I signed up to do this talk about six months ago full of optimism positive and
months ago full of optimism positive and
months ago full of optimism positive and I was going to give you a message of
I was going to give you a message of
I was going to give you a message of hope and and then brexit happened I live
hope and and then brexit happened I live
hope and and then brexit happened I live in London and I went into a period of
in London and I went into a period of
in London and I went into a period of depression like many people and was
depression like many people and was
depression like many people and was rethinking my my attitude of my views
rethinking my my attitude of my views
rethinking my my attitude of my views but I got over it at my classic optimism
but I got over it at my classic optimism
but I got over it at my classic optimism returned and I was looking forward for
returned and I was looking forward for
returned and I was looking forward for the last couple of weeks to celebrating
the last couple of weeks to celebrating
the last couple of weeks to celebrating the election of the first woman
the election of the first woman
the election of the first woman president of the United States you know
president of the United States you know
president of the United States you know she did get the most votes I hope you
she did get the most votes I hope you
she did get the most votes I hope you realize that if it’s any consolation and
realize that if it’s any consolation and
realize that if it’s any consolation and she probably would have got more had it
she probably would have got more had it
she probably would have got more had it not been for a number of measures that
not been for a number of measures that
not been for a number of measures that were taken in some parts of the United
were taken in some parts of the United
were taken in some parts of the United States to prevent black people and other
States to prevent black people and other
States to prevent black people and other minorities from voting but I feel here
minorities from voting but I feel here
minorities from voting but I feel here today a little bit like someone trying
today a little bit like someone trying
today a little bit like someone trying to tell you the story and sell you on
to tell you the story and sell you on
to tell you the story and sell you on the idea of global warming in the middle
the idea of global warming in the middle
the idea of global warming in the middle of a winter storm we are in a difficult
of a winter storm we are in a difficult
of a winter storm we are in a difficult period for human rights what the brexit
period for human rights what the brexit
period for human rights what the brexit and the recent US election and other
and the recent US election and other
and the recent US election and other events elsewhere in the world have done
events elsewhere in the world have done
events elsewhere in the world have done is fanned the embers the smoldering
is fanned the embers the smoldering
is fanned the embers the smoldering embers of racism and xenophobia and they
embers of racism and xenophobia and they
embers of racism and xenophobia and they are making life very hard particularly
are making life very hard particularly
are making life very hard particularly for minorities here in North America and
for minorities here in North America and
for minorities here in North America and elsewhere in the world but my message is
elsewhere in the world but my message is
elsewhere in the world but my message is ultimately one of optimism because it
ultimately one of optimism because it
ultimately one of optimism because it involves taking the long view I’m
involves taking the long view I’m
involves taking the long view I’m looking back 50 years and I’m looking
looking back 50 years and I’m looking
looking back 50 years and I’m looking forward 50 years 50 years ago the major
forward 50 years 50 years ago the major
forward 50 years 50 years ago the major Human Rights treaties the two most
Human Rights treaties the two most
Human Rights treaties the two most important treaties in the United Nations
important treaties in the United Nations
important treaties in the United Nations were adopted we call them the covenants
were adopted we call them the covenants
were adopted we call them the covenants they’re related to the Universal
they’re related to the Universal
they’re related to the Universal Declaration
Declaration
Declaration Human Rights which is a little older and
Human Rights which is a little older and
Human Rights which is a little older and that began a very very robust complex
that began a very very robust complex
that began a very very robust complex elaborate system that continues to grow
elaborate system that continues to grow
elaborate system that continues to grow that protects our human rights through
that protects our human rights through
that protects our human rights through the United Nations and through regional
the United Nations and through regional
the United Nations and through regional organizations and and of course here in
organizations and and of course here in
organizations and and of course here in Europe we are very fortunate to have
Europe we are very fortunate to have
Europe we are very fortunate to have what is perhaps the jewel of the mall
what is perhaps the jewel of the mall
what is perhaps the jewel of the mall which is the European Court of Human
which is the European Court of Human
which is the European Court of Human Rights only a few months ago the
Rights only a few months ago the
Rights only a few months ago the European Court of Human Rights issued an
European Court of Human Rights issued an
European Court of Human Rights issued an important judgment against Switzerland
important judgment against Switzerland
important judgment against Switzerland although it wasn’t really directed
although it wasn’t really directed
although it wasn’t really directed against Switzerland it was directed
against Switzerland it was directed
against Switzerland it was directed against the United Nations Security
against the United Nations Security
against the United Nations Security Council for the first time and it said
Council for the first time and it said
Council for the first time and it said that the United Nations Security Council
that the United Nations Security Council
that the United Nations Security Council through its resolutions which had to be
through its resolutions which had to be
through its resolutions which had to be enforced in Switzerland was violating
enforced in Switzerland was violating
enforced in Switzerland was violating fundamental rights of due process and of
fundamental rights of due process and of
fundamental rights of due process and of equality before the law I don’t want to
equality before the law I don’t want to
equality before the law I don’t want to talk about the institutions and the
talk about the institutions and the
talk about the institutions and the structures and the documents I want to
structures and the documents I want to
structures and the documents I want to talk about the ideas behind human rights
talk about the ideas behind human rights
talk about the ideas behind human rights and how they have evolved until today is
and how they have evolved until today is
and how they have evolved until today is to enable me in a way to project the
to enable me in a way to project the
to enable me in a way to project the future to look forward so I want to go
future to look forward so I want to go
future to look forward so I want to go back 50 years and look at some of the
back 50 years and look at some of the
back 50 years and look at some of the issues that have I think surprised us in
issues that have I think surprised us in
issues that have I think surprised us in terms of how they emerge one of them
terms of how they emerge one of them
terms of how they emerge one of them that I’ve worked on a great deal is the
that I’ve worked on a great deal is the
that I’ve worked on a great deal is the abolition of capital punishment now 50
abolition of capital punishment now 50
abolition of capital punishment now 50 years ago most countries in the world
years ago most countries in the world
years ago most countries in the world had the death penalty and used most of
had the death penalty and used most of
had the death penalty and used most of them about 90 percent of states in the
them about 90 percent of states in the
them about 90 percent of states in the world used it when the United Nations
world used it when the United Nations
world used it when the United Nations secretary-general was asked is there a
secretary-general was asked is there a
secretary-general was asked is there a trend towards abolition the
trend towards abolition the
trend towards abolition the secretary-general said I can’t tell one
secretary-general said I can’t tell one
secretary-general said I can’t tell one way or another there doesn’t appear to
way or another there doesn’t appear to
way or another there doesn’t appear to be a trend but trend there is and every
be a trend but trend there is and every
be a trend but trend there is and every year for the last 30 years or so two to
year for the last 30 years or so two to
year for the last 30 years or so two to three countries abolished the death
three countries abolished the death
three countries abolished the death penalty and we’re now at a situation
penalty and we’re now at a situation
penalty and we’re now at a situation where about 160 countries have abolished
where about 160 countries have abolished
where about 160 countries have abolished the death penalty have stopped using it
the death penalty have stopped using it
the death penalty have stopped using it have changed their laws some most of
have changed their laws some most of
have changed their laws some most of them have actually adopted international
them have actually adopted international
them have actually adopted international treaties to prevent the restoration of
treaties to prevent the restoration of
treaties to prevent the restoration of the death penalty and there are fewer
the death penalty and there are fewer
the death penalty and there are fewer than 40 states that still use it and in
than 40 states that still use it and in
than 40 states that still use it and in those 40 states actually fewer than that
those 40 states actually fewer than that
those 40 states actually fewer than that more like 37 the numbers are declining
more like 37 the numbers are declining
more like 37 the numbers are declining there’s less and less death penalty
there’s less and less death penalty
there’s less and less death penalty being used
being used
being used in most of them even in the United
in most of them even in the United
in most of them even in the United States where the death penalty was
States where the death penalty was
States where the death penalty was once-thriving it has been in quite
once-thriving it has been in quite
once-thriving it has been in quite dramatic decline for the last decade or
dramatic decline for the last decade or
dramatic decline for the last decade or so and the numbers continue to drop and
so and the numbers continue to drop and
so and the numbers continue to drop and that’s largely because juries ordinary
that’s largely because juries ordinary
that’s largely because juries ordinary people the same people who voted earlier
people the same people who voted earlier
people the same people who voted earlier this week are the ones involved in
this week are the ones involved in
this week are the ones involved in taking the decisions and I’m not talking
taking the decisions and I’m not talking
taking the decisions and I’m not talking about the voters in the blue states in
about the voters in the blue states in
about the voters in the blue states in New York and Massachusetts and Vermont
New York and Massachusetts and Vermont
New York and Massachusetts and Vermont because they don’t have the death
because they don’t have the death
because they don’t have the death penalty there we’re talking about the
penalty there we’re talking about the
penalty there we’re talking about the voters in the south and they are
voters in the south and they are
voters in the south and they are increasingly reluctant to sentence
increasingly reluctant to sentence
increasingly reluctant to sentence people to death when I look into the
people to death when I look into the
people to death when I look into the future 50 years from now I’m convinced
future 50 years from now I’m convinced
future 50 years from now I’m convinced it will be gone
it will be gone
it will be gone we’re just those states are ticking
we’re just those states are ticking
we’re just those states are ticking themselves knocking themselves off the
themselves knocking themselves off the
themselves knocking themselves off the list
list
list every year will it take ten years or 20
every year will it take ten years or 20
every year will it take ten years or 20 years or 30 years I’m not sure but 50
years or 30 years I’m not sure but 50
years or 30 years I’m not sure but 50 years from now it’s over and that could
years from now it’s over and that could
years from now it’s over and that could not have been foreseen or anticipated I
not have been foreseen or anticipated I
not have been foreseen or anticipated I think in 1966 I think if someone said
think in 1966 I think if someone said
think in 1966 I think if someone said that in 1966 people would have said you
that in 1966 people would have said you
that in 1966 people would have said you know what were you smoking this morning
know what were you smoking this morning
know what were you smoking this morning let me turn to another area of rights
let me turn to another area of rights
let me turn to another area of rights that I want to examine and develop and
that I want to examine and develop and
that I want to examine and develop and that’s equality rights actually the
that’s equality rights actually the
that’s equality rights actually the Equality rights go back much further
Equality rights go back much further
Equality rights go back much further they go back to the what’s really the
they go back to the what’s really the
they go back to the what’s really the beginnings of modern human rights which
beginnings of modern human rights which
beginnings of modern human rights which is the revolutionary developments of the
is the revolutionary developments of the
is the revolutionary developments of the 18th century the American Revolution
18th century the American Revolution
18th century the American Revolution French Revolution and similar events
French Revolution and similar events
French Revolution and similar events those are the two big ones and in the
those are the two big ones and in the
those are the two big ones and in the Declaration of Independence which starts
Declaration of Independence which starts
Declaration of Independence which starts the American Revolution they say all men
the American Revolution they say all men
the American Revolution they say all men are created equal and we have something
are created equal and we have something
are created equal and we have something similar it’s like the first article of
similar it’s like the first article of
similar it’s like the first article of the Universal Declaration of Human
the Universal Declaration of Human
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is actually based on it says that
Rights is actually based on it says that
Rights is actually based on it says that all men are born free and equal in
all men are born free and equal in
all men are born free and equal in freedom and in rights that’s the French
freedom and in rights that’s the French
freedom and in rights that’s the French Declaration the only difference between
Declaration the only difference between
Declaration the only difference between that and the Universal Declaration of
that and the Universal Declaration of
that and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is we now say all human
Human Rights is we now say all human
Human Rights is we now say all human beings because the women who were
beings because the women who were
beings because the women who were involved in drafting the Universal
involved in drafting the Universal
involved in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights said you’re
Declaration of Human Rights said you’re
Declaration of Human Rights said you’re not going to say all men are born free
not going to say all men are born free
not going to say all men are born free and equal but those who drafted these
and equal but those who drafted these
and equal but those who drafted these ideas who conceived of them back in the
ideas who conceived of them back in the
ideas who conceived of them back in the 18th century
18th century
18th century have blind spots they understood the
have blind spots they understood the
have blind spots they understood the notion of equality and they promoted it
notion of equality and they promoted it
notion of equality and they promoted it some of them were slave owners and there
some of them were slave owners and there
some of them were slave owners and there was certainly no place for women in
was certainly no place for women in
was certainly no place for women in their vision of a free and equal society
their vision of a free and equal society
their vision of a free and equal society they’d understood the principle but they
they’d understood the principle but they
they’d understood the principle but they hadn’t followed through the logic of it
hadn’t followed through the logic of it
hadn’t followed through the logic of it and that’s something that we see and
and that’s something that we see and
and that’s something that we see and that I believe will continue to see if I
that I believe will continue to see if I
that I believe will continue to see if I go back 50 years now to 1966
go back 50 years now to 1966
go back 50 years now to 1966 we still had formally officially racist
we still had formally officially racist
we still had formally officially racist states in in the world
states in in the world
states in in the world South Africa being the most important
South Africa being the most important
South Africa being the most important one and 1966 there was no end in sight
one and 1966 there was no end in sight
one and 1966 there was no end in sight they just put Nelson Mandela in jail and
they just put Nelson Mandela in jail and
they just put Nelson Mandela in jail and he did about 30 years almost 30 years in
he did about 30 years almost 30 years in
he did about 30 years almost 30 years in prison in the United States they were
prison in the United States they were
prison in the United States they were just cleaning up their legislation
just cleaning up their legislation
just cleaning up their legislation getting rid of the final remnants of law
getting rid of the final remnants of law
getting rid of the final remnants of law that promoted racial discrimination the
that promoted racial discrimination the
that promoted racial discrimination the problems aren’t solved but they were
problems aren’t solved but they were
problems aren’t solved but they were they were just in the course of doing
they were just in the course of doing
they were just in the course of doing that in 1966 when we turned to women’s
that in 1966 when we turned to women’s
that in 1966 when we turned to women’s equality
equality
equality I looked at the number of women heads of
I looked at the number of women heads of
I looked at the number of women heads of government in the 1960s you know from
government in the 1960s you know from
government in the 1960s you know from 1960 to 1970 in the world there were
1960 to 1970 in the world there were
1960 to 1970 in the world there were three women who were heads of government
three women who were heads of government
three women who were heads of government and it improved in the next decade from
and it improved in the next decade from
and it improved in the next decade from 1970 to 1980 there were four and you
1970 to 1980 there were four and you
1970 to 1980 there were four and you know how many there were in the last
know how many there were in the last
know how many there were in the last decade from 2007 to 2016
decade from 2007 to 2016
decade from 2007 to 2016 37 women heads of government so there
37 women heads of government so there
37 women heads of government so there been dramatic changes I probably don’t
been dramatic changes I probably don’t
been dramatic changes I probably don’t need to tell that to anybody in the room
need to tell that to anybody in the room
need to tell that to anybody in the room I think you understand it if you have
I think you understand it if you have
I think you understand it if you have any doubts talk to your grandmother’s
any doubts talk to your grandmother’s
any doubts talk to your grandmother’s and they’ll tell you how it changed but
and they’ll tell you how it changed but
and they’ll tell you how it changed but the other thing about equality is that
the other thing about equality is that
the other thing about equality is that groups that were not contemplated in
groups that were not contemplated in
groups that were not contemplated in 1966 that were not discussed that people
1966 that were not discussed that people
1966 that were not discussed that people didn’t consider were part of the
didn’t consider were part of the
didn’t consider were part of the conversation about equality have emerged
conversation about equality have emerged
conversation about equality have emerged more recently sexual minorities for one
more recently sexual minorities for one
more recently sexual minorities for one in 1966 most countries in the world
in 1966 most countries in the world
in 1966 most countries in the world including many of them in Europe
including many of them in Europe
including many of them in Europe criminalized gay sexual activity now
criminalized gay sexual activity now
criminalized gay sexual activity now that’s all gone that’s the thing of the
that’s all gone that’s the thing of the
that’s all gone that’s the thing of the past certainly in this part of the world
past certainly in this part of the world
past certainly in this part of the world and now we have same-sex marriage but
and now we have same-sex marriage but
and now we have same-sex marriage but you know in 1966 there were laws in the
you know in 1966 there were laws in the
you know in 1966 there were laws in the United States preventing marriage not
United States preventing marriage not
United States preventing marriage not between people of the same sex
between people of the same sex
between people of the same sex between people of different races there
between people of different races there
between people of different races there were laws still enforce fifty years ago
were laws still enforce fifty years ago
were laws still enforce fifty years ago so who could have foreseen this it’s a
so who could have foreseen this it’s a
so who could have foreseen this it’s a bit like the death penalty what person
bit like the death penalty what person
bit like the death penalty what person in 1966 would have said fifty years from
in 1966 would have said fifty years from
in 1966 would have said fifty years from now we’ll have gay marriage
now we’ll have gay marriage
now we’ll have gay marriage we’ll have equality recognized for
we’ll have equality recognized for
we’ll have equality recognized for sexual minorities another area where
sexual minorities another area where
sexual minorities another area where there was huge development was in the
there was huge development was in the
there was huge development was in the area of disability rights and again in
area of disability rights and again in
area of disability rights and again in 1966 disability rights were not really
1966 disability rights were not really
1966 disability rights were not really on the radar and now we have a very very
on the radar and now we have a very very
on the radar and now we have a very very strong system we have an international
strong system we have an international
strong system we have an international treaty we have a great deal of attention
treaty we have a great deal of attention
treaty we have a great deal of attention being devoted to making sure that people
being devoted to making sure that people
being devoted to making sure that people who are disabled are in a position to
who are disabled are in a position to
who are disabled are in a position to play a full and equal role in our
play a full and equal role in our
play a full and equal role in our society in our social life and that’s a
society in our social life and that’s a
society in our social life and that’s a great change that could not have been I
great change that could not have been I
great change that could not have been I think really foreseen in 1966 so the
think really foreseen in 1966 so the
think really foreseen in 1966 so the question is what happens in the next 50
question is what happens in the next 50
question is what happens in the next 50 years where do we go in the next 50
years where do we go in the next 50
years where do we go in the next 50 years I think in the area of equality
years I think in the area of equality
years I think in the area of equality rights to remain with that very
rights to remain with that very
rights to remain with that very important core issue in human rights
important core issue in human rights
important core issue in human rights the new frontier the area that we have
the new frontier the area that we have
the new frontier the area that we have not addressed is equality in economic
not addressed is equality in economic
not addressed is equality in economic and social rights economic and social
and social rights economic and social
and social rights economic and social status
status
status we have huge inequalities on this planet
we have huge inequalities on this planet
we have huge inequalities on this planet even here in this country they appear to
even here in this country they appear to
even here in this country they appear to have grown in many ways and very
have grown in many ways and very
have grown in many ways and very unfortunately these economic and social
unfortunately these economic and social
unfortunately these economic and social inequalities are also nourishing things
inequalities are also nourishing things
inequalities are also nourishing things like the populist movements that seem to
like the populist movements that seem to
like the populist movements that seem to be arising in different parts of the
be arising in different parts of the
be arising in different parts of the world and that are threatening human
world and that are threatening human
world and that are threatening human rights and yet they seem to be what what
rights and yet they seem to be what what
rights and yet they seem to be what what the victims of these of these violations
the victims of these of these violations
the victims of these of these violations turn to as a hope in order to enhance
turn to as a hope in order to enhance
turn to as a hope in order to enhance their desire for equal treatment how
their desire for equal treatment how
their desire for equal treatment how this will come about in the next 50
this will come about in the next 50
this will come about in the next 50 years I’m not in a position to say we
years I’m not in a position to say we
years I’m not in a position to say we will have to find creative solutions the
will have to find creative solutions the
will have to find creative solutions the fact is that the wealth has never been
fact is that the wealth has never been
fact is that the wealth has never been more unequally distributed in the world
more unequally distributed in the world
more unequally distributed in the world Stephen Piketty wrote a great book about
Stephen Piketty wrote a great book about
Stephen Piketty wrote a great book about this a few years ago and I’m sure many
this a few years ago and I’m sure many
this a few years ago and I’m sure many of you have read this I think that on
of you have read this I think that on
of you have read this I think that on the planet Earth there’s enough wealth
the planet Earth there’s enough wealth
the planet Earth there’s enough wealth to ensure that every single person on
to ensure that every single person on
to ensure that every single person on the planet is fed and housed and
the planet is fed and housed and
the planet is fed and housed and educated and
educated and
educated and medical care but so much of it is hidden
medical care but so much of it is hidden
medical care but so much of it is hidden away in tax shelters in Panama and we
away in tax shelters in Panama and we
away in tax shelters in Panama and we have to solve that problem and I’m
have to solve that problem and I’m
have to solve that problem and I’m confident that we will the other area
confident that we will the other area
confident that we will the other area and this is something that is in a way a
and this is something that is in a way a
and this is something that is in a way a newer right is the right to freedom of
newer right is the right to freedom of
newer right is the right to freedom of movement
movement
movement now the Universal Declaration of Human
now the Universal Declaration of Human
now the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Covenant of 1966 says
Rights and the Covenant of 1966 says
Rights and the Covenant of 1966 says everyone shall have freedom of movement
everyone shall have freedom of movement
everyone shall have freedom of movement within their country within the borders
within their country within the borders
within their country within the borders of their country that was a political
of their country that was a political
of their country that was a political concession it’s like the slaveholders
concession it’s like the slaveholders
concession it’s like the slaveholders recognizing equality rights because if
recognizing equality rights because if
recognizing equality rights because if you think of the notion of freedom of
you think of the notion of freedom of
you think of the notion of freedom of movement we should have freedom of
movement we should have freedom of
movement we should have freedom of movement throughout the earth without
movement throughout the earth without
movement throughout the earth without having to worry about borders for most
having to worry about borders for most
having to worry about borders for most of us actually we probably assume we
of us actually we probably assume we
of us actually we probably assume we have it already as as prosperous
have it already as as prosperous
have it already as as prosperous European professionals we are in a
European professionals we are in a
European professionals we are in a position to go up to the airport and fly
position to go up to the airport and fly
position to go up to the airport and fly anywhere in the world all we need is a
anywhere in the world all we need is a
anywhere in the world all we need is a passport and a credit card and we can do
passport and a credit card and we can do
passport and a credit card and we can do it we assume we have these mobility
it we assume we have these mobility
it we assume we have these mobility rights but there are people watching
rights but there are people watching
rights but there are people watching this elsewhere in the world and they’re
this elsewhere in the world and they’re
this elsewhere in the world and they’re saying well I don’t have that and that’s
saying well I don’t have that and that’s
saying well I don’t have that and that’s the problem we have to correct we have
the problem we have to correct we have
the problem we have to correct we have gone through this terrible crisis in
gone through this terrible crisis in
gone through this terrible crisis in Europe that people sometimes called the
Europe that people sometimes called the
Europe that people sometimes called the refugee crisis with a million people
refugee crisis with a million people
refugee crisis with a million people trying to enter the continent some
trying to enter the continent some
trying to enter the continent some countries have been very welcoming some
countries have been very welcoming some
countries have been very welcoming some have been not so nice what is it it’s
have been not so nice what is it it’s
have been not so nice what is it it’s people trying to exercise their right to
people trying to exercise their right to
people trying to exercise their right to freedom of movement and another
freedom of movement and another
freedom of movement and another important right their fundamental right
important right their fundamental right
important right their fundamental right this is also secured in the Universal
this is also secured in the Universal
this is also secured in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to seek
Declaration of Human Rights to seek
Declaration of Human Rights to seek asylum and to enjoy asylum from
asylum and to enjoy asylum from
asylum and to enjoy asylum from persecution and it’s to our shame as
persecution and it’s to our shame as
persecution and it’s to our shame as Europeans that thousands of them have
Europeans that thousands of them have
Europeans that thousands of them have died in recent years drowned in the
died in recent years drowned in the
died in recent years drowned in the Mediterranean Sea doing nothing more
Mediterranean Sea doing nothing more
Mediterranean Sea doing nothing more than trying to exercise their
than trying to exercise their
than trying to exercise their fundamental rights some think the
fundamental rights some think the
fundamental rights some think the solution is to build walls that was an
solution is to build walls that was an
solution is to build walls that was an issue in the recent election campaign in
issue in the recent election campaign in
issue in the recent election campaign in the United States build a wall that’s
the United States build a wall that’s
the United States build a wall that’s going to advance humanity you know we
going to advance humanity you know we
going to advance humanity you know we had a wall in Europe once not that long
had a wall in Europe once not that long
had a wall in Europe once not that long ago just over 50 years ago somebody in
ago just over 50 years ago somebody in
ago just over 50 years ago somebody in East Germany thought it to be a good
East Germany thought it to be a good
East Germany thought it to be a good idea to build a wall and that wall came
idea to build a wall and that wall came
idea to build a wall and that wall came crumbling down we celebrated the
crumbling down we celebrated the
crumbling down we celebrated the anniversary again this week that wall
anniversary again this week that wall
anniversary again this week that wall came crumbling down and with it the
came crumbling down and with it the
came crumbling down and with it the people who had built it okay humanity
people who had built it okay humanity
people who had built it okay humanity doesn’t need more walls we need bridges
doesn’t need more walls we need bridges
doesn’t need more walls we need bridges not walls now some of you are sitting
not walls now some of you are sitting
not walls now some of you are sitting there thinking oh he’s a utopian and
there thinking oh he’s a utopian and
there thinking oh he’s a utopian and he’s naive these things will never come
he’s naive these things will never come
he’s naive these things will never come to pass but imagine someone in 1966
to pass but imagine someone in 1966
to pass but imagine someone in 1966 talking about near-universal of
talking about near-universal of
talking about near-universal of abolition of the death penalty equality
abolition of the death penalty equality
abolition of the death penalty equality for sexual minorities the rights of the
for sexual minorities the rights of the
for sexual minorities the rights of the disabled and so on these two seemed
disabled and so on these two seemed
disabled and so on these two seemed unimaginable if you call me a dreamer
unimaginable if you call me a dreamer
unimaginable if you call me a dreamer let me cite another dreamer Martin
let me cite another dreamer Martin
let me cite another dreamer Martin Luther King who said that the moral arc
Luther King who said that the moral arc
Luther King who said that the moral arc of the universe is long but it tends
of the universe is long but it tends
of the universe is long but it tends towards justice I won’t be around in 50
towards justice I won’t be around in 50
towards justice I won’t be around in 50 years to see whether my predictions come
years to see whether my predictions come
years to see whether my predictions come true most of you would be pretty old
true most of you would be pretty old
true most of you would be pretty old I dare say you’ll be sitting there
I dare say you’ll be sitting there
I dare say you’ll be sitting there thinking that guy I heard answered 50
thinking that guy I heard answered 50
thinking that guy I heard answered 50 years ago did he underestimate things
years ago did he underestimate things
years ago did he underestimate things was he conservative he never imagined
was he conservative he never imagined
was he conservative he never imagined how much things would change the fact is
how much things would change the fact is
how much things would change the fact is these ideas freedom equality justice
these ideas freedom equality justice
these ideas freedom equality justice they don’t explain everything about the
they don’t explain everything about the
they don’t explain everything about the progress of humanity about our ability
progress of humanity about our ability
progress of humanity about our ability to live together but they explain a
to live together but they explain a
to live together but they explain a great deal and they provide us with a
great deal and they provide us with a
great deal and they provide us with a guide to what our future is going to
guide to what our future is going to
guide to what our future is going to look like thank you
look like thank you
look like thank you [Applause]
”
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