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Wednesday, June 18, 2025

The "92%" Referent For Black American Women Who Voted For Kamala Harris For United States President November 2024 (Part II: Comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series about 92% as a referent for Black American women who voted for Kamala Harris for President of the United States in the November 5, 2024 national election.  

This post presents some online comments about the use of 92% as a referent for Black American women who voted for Kamala Harris for President of the United States in the November 5, 2024 national election.

Additional comments that don't include the referent "92%" are included in this compilation for background and context purposes. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-use-of-92-as-referent-for-black.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post showcases two YouTube video shorts and includes some online information about that use of 92%. .

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and political purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this pancocojams post.

****
SELECTED COMMENTS ON THIS SUBJECT

The online sources for these comments are presented in relative chronological order based on their publishing date.

Numbers have been added for referencing purposes only.


VLOG DISCUSSION THREAD #1
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZIvS8KYKWs "Black Women This is not our lesson to learn", published by Breakthrough Girl, Nov 8, 2024

1. @mildredroman-vo9lq, November 2024
"Yes, Black and Latina women showed up! Especially,  the African American communities ❤❤❤"

**
Reply
2. @PaperHeartScissors, November 2024
"❤ right on….and for those others FAFO"

**
3. @stayinthefight1224, November 2024
"The majority of Black people in general tried to save this democracy. Because we all KNEW what was going to hit the fan if Trump got elected. These other cultural groups chose to vote against their own interest. Black people have been THROUGH IT in America. And we are STILL here. We were mentally conditioned to deal with hardship.

Good luck to the rest of these folks.

**
4. @justinekingmaker493, November 2024
"I am honestly so happy to have seen the numbers return on "Who voted for who."

And seeing that Black women heard, understood the assignment, turned in the homework on time - Really says a LOT!

Thank you.

As a White woman, I'm so disappointed. We missed the lesson, we didn't understand the assignment, we didn't turn in the homework.

Predominantly, we listened to our big brothers - you know, the ones who dropped out of school, beat up your friends for their lunch money, and threatened to tell Mom and Dad if you told on him.

Yeah, that."

**
5. @superflywash08, November 2024
"My grandmother used to express to me and my siblings that if you think you learned a lesson, God will test you to see if you make the right choice this time. Now I'm not a super religious person and my older age, but certain things from her stick out. That's what happened. America runs around shouting that we're not who we used to be and we've changed and we've grown. And the test keeps being put in front of them, and they keep failing it . The selection just showed that once again, it's all talk. This lesson going to be harder to learn than they think.. it's going to be rough but we got to keep our heads up"

**
6. @MsIndigoNY2, November 2024
"God bless my sista you have so elegantly spoken for me. I gotta say the betrayal, the pain, the hurt is so real. I still cry bc it hurts to the depths of soul that black women who has shown up for everybody but up til now NEVER asked for anything in return, when we finally did ask they spat in our faces & turned their backs on us. It's rest time for Black Women. We will be standing back BUT WE WON'T BE STANDING BY 🙋🏾‍♀️"

**
7. @ardyn_s, November 2024
"This 100%. We came thru. Ppl love to point out that we dont have "community". But what was that on the exit polls?! Our strong sense of justice was beaten into us and we have carried this country on our backs since we were dragged here. We tried to save America from itself several times before, this unfortunately, isnt new. I hope to be resting from America in another country before January."

**
8. @TheEventBoutiqueDC, November 2024
""Come back and report,  let us know how it went"...  our new motto as we prepare to back out of the fight for a spell and let someone else do the work."

**
9. @ThomDavid, November 2024
"I am consuming every video that comes across my feed from the only demographic that nailed this election from the jump and never wavered: Black women. It isn’t hard to figure out the voices to listen to right now and which ones to let fly; the numbers do not lie."

**
10. @belindasanders1719, November 2024
"This 63 year old black woman says that we did our part. Let other's learn the hard way. They are going to go through some things.

 

I'm good over here."

**
11. @donnaharding9604, November 2024
"We survived chattel slavery, Jim Crow, Segregation. We will survive this. We’ve had practice. All the other others, not as much. They have not learned what Black people already knew: all of us others will NEVER be the same as them in their minds. 😢"

**
12. @jacquelineduplantier5563, November 2024
"Excellent commentary.  💯💯💯👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. 40 years ago, an older Black male co-worker stated that “there is a difference in being “brought” to America and “coming” to America.”  The 2024 election is NOT our lesson to learn!!!"

**
Reply
13. @ridge7524, November 2024
"Definitely not our lesson to learn. we are caught up in it though.  Move smart,protect 💙🗽"

**
14. @E_Loha, November 2024
"I am a Latina who as a child was spit on by white kids and told to go back where I came from (I was born here). We were 3rd largest group to vote for Harris. I will always stand for our interests as POC."

**
15. @maryhilton9039, November 2024
"Happy to be apart of the 92%"

**
16. @Islandgirl8939, November 2024
"I am so proud of how black women showed up for democracy. You are absolutely correct, this is NOT our lesson to learn."

**
17. @MaryJames-d1d, November 2024
"This is NOT Black women's fight...we have already PROVEN we will survive and be OK

**
18. @judithkcolbert8483, November 2024
"Excellent point, thank you young woman.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 The woman was right, this is not our lesson, I’m a 75 year old black woman who fought in the 60’s, we tried to tell them, now we have to suffer with them and I’m frustrated as hell. But we are survivors of this racist country, and still made progress. We have a core strength from our ancestors and  experience that has brought us this far and will continue to move us forward.🙏🏾✝️🙌🏾"

**
19. @yazohgarrison-uw6lv, November 2024
"Kamala bet on women to fight for women's rights. Black women did with voting 92% for Kamala but unfortunately white women didn't learn from 2016 and once again chose their whiteness over country by voting 53% for trump! So don't protest now! The time to do that was on November 5th with your vote.

Kamala 2028💙"

**
20. @carolynfrink5569, November 2024
"Everything you said reminds me of the history of Black Women in this country.  We have a history of caring for others at the expense of our own children and ourselves, and never experiencing the "soft life" we helped create for others. I will end it this way,  in the words of the brother on the 1980s slow jam commercial where his friend wants to borrow his LP, " No my brother,  you got to get your own ". #carryonsistahs"

**
21. @BellMeOut, November 2024
"Voted for Kamala, I'm at peace. Well said.  They gon miss us,  BW taking 2 seats now."

**
22. @vivathecat7052,November 2024
"As the saying goes: "I can show you better than I can tell you". They are about to learn the hard way and oh well."

**
23. @captm9025, November 2024
"We have to let them learn."

**
24. @AlaskaCandi, November 2024
"I’m still here due to my ancestors… yup, I’m looking out for myself now… resting n relaxing"

**
25. @kimw.9626, November 2024
"STAND DOWN! I'm feeling you 100!"

**
26.@chebbiereadsandknits672, November 2024
"I’ll be here drinking water and minding my business. We did what was needed but we can’t do it alone. Like you said, “report back, we’re resting.” "

 **
27. @karriet1, November 2024
"To my sistAH'S: we've done our part.  We tried to tell them.  They didn't want to listen.  The difference now, is that we KNOW how to navigate and survive oppression.  They will be in for a big shock.  I'm going to kindly need you all to now close your door, mind your business, and stick to God.  We need a break, so we gonna sit the next 4+ years out.  Good Luck to them ✌🏾"

**
Reply
28. @marcellekendrick5459, November 2024
"Yes my dear....sit tight and mind my business for the next 4 years. I have popcorn ready.....it is about to go down.and I am here for it."

**
29. @ellen-t1p, November 2024
"We as black women should be proud of what we did."

**
30. @johnnix862, November 2024
"Something nefarious, happened to that vote. The numbers don't match. I believe the fix is in!"

**
31. @EatWell23QWB, November 2024
"When a black woman is done, trust me she’s DONE! Going forward we will grab our popcorn, take a seat, and watch ya’ll from the sidelines. Make no mistake, black women will continue to fight for justice. We just won’t join you at your marches, protests, and rallies anymore. All those who chose to vote away our freedoms, just know that black women are DONE! Never again! Good luck! Peace & Love!"

**
Reply
32. @dorothyterry6754, November 2024
"Yep, I'm done. My sistahs, let's continue to take care of ourselves and each other."

**
33. @t.e.8084, November 2024
"Those groups that voted for Trump did not go through the pain of centuries and then years of struggle . When we achieved voting rights they did. Everything we fought for they benefited from."

**
Reply
34. @sk8queen, November 2024
"They finna seeee nowww!"

**
35. @Sarcasaurus76, November 2024
"I'm so embarrassed by the white woman's vote. 53 percent for the convict?! 

There are no words."

**
Reply
36. @captm9025
"We have to let them learn.

I've also seen 77%,  78%, and 80% given as the percentage for Black American men who voted for Kamala Harris on November 5, 2024.

**
Reply
47.@derrickscarborough3220, November 2024
"Yes they are I am part of the 81 percent too"

**
48. @cjohnson2159, December 2024
"I’m so grateful, I was a part of the 92%! I can have peace that we tried. 💯🤦🏾‍♀️"

**
49. @janjr165, December 2024
"Sometime folks have to see something for themselves to believe it. Us Black folks tried to educate and help others understand (i.e. - White people, Latinos, Muslims, Palestinians, etc); but now, they’re gonna have to go through the fire and find out what and how this country feels about “them” for themselves. Take care of yourselves, My Black People - I love you!

🙏🏾❤️"

****
VLOG DISCUSSION THREAD #2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4FePFOiPnc "Rest as Resistance: Reclaiming Rest as a Black Woman" published by Latrice Kelly, Nov 25, 2024

When was the last time you rested—not out of exhaustion, but out of intention? For Black women, rest isn't just self-care; it's a radical act of resistance. systemic oppression, such as slavery and labor exploitation, deprived Black people, especially women, of rest.

Historical patterns have influenced present-day expectations of overwork and productivity. Black women disproportionately face workplace stress and burnout. Rest reclaims humanity and joy.

Share your own journey toward embracing rest.

@ReeMoni24, January 2025
"Proud 92% here. I’m no longer stepping up to rescue anyone who’s not willing to do the same for me.😊"

**
@Julybaby69, January 2025
"Like Congresswoman Maxine Waters says “I’m Reclaiming My Time “.😁. Proud 92%❤"

**
@TonyaK-ky5pd,January 2025
"It is sad when we as black women go out to help those in need, and don`t get any help in return when we need it!

Men and white america are not on our side, women should just get together and form an alliance, where women support and protect each other!"

**
@jontisesamuelslewis7092, January 2025
"Come on, 92! 💪🏾"

****
VLOG DISCUSSION THREAD #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDOeAdylW2I "Woke White Women Are Not Happy With The 92percenters Black Women Over Women's March. #fafo", published by Esther Natukunda, Jan 13, 2025

[Pancocojams Editor's Note:
Most of these comments in this discussion thread were written in response to requests from White women asking Black women to participate in a January 18, 2025 Washington D.C. march and/or other marches to to protest Trump's policies. Instead of participating in that street march, some commenters shared that they were planning to attend a real or imaginary 92% brunch, relaxing at home, and/or doing other non-essential tasks.]  

1. @Lovejones-z9b, February 2025
"I'm done with EVERYONE!! Blacks that voted for Trump AND for  Blacks that didn't vote at all!! Sorry to my white and Latino peeps that did vote for Kamala...love ya but see you in 4 YEARS. ✊🏾"

**
2. @PurpleRain11.11, February 2025
"We Black women chillin on this one."

**
3. @Angela-v9s2m, February 2025
"I am booked and busy.  Y'all showed who you are and what you want.  Enjoy trump.  I will be drinking my water and minding my Black business."

**
4. @b.schannell747, March 2025
"My toes need to be done, hi 92% love yall gulls😊❤🎉🎉🎉"

**
5. @bookab6511
"We definitely sitting back all 2025 actually the next 4 yrs we are tired and we refuse to continue to be the voice for everyone someone else can do it we voted blue y’all went against your own now y’all crying".

****
VLOG DISCUSSION THREAD #4
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHo5QOE69qU "#FAFO Season Continues: The Awakening White Women DIDN'T See Coming 92% Black Women Are On A Break", published by Gracey D, January 13, 2025 United States

[Pancocojams Editor's Note:
Most of these comments in this discussion thread were written in response to requests from White women asking Black women to participate in a January 18, 2025 Washington D.C. march and/or other marches to to protest Trump's policies. Instead of participating in that street march, some commenters shared that they were planning to attend a real or imaginary 92% brunch, relaxing at home, and/or doing other non-essential tasks.]  


1.@DorothyTyler-e2c, February 2025
"As a  92per cent  I missed  this called to march on January 18 . But I just want to say a big thank you to my beautiful black queens, and princesses for telling those little girls why I couldn’t make the march. God blessed you my❤s!!"

**
Reply
2. @tanya45096, February 2025
"😂😂😂😂 Sure won't be marching, my cape has been dry cleaned and put away! Where were these people on November 5th, 2024?!"

**
3. @sheriewindley5148, February 2025
"Right on my sistas and beautiful queens! 92% say HAY! Becky bye!"
-snip-
"Right on" is an African American Vernacular English slang term that means "That's right." and/or
"I agree".

"Becky" is a mildly negative African American general referent for White women. 

**
4. @dinastrong7348, February 2025
"I’m a 62 year old black woman, a part of the 92% I’m March my behind to Church to give God glory, and Praise. Then after that I’m going home and chill out, watching TV getting my eating of whatever food of my choice, and rest honey, we don’t have time for y’all foolishness. This 92% will not accept any RSVP from y’all, so don’t call, don’t send any emails, don’t deliver a letter to mail box, don’t text message, don’t leave a letter in between my door, don’t RSVP me. I’m on a 4 year break."

**
5. @Jamesandcheraylucas, February 2025
"I don't have nothing to do on Monday, and I'm not going to no march. I marched to the voting booth. 👋🏼😴"

**
6. @kimberlywhitehead22, February 2025
"Hey 92%, can we learn some good skills? Skills of big mamma 'n them and the things THEY NEVER GOT....gardening, canning, meditation, enjoying quiet, quiet walks, retreats, meet ups and just enjoying and loving us!!"

**
7. @stevebuck87, February 2025
"Can this proud black man that loves this ‘I told you so moment’ get one of them 92% shirts?

I’ll share my popcorn!"

**
8. @mjusmc917, February 2025
"I’m doing my black job and minding my black biz, I’m part of the 92% and I’m 100% sure we over this FNS right here"
-snip-
FNS= abbreviation meaning "for no reason" (i.e. for no particular reason)

**
9. @anthonypierre3350, February 2025
"the 92 %  already got appointments for manicure 💅 pedicure and boodicure butt we wish you good luck 🍀 Ok 👌 …….!!!

**
10. @mayaheadley6984, February 2025
"Hi Im one of the 92% I will be really  busy these 4yrs. Please kindly Delegate all and any events to your Yt, Cuban, and Latino Counter Parts
-snip-
"Yt" =White

****
VLOG DISCUSSION THREAD #5
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1bYaW8Grt0 "MAGA To B🖤 Women What Can We Do To Make You Feel Free Around US #fafo", published by GLOBAL PRINCESS, Jan 13, 2025

1. @KathySandru, April 2025
"Leave us the hell alone! We understood the assignment & voted for VP Harris 92%! Don’t ask us to clean up your mess!"

**
2. @All.Natural, April 2025
"Not that we dont feel safe, we just know we can't trust yal! Ain't nobody scared of them! It's a trust issue, and the 92% know whats up!"

**
3. @NoName-mr8tr
"Bw here, it is not our responsibility to validate/adult-raise you folks. Go on about your business and please leave us alone. The time to talk was prior to voting day! We are no longer interested in uniting with you people.

✊🏾"

****

VLOG DISCUSSION THREAD #6
From https://youtube.com/shorts/0G3XQY0KGmw?si=Tgd9qLoibhc6-cQI "Black People, They Are Already Blaming You… Be Smart!" @TabithaSpeaksPolitics, June 13, 2025

@juanita5344, June 2025
"This is not my fight 92 % 80%✌🏽✊🏽.  To all my black families in every  city and state,  do not go out there, No our Fight!!!!"
-snip-
92%- the reported percentage of Black American women nationwide who voted for Kamala Harris for President in the November 5, 2024 United States election.

80% -   the reported percentage of Black American men nationwide who voted for Kamala Harris for President in the November 5, 2024 United States election (also given as 77%, or 78%, or 81%).
-snip-
Also, notice the non-political use of the 92% referent to refer to Black women in another video on that vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TomU3aRfTvA "Dear 92%, The Mean and Dehumanizing Comments Hurled At Other Black Women Is Not Acceptable!!", published by TabithaSpeaksPolitics, May 7, 2025

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This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Posted by at No comments:
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Tuesday, June 17, 2025

The Use of 92% As A Referent For Black American Women Who Voted For Kamala Harris For President Of The United States In The November 5, 2024 Election

 

92% of black woman voted for Kamala?????

@MaryAnnAMatos, November 26, 2024

https://youtube.com/shorts/yOasyTnLy6k?si=wERNWfsuugeUASzZ
-snip-
This is a brief clip from The View television talk show of Sunny Hostin (Asunción "Sunny" Cummings Hostin).

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunny_Hostin
[Sunny Hostin] "is an American lawyer, author, and television host. She is a co-host on ABC's morning talk show The View, for which she received nominations for Daytime Emmy Awards, as well as the Senior Legal Correspondent and Analyst for ABC News."...

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision- June 18, 2025

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series about 92% as a referent for Black American women who voted for Kamala Harris for President of the United States in the November 5, 2024 national election.  

This post showcases two YouTube video shorts and includes some online information about that use of 92%.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/06/comments-that-include-or-provide.html for Part II of this pancocojams series.That post is entitled "The "92%" Referent For Black American Women Who Voted For Kamala Harris For United States President November 2024 (Part II: Comments).

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and political purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to all those who are featured in the videos that are embedded in this pancocojams post. 
  
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Black women prioritize themselves with the #92PercentBrunchDay

@the_emancipator,, January 18, 2025

https://youtube.com/shorts/g1nKgTEmgyw?si=wyYeWt3U73mVc39k

Description: 
"Black women across the country are clinking martini and Bellini glasses as part of the “92PercentBrunch” campaign Saturday. The women’s brunch protest is counterprogramming to this weekend’s People’s March, which is spearheaded by a coalition of groups, many of them with feminist leadership. The hashtag #92PercentBrunch symbolizes the percentage of women who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris during the election. “I know the results of this election were very hard, but we did our part,” @aiofe714 shared on her TikTok account. Creators are sharing information about brunch events at -owned businesses in Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and other cities across the country. Black women who are part of the initiative say they are prioritizing their mental health throughout the whole weekend as a way of saying to the rest of the country — especially White women, who predominantly voted for Trump — it’s their turn to lean in and do the heavy work of resistance."

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AI OVERVIEW # 1 ABOUT THE USE OF 92% AS A REFERENT FOR BLACK AMERICAN WOMEN WHO VOTED FOR KAMALA HARRIS FOR USA PRESIDENT ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024

[The following AI statement is the first result that I received on June 17, 2025 for my online request for information about the significance of 92% as a political and cultural referent for Black American women..]

"In reference to Black American women, "92%" most often refers to the percentage of Black women who voted for Kamala Harris in the 2020 US presidential election, according to online sources. This strong support for Harris, who is both Black and Asian, highlights the political engagement and solidarity of Black women in the United States, according to online sources. It's also used to represent the collective strength, resilience, and unity of Black women, according to online sources.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Political Significance:

The 92% figure is directly linked to the 2020 election, where exit polls indicated that approximately 92% of Black women voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. This high percentage demonstrates the significant role Black women play in US elections and their alignment with candidates who they perceive as representing their interests, according to online sources.

Symbol of Unity and Strength:

Beyond the specific election, the "92%" has become a broader symbol of the solidarity, resilience, and collective power of Black women. It signifies their unwavering support for one another and their ability to overcome adversity.

Cultural Impact:

The "92%" has also been adopted in various cultural contexts, including apparel collections and social media movements, to celebrate and uplift Black women. These initiatives aim to foster a sense of community and pride among Black women, according to online sources."

****

AI OVERVIEW # 2 ABOUT THE USE OF 92% AS A REFERENT FOR BLACK AMERICAN WOMEN WHO VOTED FOR KAMALA HARRIS FOR USA PRESIDENT ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024

[The following AI statement is the second result that I received on June 17, 2025 for my online request for information about the significance of 92% as a political and cultural referent for Black American women.

I posted the same request two times since I was curious if I would receive different results for the same request.]

"In reference to the 2024 United States election, 92% represents the approximate percentage of Black American women who voted for Kamala Harris.  

Here's what this means in context: 

Strong Support for Harris: This high percentage highlights the overwhelming support for the Democratic ticket among Black women voters in the 2024 election. They are consistently a key demographic for the Democratic party.

Continuation of a Trend: This level of support is similar to the strong backing Black women gave to Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

Demonstration of Political Solidarity and Agency: For many Black women, this overwhelming support was not just about party affiliation but also deeply personal, reflecting their political solidarity and agency.

In summary, 92% signifies the significant and consistent support that Black American women voters demonstrated for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election."
-snip-
Much less often than the 92% referent for Black American women, I've come across the online use of 77%, or 78%, or 80% as a referent for Black American men who voted for Kamala Harris for President of the United States in that November 5, 2024 national election. 

**
Although there's an AI online statement [quoted above in this post] that exit polls of voters indicates that 92% of Black American women voted in 2020 for Joe Biden for President and Kamala Harris for Vice President, I haven't found any examples of 92% being used as a referent for Black American women prior to November 6, 2024.

**
In addition to "92%" being used as a referent for that population of Black American women voters, notice that Showcase Video #2 that is embedded in this pancocojams post features the use of the hashtag "#92PercentBrunch".  As far as I'm aware, that hashtag doesn't appear to have been used after that January 18, 2025 date, although vlogs and comments are still widespread (as of the June 17, 2025 publishing date of this pancocojams post} that instead of participating in marches and rallies protesting the Trump regime, Black American women who are part of the 92% should protest in other ways -such as boycotting certain big businesses- and instead of participating in street protests we should  92%.should rest and/or engage in relaxing activities.. 

**
If you know of any examples of the use of 92% as a referent for Black American women voters for Biden/Harris in 2020, please share that information in this post's discussion thread. Thanks!   

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TWO EXAMPLES OF THE USE OF 92% AS A REFERENT FOR BLACK AMERICAN WOMEN WHO VOTED FOR KAMALA HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES

Excerpt #1: 
From https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1069439851122653 Mayor Ras J Baraka*, Nov. 6, 2024 [Facebook video and statement]

"There’s a reason 92% of Black women voted Kamala Harris and 78% of Black men showed up to vote. They can’t afford to sit out, they had to vote to protect their families."
-snip-
Ras J Baraka is an African American man who is currently the mayor of Newark. New Jersey. Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras_Baraka for information about Ras Baraka.

****
Excerpt #2
From https://auontaianderson.medium.com/a-letter-to-the-92-of-black-women-91493cef5441 "A Letter to the 92% of Black Women"

The Honorable Auon’tai M. Anderson, Nov 7, 2024

"Dear Black Women,

Thank you. Thank you for all that you have done and all that you continue to do, often without the recognition and honor you deserve. You have carried a political party on your backs through some of the most challenging presidential elections in American history. Your unwavering commitment and your resilience have kept this nation moving forward, even when it hasn’t reciprocated the love, loyalty, or respect you’ve poured into it.

I know you’re feeling the weight of this moment, the ache of seeing America once again miss the chance to fully recognize the brilliance of a Black woman, of Kamala Harris, in the White House. But I want you to know that I, along with countless Black men, see you. We see the strength in your struggle, the sacrifices you make, and the grace with which you carry the burdens of our community. If you need to take a moment to breathe, to step back, to rest, know that we are here to pick up that load. We are committed to standing beside you and honoring your efforts in every way that we can.

[…]

As you rest and recharge, lift your head high, for you are the queens who carry crowns that generations before you have fought to place on your heads. Do not let this country make you feel that your efforts were in vain, because without you, this nation would have faltered long ago.

We know that storms are inevitable, and we’re in one now. But as our ancestors taught us, after every storm comes the rainbow. And on the other side of this struggle, we will find the light. Together, we will hear the birds sing once more, and we will see the colors of hope and progress stretch across the sky, a reminder of the beauty and power that follows every challenge.”…
-snip-
This sentence was written in this letter with bold font.

****
This concludes Part I of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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Monday, June 16, 2025

"Rock Steady" Children's Cheers (YouTube videos, information, and word only examples)




Audrey Schaener, Published on Jan 24, 2017
-snip-
This high school cheerleading squad is from Newark High School in Newark, Ohio.

This cheer squad performs "Rock Steady" in a stomp & shake style.

Here's my transcription of this cheer:

Rock
Steady
'Cause your team ain't even ready to
Rock, Rock, Rock, Rock Steady.

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision- January 17, 2025

This pancocojams post is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the American R&B songs, children's cheerleader cheers, and military cadences that have the title "Rock Steady".

This post presents information, text (word only), and YouTube video examples of the African American originated children's cheerleading cheers entitled "Rock Steady."

This post also includes my comments about the meaning of the term "rock steady".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/examples-of-comments-about-aretha.html for Part I of this series.

Part I features videos of Aretha Franklin's 1971 dance song "Rock Steady" and The Whispers' 1987 dance song "Rock Steady". Part I also includes my comments about the inspiration for the title of those two songs. 

Part I of this pancocojams series also includes information about the meaning of the term "rock steady" in those two songs, and information about the dance movement that was usually performed for those two songs.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and recreational purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to those cheerleaders who are featured in this post. Thanks also to the YouTube publishers of these videos. Thanks to all those whose examples are showcased in this pancocojams post. 
-snip-
This post is replaces a pancocojams post that was published on May 20, 2017. That post didn't have any comments.
 
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THE INSPIRATION FOR THE R&B SONGS, UNITED STATES MILITARY CADENCES , AND CHILDREN'S CHEERS WITH THE TITLE "ROCK STEADY"

The name of Jamaican "Rocksteady" music genre* was the inspiration for the title of Aretha Franklin's 1972 hit record. 

The title of the 1987 R&B song "Rock Steady" by The Whispers was inspired by the title of  Aretha Franklin's 1972 song.

The United States military cadences with the title "Rock Steady" were influenced by R&B songs with that title. This conforms with the tradition that United States military has of lifting lyrics from popular music and especially R&B music to create cadences.

Several military cadences that I have found online include lyrics from the Whispers' version of that song which aren't included in Aretha Franklin's version of that song. 

The children's cheerleader cheers with the title "Rock Steady" were inspired by the 1987 "Rock Steady" song by The Whispers instead of the 1972 "Rock Steady" song by Aretha Franklin.  Those cheers usually have some lyrics from the Whispers song that aren't found in Aretha Franklin's song. Furthermore, I've yet to come across any examples of children's cheerleading cheers with the phrase "rock steady" (and not just "rock"). Also, I haven't found any online examples of "Rock Steady" children's cheers prior to 1987.

*From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocksteady
"Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica around 1966.[1] A successor of ska and a precursor to reggae, rocksteady was the dominant style of music in Jamaica for nearly two years, performed by many of the artists who helped establish reggae"...

From https://www.liveabout.com/rocksteady-music-3552838
"The Word "Rocksteady"

Songs that described dances were very popular in the 1950s and 1960s in the US and Europe, as well as Jamaica. In the US, we had "The Twist", "The Locomotion", and many others, but one popular dance-song in Jamaica was "The Rock Steady" by Alton Ellis. It is believed that the name for the entire genre was based on this song title.

The Rocksteady Sound

Like ska, rocksteady is music that was popular for street dances. However, unlike the wild ska dancing (called skanking), rocksteady provides a slower, mellower beat, allowing for more relaxed dancing. Rocksteady bands, such as Justin Hinds and the Dominoes, frequently performed without a horn section and with a strong electric bass line, paving the way for many reggae bands that did the same."...

**By "children's cheerleader cheers", I mean cheerleader cheers & chants that are performed by children and teens in community cheerleader squads and/or in school cheerleader squads prior to colleges or universities.

****
THE MILITARY CADENCE SOURCE FOR "ROCK STEADY" CHEERS
Here's one version of the United States Military cadence entitled "Rock Steady" from  http://community.armystudyguide.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/9651093521/m/2181065521, posted by DS2000,22 January 2005

Rock, (reply) ROCK!
steady, (reply) STEADY!
Roll, (reply) ROLL!
Ready (reply) READY! - sometimes I use EASY here instead of READY. Or sometimes after they say ROLL, I will scream, "I can't here you!" then go back to the "Rock" at the beginning.

You've got the right, the right to rock steady, ( reply is the same )

You've got the right to ROLL when you're ready, ( reply is the same )

(then you say the top part again twice)

Rock, Rock, Steady, Steady Charlie Rock is always ready! ( reply is same)
Rock, Rock Steady, Steady 1st Platoon is always ready! ( reply is same)



That's about all I can recall right now. If I think of anymore I'll add it. Feel free to insert your own words as well. I do it all the time! LOL

Hope this helps!

Location: Baumholder, Germany."...
-snip-
Compare the line "Charlie Rock is always ready" with the line "cause your team ain't even ready" that is usually found in examples of "Rock Steady" children's cheers. I believe " 'cause our team is always ready" was the earliest version of that line, but that praise/encouraging version isn't (doesn't appear to have been been) as widely used in children's cheers as the insult, put down version of that line.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/rock-steady-military-cadences-with.html for examples of Rock Steady military cadences.

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RHYTHM AND BLUES RECORD SOURCES FOR "ROCK STEADY" CHEERS
The 1987 "Rock Steady" song by The Whispers and the 1971 "Rock Steady" song by Aretha Franklin probably influenced the popularity of the "Rock Steady" cheer. However, most children who perform/ed these cheerleader cheers probably know about those R&B records.
-snip-
The children's "Rock Steady" have nothing to do with the "Rocksteady" Jamaican music genre which was and still is largely unknown in the United States. 

Click this pancocojams post for information about Rocksteady music: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/classic-jamaican-rocksteady-songs-sound.html.

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WHY I BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN'S "ROCK STEADY" CHEERS ARE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ORIGIN
I believe that the children's "Rock Steady" cheers have their source in African American culture because

1. Military cadences are the earliest documentation of the "rock steady" term and other lines that are found in those cheers.  Most military cadences are of African American origin. Click these links for information about the African American roots of military cadences:
https://www.nps.gov/lowe/learn/news/calling-track-military-cadence-calls-how-a-southern-african-american-tradition-influenced-basic-training.htm  Calling Track & Military Cadence Calls: How a Southern African American Tradition Influenced Basic Training, News Release Date: February 16, 2011

and
https://www.army.mil/article/51827/u_s_army_jody_call_has_black_roots U.S. Army Jody Call has black roots; By Ms. Yvonne Johnson (Army Homepage), February 14, 2011

*
2. The earliest documented examples of children's "Rock Steady" cheers are from African Americans. Furthermore, the creation of "Rock Steady" children's cheerleader cheers was influenced by African American Rhythm & Blues songs that were entitled "Rock Steady".

The children's cheer versions of "Rock Steady" showcase the praise and/or insult themes that are central to many African American social songs, rhymes and cheers.

My guess is that the words in the earliest examples of these cheers focused on praising the the cheerleader's athlete team i.e. "Rock Steady. 'cause our team is always ready" .

At some point, versions of "Rock Steady" chanted to confrontational/insult (dissing) cheers i.e. "Rock Steady. 'Cause your team ain't even ready".

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WHAT "ROCK STEADY" MEANS IN CHILDREN'S CHEERLEADING CHEERS
The standard meaning for "rock steady" is being "consistent and dependable in one's behaviour or performance." https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/rock-steady#:~:text=Consistent%20and%20dependable%20in%20one's%20behaviour%20or%20performance. 

That slang term comes from the saying "to be as steady as a rock".

However, in children's cheerleader cheers, "Rock steady" means [Our team] is "really rocking" [doing something really well" i.e. They have consistently performed very well.]

As such, "Rock steady" is related to the American colloquial expression "You rock!" (meaning "You're great."/and/or "You're [doing something] very well")

The standard lines that follow the words "Rock steady" in that cheer are " 'Cause your team ain't even ready"/to rock". Those lines mean "Your team really isn't able to beat (out score) our team". 

Depending on the type of children's cheerleading*, cheerleaders (particularly female cheerleaders) will swing their hips from side to side when they perform this cheer to imitate the movement of a boat rocking from side to side. 

In dance terms "rock steady" means that women and men continuously move their hips from side to side to the record's beat.

In mainstream cheerleading, cheerleaders don't shake their butts or rock their hips.

In contrast, as the name "stomp and shake" implies, hip swinging is an integral feature of stomp and shake cheerleader squads. Therefore stomp and shake cheerleaders and cheerleaders from squads that combine a larger portion of stomp and shake cheerleading, perform "Rock Steady" (and other cheers) in a more up tempo, percussive way with much more hip swinging.

In modified mainstream that includes some stomp and shake movements, to some greater or lesser degree, female cheerleaders shake their butts and rock their hips.

Based on various YouTube videos, such as those showcased below, it appears that a significant number of American children's cheerleading squads have adopted some (usually small) degree of hip shaking into their cheer routines. 

*Adhering to societal norms, male cheerleaders usually don't swing their hips while performing this cheer (including in stomp and shake cheerleading.)  

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ARE "ROCK STEADY" CHEERS EXAMPLES OF CALL & RESPONSE 
Some "Rock Steady" cheers have the leader/group textual structure. However, since the early 2000s, it appears that most versions of "Rock Steady" cheers have been chanted in unison.

One form of call & response is the group/consecutive soloist pattern of foot stomping cheers*. 

Example #2 and Example #6 below have a leader/group textual (word) format, but aren't foot stomping cheers.

Example #8 below shows cheerleaders chanting a "Rock Steady" cheer in unison while performing a routine that includes body patting (i.e. "pattin juba";  hand slapping your thighs, knees, and/or chest).,  Some foot stomping cheers also include body patting.

*Here's an example of a foot stomping cheer that isn't based on a "Rock Steady" song or a "Rock Steady" military cadence: 

A BULLDOG 

Group: Ah bull dog.
Ah bull dog.
Ah bull dog.
Ah bull dog.
Soloist #1: My name is Kayla.
Group: Ah bulldog.
Soloist #1: And I’m gonna show you how to work that bulldog.
Group: Ah bulldog.
Soloist #1: First you roll it.
Control it.
Then you bounce it.
Announce it.
Then you pop it.
Don’t stop it.
Then you creep it.
Don’t sleep it. (or “Don’t weep it”.)
Then you stop,
Think,
A ring a ding ding.

Repeat the exact same cheer with the next soloist. Continue with this pattern until every member of the group has had one turn as soloist.
- Jasmine, Indonesia, Brittany, Kayla, Felicia, & Tiara (African American females ages 9-12 years), Alafia Children’s Ensemble, Braddock, Pennsylvania, Collected by Azizi Powell 10/2000
-snip-
For information about foot stomping cheers, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/11/an-overview-of-foot-stomping-cheers.html "An Overview Of Foot Stomping Cheers From the 1970s To The Early 2000s & How And Where Some Of Those Cheers & Their Movement Art Has Survived In The 2000s".

For some examples of foot stomping cheers, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/09/foot-stomping-cheers-alphabetical-list.html for Part I of a five part pancocojams series entitled Pancocojams Compilation Of Foot Stomping Cheers (Alphabetical List..."

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS & TRANSCRIPTIONS (LYRICS) FOR SOME "ROCK STEADY" CHEERS

These examples are given in no particular order.

Most of these transcriptions were done by me from the videos.

 Additions & corrections are very welcome.

CHEER LYRICS (Example #1)
Rock, rock steady
Cause your team
Ain't even ready
To rock rock rock rock
Steady eddy eddy eddy rock
Rock steady

[repeat several times]
-posted by Sydney Calloway, Uploaded on Jan 16, 2010
-snip-
This is my transcription from a video that was published by Sydney Calloway. That video is no longer available. The video's summary read "Jv cheerleaders preforming rock steady at an away game during a quater at the boys basketball game."
-snip-
The words "Steady eddy eddy" are included in many but not all of the "Rock Steady" cheerleading cheers. That phrase isn't found in either Aretha Franklin 1971 "Rock Steady" song or in The Whispers' 1987 "Rock Steady" song.

My guess is that the phrase "steady eddy eddy eddy" is based on the military cadence line "ready, ready, ready" line in some "Rock Steady" military cadences.

****
Example #2: Rock Steady
Pancocojams Editor's note:
This video that was uploaded by markus gray on Jun 8, 2010 is no longer available, as of at least July 6, 2017. Here are the words to that version of this cheer which were posted by markus gray: 

[I believe this is a statement that the commenter made that isn't part of the cheer] "Rock Steady"....you know!!!!]

ROCK STEADY

Squad: Rock (clap clap clap) steady (clap clap clap)
YES we rock, we rock, we rock steady
One person: So what's up girl?
Squad: Rock, (clap clap clap) steady (clap clap clap)
YES we rock, we rock, we rock steady
I said we like to rock.
We like to rock steady.
I said we like to rock.
We like to rock steady.
Hit it. Steddy eddy eddy eddy
Rock.
-posted by markus gray, Uploaded on Jun 8, 2010

****
Example #3: ROCK STEADY CHEER by Newark Varsity Squad

This video is given at the top of this post. 

****
Example #4: PHS CHEERLEADERS Rock Steady



PHSExtraordinary, Uploaded on Nov 14, 2010

ROCK....STEADY......CAUSE YOUR TEAM......AINT EVEN READY!!!!! Lets go Rockets!!!!!! Varsity Cheerleaders

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CHEER LYRICS (Example #5)
Rock, rock steady
Cause your team
Ain't even ready
To rock rock rock rock
Rock rock steady
Your team ain’t even ready
To rock rock rock rock
Rock rock steady
Cause our team is always ready
To rock rock rock rock.
-posted by PHSExtraordinary, Uploaded on Nov 14, 2010

****
Example #6: Dailey Tigers "Rock Steady"

.

daileytigers, Published on Nov 17, 2012

CHEER LYRICS 
Lead girl- Hey Tigers are you ready
Entire squad: Well get down and rock steady
Well Tigers are ready.
Well get down and rock steady.
Well Tigers are ready.
Well get down and rock steady.
[Do a body patting and foot stomping routine with a sideways body wave movement]

[Same Lead girl] –Rock steady! Ready. Okay.
[Entire squad]
We,
we
are
ready
To
rock rock rock rock
Steady eddy eddy

Rock, rock steady
Your team ain't even ready
To rock rock rock rock
Steady eddy eddy eddy
Rock steady
Your team ain't even ready
To rock rock rock rock
Steady eddy eddy eddy
Rock.
-posted by dailytigers, Published on Nov 17, 2012
-snip-
This transcription doesn't include a description of the squad's entire routine.

This cheerleading squad includes a great deal of foot stomping & body patting in its cheerleading routines.

****
Example #7: BEN L. SMITH AND EASTERN GUILFORD CHEER OFF 



ORIGINALCHEERPHI, Uploaded on Feb 21, 2008

THE EAGLES LETTIN' THE WILDCASTS KNOW THEY AINT READY TO ROCK WITH THEM AT THE ULTIMATE CHEER & DANCE EXPERIENCE TRIAD HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING COMPETITION 2007
-snip-
“Wildcasts” is probably a typo for “Wildcats”.
-snip-
Second cheer “rock steady” [.042-1:16]

CHEER LYRICS 
Say what, what, what, what*
Your team ain't even ready.
We rock
Steady.
'Cause your team
Ain't even ready
To rock, rock, rock, rock
To rock
steady
'Cause your team
Ain't even ready
To rock, rock, rock, rock.
Your team ain't even ready
To ROCK.
-snip-
*I'm unsure of this transcription. The squad might be saying "We rock, rock, rock, rock."
O(

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Example #8: ROCK STEADY CHEER by Newark Varsity Squad



Audrey Schaener, Published on Jan 24, 2017
-snip-
This high school cheerleading squad is performing "Rock Steady" in a stomp & shake style.

Cheer lyrics:
Rock
Steady
'Cause your team ain't even ready to
Rock, Rock, Rock, Rock Steady.
-Newark Varsity Squad cheer, transcribed from the video by Azizi Powell

I'm not sure where this high school is located.

****
Example #9: Rock Steady Cheer



MCE Cheer Published on Apr 12, 2013

Candid practice videos from the beginning of the year.

McEvans Cheer
-snip-
This cheer beat reminds me of a slow down version of foot stomping cheers.

There is a McEvans High School in Shaw, Mississippi. I don't know if that is where the students featured in this video are from.

Cheer Lyrics: 
Rock
Whoo!
Rock Steady
Alright Alright
Rock Rock Rock
Whoo!
Rock steady

[add more foot stomping]

Rock
Rock steady
Rock Rock Rock
Rock steady
-McEvans High School cheerleaders, transcription by Azizi Powell from the video (additions and corrections are welcome)

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Example #10: NHS Rock Steady Cheer 10 4 13


Nottingham High School Video, Published on Oct 8, 2013
-snip-
I'm not sure where this school is located. Google search lists a Nottingham High School in Syracuse, New York and a Nottingham, High School in Hamilton Township, New Jersey.

Cheer lyrics: 
Rock
Rock steady
Oh yeah!

[repeat this entire portion multiple times]

Rock, rock, rock, rock
Steady steady, steady, steady
'cause he's not even ready
Rock
[repeat entire cheer]
-Nottingham High School cheerleaders, t

****
Example #11: Rock Steady 


Fluco Cheerleading, Sep 14, 2022

Cheer Lyrics:

Rock rock rock rock
Steady- eady- eady eady
Rock
Rock steady
The flucos
Are getting ready
To

(x2 then go into remix)

(Remix)

Hold up

Remix

Rock, Rock, steady, steady
Their team ain’t even ready
to rock
Rock steady
Rock
Rock steady
Rock, Rock, steady, steady
Their team ain’t even ready

****
Example #12 - Rock Steady 



@CHEERSHEATE, February 13, 2024

Cheer Lyrics

One cheerleader- Rock Steady
Steady eddy eddy eddy
Entire squad- Rock
Rock steady
'Cause your team
Ain't even ready
Another cheerleader- Break it down now!
Entire squad- Rock, rock, rock, rock
Steady, eddy eddy eddy
Rock steady

**** 

This includes Part II in this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome. 

Posted by at No comments:
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Saturday, June 14, 2025

Fmr. President Barack Obama Speaks At Mandela Day In South Africa July 18, 2018 (video & complete transcript) June 14, 2024 Complete Reprint



NBC News, Streamed live on Jul 17, 2018 [Length: 1:24:46]

In his first major speech since leaving public office, former President Barack Obama is delivering the 2018 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post is a complete reprint of a July 18, 2018 pancocojams post that documents Former United States President Barack Obama's speech in South Africa for Nelson Mandela Day. 

That June 18, 2024 post provides three article excerpts and four videos about Mandela Day, with a special focus on Nelson Mandela's 100th Birthday: July 18, 2018.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/07/fmr-president-barack-obama-speaks-at.html for that post entitled "Fmr. President Barack Obama Speaks At Mandela Day In South Africa July 18, 2018 (video & complete transcript)". for that 2018 post that has three comments as of June 14, 2025 at 8:00 Am EDT.

The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Nelson Mandela for his life's legacy and thanks to former United States President Barack Obama for his speech and much more. Thanks to the writer of this article and the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
I'm reprinting this pancocojams post on June 14, 2025 in recognition of the 2025 social media drive that encourages Black Americans and other people honor Barack Obama as a protest of Donald Trump's June 14, 2025 military parade and Trump and the Trump 47's regime's other policies and actions. 

Here's an excerpt about No Kings Day Protests from https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/no-kings-day-protests-trump-june-14-what-to-know/

Note that this pancocojams post was published around 8:30 AM June 14, 2025 which was prior to the beginning of No Kings Day protests.  

"Millions of people are set to rally across the nation in opposition to President Donald Trump’s extreme agenda and to counterprogram the military parade in Washington, D.C.

Dubbed “No Kings Day,” the over 2,000 planned demonstrations are set to kick off Saturday morning, June 14. The protests have been organized by hundreds of organizations and grass-roots groups, including the ACLU, Public Citizen, Indivisible and 50501.

A full map and list of events can be found here. For those who can’t attend in person, some media outlets are set to stream protests from multiple cities around the U.S.

“No Kings Day is about standing up for our democracy. Standing up for our rights, our liberties  and making sure that we are sending a strong message that we are going to have a free and fair democracy,” Deirdre Schifeling, the ACLU’s chief political and advocacy officer, told Democracy Docket Friday."....

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Here's an excerpt about this Obama Appreciation social media drive:
From https://www.newsweek.com/trump-birthday-barack-obama-day-2084489
"Plans to celebrate a new "Barack Obama Day" have been scheduled to coincide with President Donald Trump's birthday as protests against Trump continue.

Posting on social media, Americans encouraged people to celebrate the former president on June 14, despite the 44th president's real birthday being August 4. It comes amid a growing backlash to the current president.

Why It Matters

The social media action comes as activists are coordinating a protest on June 14, targeting a military-style parade planned by the Trump administration on Flag Day, which coincides with the president's birthday."...

****   
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/07/article-excerpts-videos-about-mandela.html for a companion pancocojams post entitled
"Article Excerpts & Videos About Mandela Day (July 18, 2018 100th birth date and annually on July 18th)"

****
COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT OF FORMER BARACK OBAMA'S 2018 MANDELA DAY SPEECH 
From http://time.com/5341180/barack-obama-south-africa-speech-transcript/ 'We Now Stand at a Crossroads.' Here's What Barack Obama Said During His First Big Speech Since He Left Office
By Alix Langone, July 17, 2018
...Transcript begins:
"Thank you. To Mama Graça Machel, members of the Mandela family, the Machel family, to President Ramaphosa who you can see is inspiring new hope in this great country – professor, doctor, distinguished guests, to Mama Sisulu and the Sisulu family, to the people of South Africa – it is a singular honor for me to be here with all of you as we gather to celebrate the birth and life of one of history’s true giants.

Let me begin by a correction and a few confessions. The correction is that I am a very good dancer. I just want to be clear about that. Michelle is a little better.

The confessions. Number one, I was not exactly invited to be here. I was ordered in a very nice way to be here by Graça Machel.

Confession number two: I forgot my geography and the fact that right now it’s winter in South Africa. I didn’t bring a coat, and this morning I had to send somebody out to the mall because I am wearing long johns. I was born in Hawaii.

Confession number three: When my staff told me that I was to deliver a lecture, I thought back to the stuffy old professors in bow ties and tweed, and I wondered if this was one more sign of the stage of life that I’m entering, along with gray hair and slightly failing eyesight. I thought about the fact that my daughters think anything I tell them is a lecture. I thought about the American press and how they often got frustrated at my long-winded answers at press conferences, when my responses didn’t conform to two-minute soundbites. But given the strange and uncertain times that we are in – and they are strange, and they are uncertain – with each day’s news cycles bringing more head-spinning and disturbing headlines, I thought maybe it would be useful to step back for a moment and try to get some perspective. So I hope you’ll indulge me, despite the slight chill, as I spend much of this lecture reflecting on where we’ve been, and how we arrived at this present moment, in the hope that it will offer us a roadmap for where we need to go next.

One hundred years ago, Madiba was born in the village of M – oh, see there, I always get that – I got to get my Ms right when I’m in South Africa. Mvezo – I got it. Truthfully, it’s because it’s so cold, my lips stuck. So in his autobiography he describes a happy childhood; he’s looking after cattle, he’s playing with the other boys, eventually attends a school where his teacher gave him the English name Nelson. And as many of you know, he’s quoted saying, ‘Why she bestowed this particular name upon me, I have no idea.’

There was no reason to believe that a young black boy at this time, in this place, could in any way alter history. After all, South Africa was then less than a decade removed from full British control. Already, laws were being codified to implement racial segregation and subjugation, the network of laws that would be known as apartheid. Most of Africa, including my father’s homeland, was under colonial rule. The dominant European powers, having ended a horrific world war just a few months after Madiba’s birth, viewed this continent and its people primarily as spoils in a contest for territory and abundant natural resources and cheap labor. And the inferiority of the black race, an indifference towards black culture and interests and aspirations, was a given.

And such a view of the world – that certain races, certain nations, certain groups were inherently superior, and that violence and coercion is the primary basis for governance, that the strong necessarily exploit the weak, that wealth is determined primarily by conquest – that view of the world was hardly confined to relations between Europe and Africa, or relations between whites and blacks. Whites were happy to exploit other whites when they could. And by the way, blacks were often willing to exploit other blacks. And around the globe, the majority of people lived at subsistence levels, without a say in the politics or economic forces that determined their lives. Often they were subject to the whims and cruelties of distant leaders. The average person saw no possibility of advancing from the circumstances of their birth. Women were almost uniformly subordinate to men. Privilege and status was rigidly bound by caste and color and ethnicity and religion. And even in my own country, even in democracies like the United States, founded on a declaration that all men are created equal, racial segregation and systemic discrimination was the law in almost half the country and the norm throughout the rest of the country.

That was the world just 100 years ago. There are people alive today who were alive in that world. It is hard, then, to overstate the remarkable transformations that have taken place since that time. A second World War, even more terrible than the first, along with a cascade of liberation movements from Africa to Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, would finally bring an end to colonial rule. More and more peoples, having witnessed the horrors of totalitarianism, the repeated mass slaughters of the 20th century, began to embrace a new vision for humanity, a new idea, one based not only on the principle of national self-determination, but also on the principles of democracy and rule of law and civil rights and the inherent dignity of every single individual.

In those nations with market-based economies, suddenly union movements developed; and health and safety and commercial regulations were instituted; and access to public education was expanded; and social welfare systems emerged, all with the aim of constraining the excesses of capitalism and enhancing its ability to provide opportunity not just to some but to all people. And the result was unmatched economic growth and a growth of the middle class. And in my own country, the moral force of the civil rights movement not only overthrew Jim Crow laws but it opened up the floodgates for women and historically marginalized groups to reimagine themselves, to find their own voices, to make their own claims to full citizenship.

It was in service of this long walk towards freedom and justice and equal opportunity that Nelson Mandela devoted his life. At the outset, his struggle was particular to this place, to his homeland – a fight to end apartheid, a fight to ensure lasting political and social and economic equality for its disenfranchised non-white citizens. But through his sacrifice and unwavering leadership and, perhaps most of all, through his moral example, Mandela and the movement he led would come to signify something larger. He came to embody the universal aspirations of dispossessed people all around the world, their hopes for a better life, the possibility of a moral transformation in the conduct of human affairs.

Madiba’s light shone so brightly, even from that narrow Robben Island cell, that in the late ‘70s he could inspire a young college student on the other side of the world to reexamine his own priorities, could make me consider the small role I might play in bending the arc of the world towards justice. And when later, as a law student, I witnessed Madiba emerge from prison, just a few months, you’ll recall, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, I felt the same wave of hope that washed through hearts all around the world.

Do you remember that feeling? It seemed as if the forces of progress were on the march, that they were inexorable. Each step he took, you felt this is the moment when the old structures of violence and repression and ancient hatreds that had so long stunted people’s lives and confined the human spirit – that all that was crumbling before our eyes. And then as Madiba guided this nation through negotiation painstakingly, reconciliation, its first fair and free elections; as we all witnessed the grace and the generosity with which he embraced former enemies, the wisdom for him to step away from power once he felt his job was complete, we understood that – we understood it was not just the subjugated, the oppressed who were being freed from the shackles of the past. The subjugator was being offered a gift, being given a chance to see in a new way, being given a chance to participate in the work of building a better world.

And during the last decades of the 20th century, the progressive, democratic vision that Nelson Mandela represented in many ways set the terms of international political debate. It doesn’t mean that vision was always victorious, but it set the terms, the parameters; it guided how we thought about the meaning of progress, and it continued to propel the world forward. Yes, there were still tragedies – bloody civil wars from the Balkans to the Congo. Despite the fact that ethnic and sectarian strife still flared up with heartbreaking regularity, despite all that as a consequence of the continuation of nuclear détente, and a peaceful and prosperous Japan, and a unified Europe anchored in NATO, and the entry of China into the world’s system of trade – all that greatly reduced the prospect of war between the world’s great powers. And from Europe to Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, dictatorships began to give way to democracies. The march was on. A respect for human rights and the rule of law, enumerated in a declaration by the United Nations, became the guiding norm for the majority of nations, even in places where the reality fell far short of the ideal. Even when those human rights were violated, those who violated human rights were on the defensive.

And with these geopolitical changes came sweeping economic changes. The introduction of market-based principles, in which previously closed economies along with the forces of global integration powered by new technologies, suddenly unleashed entrepreneurial talents to those that once had been relegated to the periphery of the world economy, who hadn’t counted. Suddenly they counted. They had some power; they had the possibilities of doing business. And then came scientific breakthroughs and new infrastructure and the reduction of armed conflicts. And suddenly a billion people were lifted out of poverty, and once-starving nations were able to feed themselves, and infant mortality rates plummeted. And meanwhile, the spread of the internet made it possible for people to connect across oceans, and cultures and continents instantly were brought together, and potentially, all the world’s knowledge could be in the hands of a small child in even the most remote village.

That’s what happened just over the course of a few decades. And all that progress is real. It has been broad, and it has been deep, and it all happened in what – by the standards of human history – was nothing more than a blink of an eye. And now an entire generation has grown up in a world that by most measures has gotten steadily freer and healthier and wealthier and less violent and more tolerant during the course of their lifetimes.

It should make us hopeful. But if we cannot deny the very real strides that our world has made since that moment when Madiba took those steps out of confinement, we also have to recognize all the ways that the international order has fallen short of its promise. In fact, it is in part because of the failures of governments and powerful elites to squarely address the shortcomings and contradictions of this international order that we now see much of the world threatening to return to an older, a more dangerous, a more brutal way of doing business.

So we have to start by admitting that whatever laws may have existed on the books, whatever wonderful pronouncements existed in constitutions, whatever nice words were spoken during these last several decades at international conferences or in the halls of the United Nations, the previous structures of privilege and power and injustice and exploitation never completely went away. They were never fully dislodged. Caste differences still impact the life chances of people on the Indian subcontinent. Ethnic and religious differences still determine who gets opportunity from the Central Europe to the Gulf. It is a plain fact that racial discrimination still exists in both the United States and South Africa. And it is also a fact that the accumulated disadvantages of years of institutionalized oppression have created yawning disparities in income, and in wealth, and in education, and in health, in personal safety, in access to credit. Women and girls around the world continue to be blocked from positions of power and authority. They continue to be prevented from getting a basic education. They are disproportionately victimized by violence and abuse. They’re still paid less than men for doing the same work. That’s still happening. Economic opportunity, for all the magnificence of the global economy, all the shining skyscrapers that have transformed the landscape around the world, entire neighborhoods, entire cities, entire regions, entire nations have been bypassed.

In other words, for far too many people, the more things have changed, the more things stayed the same.

And while globalization and technology have opened up new opportunities, have driven remarkable economic growth in previously struggling parts of the world, globalization has also upended the agricultural and manufacturing sectors in many countries. It’s also greatly reduced the demand for certain workers, has helped weaken unions and labor’s bargaining power. It’s made it easier for capital to avoid tax laws and the regulations of nation-states – can just move billions, trillions of dollars with a tap of a computer key.

And the result of all these trends has been an explosion in economic inequality. It’s meant that a few dozen individuals control the same amount of wealth as the poorest half of humanity. That’s not an exaggeration, that’s a statistic. Think about that. In many middle-income and developing countries, new wealth has just tracked the old bad deal that people got because it reinforced or even compounded existing patterns of inequality, the only difference is it created even greater opportunities for corruption on an epic scale. And for once solidly middle-class families in advanced economies like the United States, these trends have meant greater economic insecurity, especially for those who don’t have specialized skills, people who were in manufacturing, people working in factories, people working on farms.

In every country just about, the disproportionate economic clout of those at the top has provided these individuals with wildly disproportionate influence on their countries’ political life and on its media; on what policies are pursued and whose interests end up being ignored. Now, it should be noted that this new international elite, the professional class that supports them, differs in important respects from the ruling aristocracies of old. It includes many who are self-made. It includes champions of meritocracy. And although still mostly white and male, as a group they reflect a diversity of nationalities and ethnicities that would have not existed a hundred years ago. A decent percentage consider themselves liberal in their politics, modern and cosmopolitan in their outlook. Unburdened by parochialism, or nationalism, or overt racial prejudice or strong religious sentiment, they are equally comfortable in New York or London or Shanghai or Nairobi or Buenos Aires, or Johannesburg. Many are sincere and effective in their philanthropy. Some of them count Nelson Mandela among their heroes. Some even supported Barack Obama for the presidency of the United States, and by virtue of my status as a former head of state, some of them consider me as an honorary member of the club. And I get invited to these fancy things, you know? They’ll fly me out.

But what’s nevertheless true is that in their business dealings, many titans of industry and finance are increasingly detached from any single locale or nation-state, and they live lives more and more insulated from the struggles of ordinary people in their countries of origin. And their decisions – their decisions to shut down a manufacturing plant, or to try to minimize their tax bill by shifting profits to a tax haven with the help of high-priced accountants or lawyers, or their decision to take advantage of lower-cost immigrant labor, or their decision to pay a bribe – are often done without malice; it’s just a rational response, they consider, to the demands of their balance sheets and their shareholders and competitive pressures.

But too often, these decisions are also made without reference to notions of human solidarity – or a ground-level understanding of the consequences that will be felt by particular people in particular communities by the decisions that are made. And from their board rooms or retreats, global decision-makers don’t get a chance to see sometimes the pain in the faces of laid-off workers. Their kids don’t suffer when cuts in public education and health care result as a consequence of a reduced tax base because of tax avoidance. They can’t hear the resentment of an older tradesman when he complains that a newcomer doesn’t speak his language on a job site where he once worked. They’re less subject to the discomfort and the displacement that some of their countrymen may feel as globalization scrambles not only existing economic arrangements, but traditional social and religious mores.

Which is why, at the end of the 20th century, while some Western commentators were declaring the end of history and the inevitable triumph of liberal democracy and the virtues of the global supply chain, so many missed signs of a brewing backlash – a backlash that arrived in so many forms. It announced itself most violently with 9/11 and the emergence of transnational terrorist networks, fueled by an ideology that perverted one of the world’s great religions and asserted a struggle not just between Islam and the West but between Islam and modernity, and an ill-advised U.S. invasion of Iraq didn’t help, accelerating a sectarian conflict. Russia, already humiliated by its reduced influence since the collapse of the Soviet Union, feeling threatened by democratic movements along its borders, suddenly started reasserting authoritarian control and in some cases meddling with its neighbors. China, emboldened by its economic success, started bristling against criticism of its human rights record; it framed the promotion of universal values as nothing more than foreign meddling, imperialism under a new name. Within the United States, within the European Union, challenges to globalization first came from the left but then came more forcefully from the right, as you started seeing populist movements – which, by the way, are often cynically funded by right-wing billionaires intent on reducing government constraints on their business interests – these movements tapped the unease that was felt by many people who lived outside of the urban cores; fears that economic security was slipping away, that their social status and privileges were eroding, that their cultural identities were being threatened by outsiders, somebody that didn’t look like them or sound like them or pray as they did.

And perhaps more than anything else, the devastating impact of the 2008 financial crisis, in which the reckless behavior of financial elites resulted in years of hardship for ordinary people all around the world, made all the previous assurances of experts ring hollow – all those assurances that somehow financial regulators knew what they were doing, that somebody was minding the store, that global economic integration was an unadulterated good. Because of the actions taken by governments during and after that crisis, including, I should add, by aggressive steps by my administration, the global economy has now returned to healthy growth. But the credibility of the international system, the faith in experts in places like Washington or Brussels, all that had taken a blow.

And a politics of fear and resentment and retrenchment began to appear, and that kind of politics is now on the move. It’s on the move at a pace that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago. I am not being alarmist, I am simply stating the facts. Look around. Strongman politics are ascendant suddenly, whereby elections and some pretense of democracy are maintained – the form of it – but those in power seek to undermine every institution or norm that gives democracy meaning. In the West, you’ve got far-right parties that oftentimes are based not just on platforms of protectionism and closed borders, but also on barely hidden racial nationalism. Many developing countries now are looking at China’s model of authoritarian control combined with mercantilist capitalism as preferable to the messiness of democracy. Who needs free speech as long as the economy is going good? The free press is under attack. Censorship and state control of media is on the rise. Social media – once seen as a mechanism to promote knowledge and understanding and solidarity – has proved to be just as effective promoting hatred and paranoia and propaganda and conspiracy theories.

So on Madiba’s 100th birthday, we now stand at a crossroads – a moment in time at which two very different visions of humanity’s future compete for the hearts and the minds of citizens around the world. Two different stories, two different narratives about who we are and who we should be. How should we respond?

Should we see that wave of hope that we felt with Madiba’s release from prison, from the Berlin Wall coming down – should we see that hope that we had as naïve and misguided? Should we understand the last 25 years of global integration as nothing more than a detour from the previous inevitable cycle of history – where might makes right, and politics is a hostile competition between tribes and races and religions, and nations compete in a zero-sum game, constantly teetering on the edge of conflict until full-blown war breaks out? Is that what we think?

Let me tell you what I believe. I believe in Nelson Mandela’s vision. I believe in a vision shared by Gandhi and King and Abraham Lincoln. I believe in a vision of equality and justice and freedom and multi-racial democracy, built on the premise that all people are created equal, and they’re endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. And I believe that a world governed by such principles is possible and that it can achieve more peace and more cooperation in pursuit of a common good. That’s what I believe.

And I believe we have no choice but to move forward; that those of us who believe in democracy and civil rights and a common humanity have a better story to tell. And I believe this not just based on sentiment, I believe it based on hard evidence.

The fact that the world’s most prosperous and successful societies, the ones with the highest living standards and the highest levels of satisfaction among their people, happen to be those which have most closely approximated the liberal, progressive ideal that we talk about and have nurtured the talents and contributions of all their citizens.

The fact that authoritarian governments have been shown time and time again to breed corruption, because they’re not accountable; to repress their people; to lose touch eventually with reality; to engage in bigger and bigger lies that ultimately result in economic and political and cultural and scientific stagnation. Look at history. Look at the facts.

The fact that countries which rely on rabid nationalism and xenophobia and doctrines of tribal, racial or religious superiority as their main organizing principle, the thing that holds people together – eventually those countries find themselves consumed by civil war or external war. Check the history books.

The fact that technology cannot be put back in a bottle, so we’re stuck with the fact that we now live close together and populations are going to be moving, and environmental challenges are not going to go away on their own, so that the only way to effectively address problems like climate change or mass migration or pandemic disease will be to develop systems for more international cooperation, not less.

We have a better story to tell. But to say that our vision for the future is better is not to say that it will inevitably win. Because history also shows the power of fear. History shows the lasting hold of greed and the desire to dominate others in the minds of men. Especially men. History shows how easily people can be convinced to turn on those who look different, or worship God in a different way. So if we’re truly to continue Madiba’s long walk towards freedom, we’re going to have to work harder and we’re going to have to be smarter. We’re going to have to learn from the mistakes of the recent past. And so in the brief time remaining, let me just suggest a few guideposts for the road ahead, guideposts that draw from Madiba’s work, his words, the lessons of his life.

First, Madiba shows those of us who believe in freedom and democracy we are going to have to fight harder to reduce inequality and promote lasting economic opportunity for all people.

Now, I don’t believe in economic determinism. Human beings don’t live on bread alone. But they need bread. And history shows that societies which tolerate vast differences in wealth feed resentments and reduce solidarity and actually grow more slowly; and that once people achieve more than mere subsistence, then they’re measuring their well-being by how they compare to their neighbors, and whether their children can expect to live a better life. And when economic power is concentrated in the hands of the few, history also shows that political power is sure to follow – and that dynamic eats away at democracy. Sometimes it may be straight-out corruption, but sometimes it may not involve the exchange of money; it’s just folks who are that wealthy get what they want, and it undermines human freedom.

And Madiba understood this. This is not new. He warned us about this. He said: “Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and the powerful now have new means to further enrich and empower themselves at the cost of the poorer and the weaker, [then] we have a responsibility to protest in the name of universal freedom.” That’s what he said. So if we are serious about universal freedom today, if we care about social justice today, then we have a responsibility to do something about it. And I would respectfully amend what Madiba said. I don’t do it often, but I’d say it’s not enough for us to protest; we’re going to have to build, we’re going to have to innovate, we’re going to have to figure out how do we close this widening chasm of wealth and opportunity both within countries and between them.

And how we achieve this is going to vary country to country, and I know your new president is committed to rolling up his sleeves and trying to do so. But we can learn from the last 70 years that it will not involve unregulated, unbridled, unethical capitalism. It also won’t involve old-style command-and-control socialism form the top. That was tried; it didn’t work very well. For almost all countries, progress is going to depend on an inclusive market-based system – one that offers education for every child; that protects collective bargaining and secures the rights of every worker – that breaks up monopolies to encourage competition in small and medium-sized businesses; and has laws that root out corruption and ensures fair dealing in business; that maintains some form of progressive taxation so that rich people are still rich but they’re giving a little bit back to make sure that everybody else has something to pay for universal health care and retirement security, and invests in infrastructure and scientific research that builds platforms for innovation.

I should add, by the way, right now I’m actually surprised by how much money I got, and let me tell you something: I don’t have half as much as most of these folks or a tenth or a hundredth. There’s only so much you can eat. There’s only so big a house you can have. There’s only so many nice trips you can take. I mean, it’s enough. You don’t have to take a vow of poverty just to say, “Well, let me help out and let a few of the other folks – let me look at that child out there who doesn’t have enough to eat or needs some school fees, let me help him out. I’ll pay a little more in taxes. It’s okay. I can afford it.” I mean, it shows a poverty of ambition to just want to take more and more and more, instead of saying, “Wow, I’ve got so much. Who can I help? How can I give more and more and more?” That’s ambition. That’s impact. That’s influence. What an amazing gift to be able to help people, not just yourself. Where was I? I ad-libbed. You get the point.

It involves promoting an inclusive capitalism both within nations and between nations. And as we pursue, for example, the Sustainable Development Goals, we have to get past the charity mindset. We’ve got to bring more resources to the forgotten pockets of the world through investment and entrepreneurship, because there is talent everywhere in the world if given an opportunity.

When it comes to the international system of commerce and trade, it’s legitimate for poorer countries to continue to seek access to wealthier markets. And by the way, wealthier markets, that’s not the big problem that you’re having – that a small African country is sending you tea and flowers. That’s not your biggest economic challenge. It’s also proper for advanced economies like the United States to insist on reciprocity from nations like China that are no longer solely poor countries, to make sure that they’re providing access to their markets and that they stop taking intellectual property and hacking our servers.

But even as there are discussions to be had around trade and commerce, it’s important to recognize this reality: while the outsourcing of jobs from north to south, from east to west, while a lot of that was a dominant trend in the late 20th century, the biggest challenge to workers in countries like mine today is technology. And the biggest challenge for your new president when we think about how we’re going to employ more people here is going to be also technology, because artificial intelligence is here and it is accelerating, and you’re going to have driverless cars, and you’re going to have more and more automated services, and that’s going to make the job of giving everybody work that is meaningful tougher, and we’re going to have to be more imaginative, and the pact of change is going to require us to do more fundamental reimagining of our social and political arrangements, to protect the economic security and the dignity that comes with a job. It’s not just money that a job provides; it provides dignity and structure and a sense of place and a sense of purpose. And so we’re going to have to consider new ways of thinking about these problems, like a universal income, review of our workweek, how we retrain our young people, how we make everybody an entrepreneur at some level. But we’re going to have to worry about economics if we want to get democracy back on track.

Second, Madiba teaches us that some principles really are universal – and the most important one is the principle that we are bound together by a common humanity and that each individual has inherent dignity and worth.

Now, it’s surprising that we have to affirm this truth today. More than a quarter century after Madiba walked out of prison, I still have to stand here at a lecture and devote some time to saying that black people and white people and Asian people and Latin American people and women and men and gays and straights, that we are all human, that our differences are superficial, and that we should treat each other with care and respect. I would have thought we would have figured that out by now. I thought that basic notion was well established. But it turns out, as we’re seeing in this recent drift into reactionary politics, that the struggle for basic justice is never truly finished. So we’ve got to constantly be on the lookout and fight for people who seek to elevate themselves by putting somebody else down. And by the way, we also have to actively resist – this is important, particularly in some countries in Africa like my own father’s homeland; I’ve made this point before – we have to resist the notion that basic human rights like freedom to dissent, or the right of women to fully participate in the society, or the right of minorities to equal treatment, or the rights of people not to be beat up and jailed because of their sexual orientation – we have to be careful not to say that somehow, well, that doesn’t apply to us, that those are Western ideas rather than universal imperatives.

Again, Madiba, he anticipated things. He knew what he was talking about. In 1964, before he received the sentence that condemned him to die in prison, he explained from the dock that, “The Magna Carta, the Petition of Rights, the Bill of Rights are documents which are held in veneration by democrats throughout the world.” In other words, he didn’t say well, those books weren’t written by South Africans so I just – I can’t claim them. No, he said that’s part of my inheritance. That’s part of the human inheritance. That applies here in this country, to me, and to you. And that’s part of what gave him the moral authority that the apartheid regime could never claim, because he was more familiar with their best values than they were. He had read their documents more carefully than they had. And he went on to say, “Political division based on color is entirely artificial and, when it disappears, so will the domination of one color group by another.” That’s Nelson Mandela speaking in 1964, when I was three years old.

What was true then remains true today. Basic truths do not change. It is a truth that can be embraced by the English, and by the Indian, and by the Mexican and by the Bantu and by the Luo and by the American. It is a truth that lies at the heart of every world religion – that we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us. That we see ourselves in other people. That we can recognize common hopes and common dreams. And it is a truth that is incompatible with any form of discrimination based on race or religion or gender or sexual orientation. And it is a truth that, by the way, when embraced, actually delivers practical benefits, since it ensures that a society can draw upon the talents and energy and skill of all its people. And if you doubt that, just ask the French football team that just won the World Cup. Because not all of those folks – not all of those folks look like Gauls to me. But they’re French. They’re French.

Embracing our common humanity does not mean that we have to abandon our unique ethnic and national and religious identities. Madiba never stopped being proud of his tribal heritage. He didn’t stop being proud of being a black man and being a South African. But he believed, as I believe, that you can be proud of your heritage without denigrating those of a different heritage. In fact, you dishonor your heritage. It would make me think that you’re a little insecure about your heritage if you’ve got to put somebody else’s heritage down. Yeah, that’s right. Don’t you get a sense sometimes – again, I’m ad-libbing here – that these people who are so intent on putting people down and puffing themselves up that they’re small-hearted, that there’s something they’re just afraid of. Madiba knew that we cannot claim justice for ourselves when it’s only reserved for some. Madiba understood that we can’t say we’ve got a just society simply because we replaced the color of the person on top of an unjust system, so the person looks like us even though they’re doing the same stuff, and somehow now we’ve got justice. That doesn’t work. It’s not justice if now you’re on top, so I’m going to do the same thing that those folks were doing to me and now I’m going to do it to you. That’s not justice. “I detest racialism,” he said, “whether it comes from a black man or a white man.”

Now, we have to acknowledge that there is disorientation that comes from rapid change and modernization, and the fact that the world has shrunk, and we’re going to have to find ways to lessen the fears of those who feel threatened. In the West’s current debate around immigration, for example, it’s not wrong to insist that national borders matter; whether you’re a citizen or not is going to matter to a government, that laws need to be followed; that in the public realm newcomers should make an effort to adapt to the language and customs of their new home. Those are legitimate things and we have to be able to engage people who do feel as if things are not orderly. But that can’t be an excuse for immigration policies based on race, or ethnicity, or religion. There’s got to be some consistency. And we can enforce the law while respecting the essential humanity of those who are striving for a better life. For a mother with a child in her arms, we can recognize that could be somebody in our family, that could be my child.

Third, Madiba reminds us that democracy is about more than just elections.

When he was freed from prison, Madiba’s popularity – well, you couldn’t even measure it. He could have been president for life. Am I wrong? Who was going to run against him? (Laughter.) I mean, Ramaphosa was popular, but come on. Plus he was a young – he was too young. Had he chose, Madiba could have governed by executive fiat, unconstrained by check and balances. But instead he helped guide South Africa through the drafting of a new Constitution, drawing from all the institutional practices and democratic ideals that had proven to be most sturdy, mindful of the fact that no single individual possesses a monopoly on wisdom. No individual – not Mandela, not Obama – are entirely immune to the corrupting influences of absolute power, if you can do whatever you want and everyone’s too afraid to tell you when you’re making a mistake. No one is immune from the dangers of that.

Mandela understood this. He said, “Democracy is based on the majority principle. This is especially true in a country such as ours where the vast majority have been systematically denied their rights. At the same time, democracy also requires the rights of political and other minorities be safeguarded.” He understood it’s not just about who has the most votes. It’s also about the civic culture that we build that makes democracy work.

So we have to stop pretending that countries that just hold an election where sometimes the winner somehow magically gets 90 percent of the vote because all the opposition is locked up – or can’t get on TV, is a democracy. Democracy depends on strong institutions and it’s about minority rights and checks and balances, and freedom of speech and freedom of expression and a free press, and the right to protest and petition the government, and an independent judiciary, and everybody having to follow the law.

And yes, democracy can be messy, and it can be slow, and it can be frustrating. I know, I promise. But the efficiency that’s offered by an autocrat, that’s a false promise. Don’t take that one, because it leads invariably to more consolidation of wealth at the top and power at the top, and it makes it easier to conceal corruption and abuse. For all its imperfections, real democracy best upholds the idea that government exists to serve the individual and not the other way around. And it is the only form of government that has the possibility of making that idea real.

So for those of us who are interested in strengthening democracy, let’s also stop – it’s time for us to stop paying all of our attention to the world’s capitals and the centers of power and to start focusing more on the grassroots, because that’s where democratic legitimacy comes from. Not from the top down, not from abstract theories, not just from experts, but from the bottom up. Knowing the lives of those who are struggling.

As a community organizer, I learned as much from a laid-off steel worker in Chicago or a single mom in a poor neighborhood that I visited as I learned from the finest economists in the Oval Office. Democracy means being in touch and in tune with life as it’s lived in our communities, and that’s what we should expect from our leaders, and it depends upon cultivating leaders at the grassroots who can help bring about change and implement it on the ground and can tell leaders in fancy buildings, this isn’t working down here.

And to make democracy work, Madiba shows us that we also have to keep teaching our children, and ourselves – and this is really hard – to engage with people not only who look different but who hold different views. This is hard.

Most of us prefer to surround ourselves with opinions that validate what we already believe. You notice the people who you think are smart are the people who agree with you. Funny how that works. But democracy demands that we’re able also to get inside the reality of people who are different than us so we can understand their point of view. Maybe we can change their minds, but maybe they’ll change ours. And you can’t do this if you just out of hand disregard what your opponents have to say from the start. And you can’t do it if you insist that those who aren’t like you – because they’re white, or because they’re male – that somehow there’s no way they can understand what I’m feeling, that somehow they lack standing to speak on certain matters.

Madiba, he lived this complexity. In prison, he studied Afrikaans so that he could better understand the people who were jailing him. And when he got out of prison, he extended a hand to those who had jailed him, because he knew that they had to be a part of the democratic South Africa that he wanted to build. “To make peace with an enemy,” he wrote, “one must work with that enemy, and that enemy becomes one’s partner.”

So those who traffic in absolutes when it comes to policy, whether it’s on the left or the right, they make democracy unworkable. You can’t expect to get 100 percent of what you want all the time; sometimes, you have to compromise. That doesn’t mean abandoning your principles, but instead it means holding on to those principles and then having the confidence that they’re going to stand up to a serious democratic debate. That’s how America’s Founders intended our system to work – that through the testing of ideas and the application of reason and proof it would be possible to arrive at a basis for common ground.

And I should add for this to work, we have to actually believe in an objective reality. This is another one of these things that I didn’t have to lecture about. You have to believe in facts. Without facts, there is no basis for cooperation. If I say this is a podium and you say this is an elephant, it’s going to be hard for us to cooperate. I can find common ground for those who oppose the Paris Accords because, for example, they might say, well, it’s not going to work, you can’t get everybody to cooperate, or they might say it’s more important for us to provide cheap energy for the poor, even if it means in the short term that there’s more pollution. At least I can have a debate with them about that and I can show them why I think clean energy is the better path, especially for poor countries, that you can leapfrog old technologies. I can’t find common ground if somebody says climate change is just not happening, when almost all of the world’s scientists tell us it is. I don’t know where to start talking to you about this. If you start saying it’s an elaborate hoax, I don’t know what to – where do we start?

Unfortunately, too much of politics today seems to reject the very concept of objective truth. People just make stuff up. They just make stuff up. We see it in state-sponsored propaganda; we see it in internet driven fabrications, we see it in the blurring of lines between news and entertainment, we see the utter loss of shame among political leaders where they’re caught in a lie and they just double down and they lie some more. Politicians have always lied, but it used to be if you caught them lying they’d be like, “Oh man.” Now they just keep on lying.

By the way, this is what I think Mama Graça was talking about in terms of maybe some sense of humility that Madiba felt, like sometimes just basic stuff, me not completely lying to people seems pretty basic, I don’t think of myself as a great leader just because I don’t completely make stuff up. You’d think that was a base line. Anyway, we see it in the promotion of anti-intellectualism and the rejection of science from leaders who find critical thinking and data somehow politically inconvenient. And, as with the denial of rights, the denial of facts runs counter to democracy, it could be its undoing, which is why we must zealously protect independent media; and we have to guard against the tendency for social media to become purely a platform for spectacle, outrage, or disinformation; and we have to insist that our schools teach critical thinking to our young people, not just blind obedience.

Which, I’m sure you are thankful for, leads to my final point: we have to follow Madiba’s example of persistence and of hope.

It is tempting to give in to cynicism: to believe that recent shifts in global politics are too powerful to push back; that the pendulum has swung permanently. Just as people spoke about the triumph of democracy in the 90s, now you are hearing people talk about end of democracy and the triumph of tribalism and the strong man. We have to resist that cynicism.

Because, we’ve been through darker times, we’ve been in lower valleys and deeper valleys. Yes, by the end of his life, Madiba embodied the successful struggle for human rights, but the journey was not easy, it wasn’t pre-ordained. The man went to prison for almost three decades. He split limestone in the heat, he slept in a small cell, and was repeatedly put in solitary confinement. And I remember talking to some of his former colleagues saying how they hadn’t realized when they were released, just the sight of a child, the idea of holding a child, they had missed – it wasn’t something available to them, for decades.

And yet his power actually grew during those years – and the power of his jailers diminished, because he knew that if you stick to what’s true, if you know what’s in your heart, and you’re willing to sacrifice for it, even in the face of overwhelming odds, that it might not happen tomorrow, it might not happen in the next week, it might not even happen in your lifetime. Things may go backwards for a while, but ultimately, right makes might, not the other way around, ultimately, the better story can win out and as strong as Madiba’s spirit may have been, he would not have sustained that hope had he been alone in the struggle, part of buoyed him up was that he knew that each year, the ranks of freedom fighters were replenishing, young men and women, here in South African, in the ANC and beyond; black and Indian and white, from across the countryside, across the continent, around the world, who in those most difficult days would keep working on behalf of his vision.

And that’s what we need right now, we don’t just need one leader, we don’t just need one inspiration, what we badly need right now is that collective spirit. And, I know that those young people, those hope carriers are gathering around the world. Because history shows that whenever progress is threatened, and the things we care about most are in question, we should heed the words of Robert Kennedy – spoken here in South Africa, he said, “Our answer is the world’s hope: it is to rely on youth. It’s to rely on the spirit of the young.”

So, young people, who are in the audience, who are listening, my message to you is simple, keep believing, keep marching, keep building, keep raising your voice. Every generation has the opportunity to remake the world. Mandela said, “Young people are capable, when aroused, of bringing down the towers of oppression and raising the banners of freedom.” Now is a good time to be aroused. Now is a good time to be fired up.

And, for those of us who care about the legacy that we honor here today – about equality and dignity and democracy and solidarity and kindness, those of us who remain young at heart, if not in body – we have an obligation to help our youth succeed. Some of you know, here in South Africa, my Foundation is convening over the last few days, two hundred young people from across this continent who are doing the hard work of making change in their communities; who reflect Madiba’s values, who are poised to lead the way.

People like Abaas Mpindi, a journalist from Uganda, who founded the Media Challenge Initiative, to help other young people get the training they need to tell the stories that the world needs to know.

People like Caren Wakoli, an entrepreneur from Kenya, who founded the Emerging Leaders Foundation to get young people involved in the work of fighting poverty and promoting human dignity.

People like Enock Nkulanga, who directs the African Children’s mission, which helps children in Uganda and Kenya get the education that they need and then in his spare time, Enock advocates for the rights of children around the globe, and founded an organization called LeadMinds Africa, which does exactly what it says.

You meet these people, you talk to them, they will give you hope. They are taking the baton, they know they can’t just rest on the accomplishments of the past, even the accomplishments of those as momentous as Nelson Mandela’s. They stand on the shoulders of those who came before, including that young black boy born 100 years ago, but they know that it is now their turn to do the work.

Madiba reminds us that: “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart.” Love comes more naturally to the human heart, let’s remember that truth. Let’s see it as our North Star, let’s be joyful in our struggle to make that truth manifest here on earth so that in 100 years from now, future generations will look back and say, ‘they kept the march going, that’s why we live under new banners of freedom.’ Thank you very much, South Africa, thank you."
-snip-
Here's some information about the name "Madiba" which President Obama used throughout this speech:
[Madiba is] "a title of respect for Nelson Mandela, deriving from his Xhosa clan name. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/madiba.

Click https://answersafrica.com/nelson-mandela-called-madiba.html for a more in depth article about the name "Madiba". "Why Nelson Mandela Was Called Madiba" by Emeka Chigozie

Here's a brief excerpt of that article:
..."Madiba is the name of the clan from which Nelson Mandela came to be. In South African belief, the name of the clan is much more relevant and important than a person's surname. The reason is because a clan's name makes significant reference to the ancestor from which the individual came into existence. In South African history, Madiba was the name of a prominent Thembu chief who was popular in the 18th century as a ruler of the Transkei [.] [H]ence it is generally considered very polite and respectful to use someone's clan name."...

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