Amistad
prev.
play.
mark.
next.

:35:05
Well, gentlemen, I differ with
the keen minds of the South,

:35:09
and with our president,
who apparently shares their views,

:35:12
offering that the natural state
of mankind is instead -

:35:16
and I know this is
a controversial idea -

:35:18
is freedom.
:35:23
Is freedom.
:35:26
The proof is the length to which
a man, woman or child will go

:35:29
to regain it, once taken.
:35:31
He will break loose his chains.
:35:35
He will...decimate his enemies.
:35:38
He will try and try and try,
:35:41
against all odds,
against all prejudices,

:35:45
to get home.
:35:51
Cinque, would you stand up,
if you would,

:35:56
so everyone can see you:
:36:01
This man is black.
We can all see that.

:36:05
But can we also see as easily
that which is equally true?

:36:10
That he is the only
true hero in this room.

:36:14
If he were white,
he wouldn't be in this court,

:36:17
fighting for his life.
:36:19
If he were white
and his enslavers British,

:36:22
he'd be weighed down by the medals
and honours we would bestow upon him.

:36:27
Songs would be written about him.
:36:31
The great authors of our times
would fill books about him.

:36:34
His story would be told
:36:36
and retold, in our classrooms.
:36:41
Our children, because we would
make sure of it,

:36:46
would know his name as well as
they know Patrick Henry's.

:36:51
Yet, if the South is right,
:36:54
what are we to do with that
embarrassing, annoying document,

:36:58
"The Declaration of Independence"?

prev.
next.