadie es realmente libre si arrebata a otro su libertad, del mismo modo en que nadie es libre si su libertad le es arrebatada. Tanto el opresor como el oprimido quedan privados de su humanidad.
Cuando salí de la cárcel ésa era mi misión: liberar tanto al oprimido como al opresor. Hay quien dice que ese objetivo ya ha sido alcanzado, pero sé que no es así.... No hemos dado el último paso, sino el primero de un camino aún más largo y difícil. Ser libre no es simplemente desprenderse de las cadenas, sino vivir de un modo que respete y aumente la libertad de l@s demás. La verdadera prueba de nuestra devoción por la libertad no ha hecho más que empezar.
Preguntas semilla para la reflexión:¿Cómo te relacionas con la noción de que tanto el opresor como el oprimido tienen que ser liberados? ¿Puedes compartir una historia en la que te hayas sentido conectad@ profundamente con ambos el opresor y el oprimido? ¿Qué te ayuda a vivir de forma que respetes y aumentes la libertad de l@s demás ?
De la autobiografía de Nelson Mandela: El largo Camino a la libertad.
From Nelson Mandela's autobiography: Long Walk to Freedom.
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you relate to the notion that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed? Can you share a personal story of a time when you felt deeply connected to both oppressor and oppressed? What helps you live a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others?
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31 Past Reflections
On Sep 17, 2024 Alexandra Saint-Lot wrote :
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On May 24, 2024 Renu jhunjhunwala wrote :
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On Nov 24, 2023 Ekisha Smith wrote :
As a African American Women to face the stereotypes of being uneducated, weak, homemaker, hostile, aggressive, overbearing and ill-tempered. Just to name a few, when facing yourself in the mirror you should be proud of what you see. Without me there is no them. If we as a people apply 'The Golden Rule" the future of our generations will have a new from freedom like never before.
1 reply: Alexandra | Post Your Reply
On Mar 22, 2022 whitney wrote :
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On Nov 7, 2021 Jovanne morales wrote :
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On May 14, 2021 Divyani kumari wrote :
'He always thought that both oppressed and oppressor are deprived of their humanity, so both of them need to be liberated and he always desired people to live with didnity and respect'. This is the way we live that respects and enchances the freedom of others
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On May 11, 2021 Shivanshu wrote :
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On Mar 30, 2021 cydney wrote :
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On Sep 13, 2019 Kunal wrote :
1 reply: Saheli | Post Your Reply
On May 13, 2019 Soumik wrote :
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On May 12, 2019 Subhalaxmi wrote :
This should not happen as we all have six fundamental rights.😃😄
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On Feb 16, 2019 Ruby chitman wrote :
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On Dec 5, 2017 pj wrote :
In logh of all going on in the world today, I feel as if I am the oppressed whe I have never or would never hurt anyone. I am conservative Christian (white, although I do have scottish, german and american indian heritage), I am a proud American, I do not want history erased, I stand for our our anthem and Flag out of respect. I recognize the atrocious behavior of our forefathers, but going forward in progress not backwards in hatred is the key😔
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On Aug 27, 2017 sikak wrote :
mandela was a prophet of the highest caliber. his mind is evidence of the greatest thought our species is capable of: reciprocal altruism based on empathetic compassion. our species is, indeed, hardwired for this orientation, but painful experiences distort and twist a healthy human mind into something else. the oppressor and the oppressed are opposite sides of the same coin and we must always remember that - its how we rehumanize the dehumanizer and avoid the pitfalls that experiential distortions turned into extreme boundary drawing behavior can become.
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On Apr 2, 2016 Smile wrote :
The awakin reading immediately took me to a recent incidence when I became controlling. I did have awareness of my freedom being oppressed at times, but this was a new realization. To allow freedom to exist for ourselves and others, more open-mindedness, trust and love is needed.
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On Apr 2, 2016 Smile wrote :
Its an eye-opening passage. Recently, for something small, I had tried to control.
I generally think of myself as the oppressed but today,as soon as the passage was read, i remembered the incidence and realised i am an oppressor too. Perhaps I have learnt that as the way from what i received, but truth is - its right there and how could I take away another person's freedom because of my own ways or learnings.
It needs to be worked on for a freer, happier life for myself and others.
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On Mar 30, 2016 Mariette wrote :
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On Mar 29, 2016 AJ wrote :
On the "liberation" note, the only one who can free us from this sin is Jesus. When I reflect on Him, Jesus never used His power, authority, superior position to "sit upon us" ... He (very patiently) walks beside us. (He did not come to Earth to condemn ... But to save. "Do THIS in memory of Me".
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On Mar 29, 2016 sadhana wrote :
Yes,it is correct.But the oppressor does not think so.It is only understood by a person who looks at it objectively rising above the situation.
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On Mar 29, 2016 Anne Winther wrote :
The oppressor must be liberated. Too frequently the oppressed become the oppressors, as the oppressed in their freedom emulate the power of their oppressors. The work of Joseph Conrad tells the story and history bears witness (e.g. oppressed Scots becoming oppressors as colonizers of new territories) . True liberation of the oppressed means destruction of the old models of power and co-creating new forms of living encompassing justice, harmony and well-being for all.
1 reply: Amy | Post Your Reply
On Mar 27, 2016 david doane wrote :
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On Mar 25, 2016 Kristin Pedemonti wrote :
Wow, this is timely given our current political campaigns in the US. I see so much hatred, yet my initial response in compassion. How hurt this person and these people must be to react with such hatred. How can we heal that hurt? I resonate so much with Mandela's thinking; none of us are free if we do not live from a place of compassion for EVERYONE and seek to unshackle from hatred. I think so much hatred is born out of fear, and if we can address those fears through trying to listen then we are one step closer to healing. Whew! Hugs to everyone from my heart to yours.