An Analysis Of Barack Mandela's Speech (Example)

Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama are two historical figures that played an important role in the leadership of their countries. Mandela was the former president of South Africa, and Obama was the former president of America. Both leaders had major goals set for their countries during their presidential terms which can be found in their inaugural speeches. Their  speeches give thorough details to their ideas, and there are many ways they can be compared and contrasted. 

Nelson Mandela had many goals that he wanted to achieve throughout his presidential term. He gave multiple examples of his vision of South Africa in his inaugural speech. Within the first few paragraphs of his speech, Mandela thanked the heroes world wide that sacrificed their lives for freedom to be granted. “We dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free.Their dreams have become reality. Freedom is their reward.” He later went on to express his desire for his people to acknowledge their freedom. At the end of his speech he said, “ Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves.” Another topic Mandela mentioned in his speech was his desire to fight poverty and discrimination within South Africa. “ We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.” These are some of the ideas that Mandela projected during his inaugural speech.

Obama introduced serious topics in his speech by questioning the government and bringing up problems in America. questioned the government and whether or not it accumulated the needs for the people. “The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works”

Obama also  gave multiple examples of issues in America, and stressed the importance of fixing the problems.  “ Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.  Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered.  Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many -- and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.” These are the serious topics that Obama brought up in his speech.

Although there are many differences between the two inaugural speeches, there are some similarities between the two men. Mandela and Obama were the first black men to lead their countries. They mentioned the struggles in the past between segregation and slavery, and how they have gained success. Mandela and Obama also wanted their presidential term to be a fresh beginning, or a new start, for their countries. Obama said, “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.” Near the end of Mandela’s speech, he said “ The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come. The time to build is upon us.” These are some of the similarities between Obama and Mandela.

In conclusion, the inaugural speeches of Obama and Mandela can be compared and contrasted in multiple ways. While both men brought up different topics in their speeches, they both had the same ideas for their democracies. The two historical figures played an important role in their countries by sharing their ideas and goals for the future, and they both found positive ways to take the initiative to achieve them.