In his moving and thought-provoking speech at the recently held Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Lecture at the Women’s Christian College in Chennai, superstar Kamal Haasan talked about the power of harmony and non-violence, saying that tolerance is as important, as war is outdated. Here are a few excerpts from the actor’s powerful speech:
“The human mind is still an evolutionary work in progress”
We have on many occasions callously, carelessly killed reformers with collective consent like the Romans who practiced genocide in the name of sports for centuries in their circus Maximus. We then with the same collective consent chose to say sorry for the bloody deeds when all the perpetrators of those crimes lived and died peaceful deaths. If we did not kill reformers or voices of reason then we at least tried to ostracize them. If they lived long enough to hear the Church or the government say sorry that was fine or else we said it posthumously sometimes 300, 400 years later. That is the average time the church takes to say sorry. Governments are a tad faster with their apologies. With no thanks for those belated gestures. I go back to those scientists who believe that human mind is still an evolutionary work in progress. I have to grudgingly concur with their logicKamal Haasan
“Instead of fighting for God’s sake, please unite for the sake of humans”
While most reformers say all men are equal, inequality is created by incomplete minds that somehow manage to reach the seat of power while the enlightened minds are always with the poor and the minority called the wise. America has an African American president. Is that not a dream? A dream a mind dared to dream in the sixties. A black governor of America standing amidst the dignitaries, shedding tears when Mr. Obama sworn in as the president of America. I had tears of empathy too. Having broken the shackles of a different kind of slavery in the recent history, I could empathise.Kamal Haasan
The same country which does me proud does not yet believe that war is out dated. In the name of Mr. Mohandas K Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Mandela, I choose this moment to remind the few cognisant minds here that war is a very old fashioned way to settle any difference.Kamal Haasan
We have to dare to dream more dreams to achieve. Where brothers and sisters of all faith unite. Instead of fighting for God’s sake, please unite for the sake of humans.Kamal Haasan
“How simple it is to see that the world has to live in harmony, in cooperation”
How simple it is to see that the world has to live in harmony, in cooperation. Then why don’t those who wield the office or the gun seem to understand? I know Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. are great men, but it is time we produced more men and women like them. I am poised over a fertile field to sow the seed for such will to surface in people like you. You can become that if you set your mind to it. It is not impossible. It is possible to those who have the tenacity of purpose. It is possible when you attain the valor. Fearlessness strangely accompanies love and Ahimsa. Well I have dared to say the word Ahimsa. It is a complicated process when it comes to practice. Do not confuse it to be tolerance. Tolerance is a compromised middle ground. A status co anti. Acceptance is closer to non violence which in truth is Ahimsa.Kamal Haasan
In memory of Martin Luther King Jr., I can say so many good words but using his life as philosophy, as fulcrum we should lift the weight and greed, pressing and oppressing the ascent of our race. I use this opportunity to remind you that all the great men who lived and died for us believed that the coming generation will better them. What have you done about that? I promise you what you admire most, you can find within yourself. Maybe in some it might be hidden under layers of prejudice. Cast it aside and surprise yourself with what you discover.Kamal Haasan
“The world can only function as a family, or not at all”
While we celebrate and try to emulate those who have changed the way world thinks, we must understand as they clearly understood that this world could only function as a family or not at all.Kamal Haasan
Haasan concluded this heartfelt speech with a non-stop applause from audience.
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Topics: Kamal Haasan Mahatma Gandhi Non Violence
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