10 O'Clock News | [Jesse Jackson at Harvard]

Jesse Jackson speaks out against apartheid at Harvard University

[Jesse Jackson at Harvard]
Original Airdate: 4/4/1985

Length: 00:14:31
Item Type: newstape - original footage

Go back to main record.

Full Description

1:00:03
Visual: Jesse Jackson stands at a podium in front of the Memorial Church building at Harvard University. A banner hanging from the building reads, "Cut ties with apartheid now." Harvard officials and other community leaders are seated behind Jackson. Domenic Bozzotto (labor leader) is among those seated behind Jackson. Jackson addresses a large crowd of students about apartheid. Jackson talks about the leadership of Nelson Mandela (black leader) and Bishop Desmond Tutu (black leader) in South Africa. Jackson says that he has experienced "American-style apartheid." Jackson talks about growing up under Jim Crow laws in South Carolina. Jackson says that people must fight against apartheid in the US and in South Africa. Jackson says that he is familiar with the excuses for apartheid; that he has read opinions in the Crimson (Harvard school newspaper) counseling the nation against cutting ties with South Africa. Jackson says that the South African government is a "reincarnation" of the Third Reich in Germany. Jackson says that the South African government is the "Fourth Reich." Jackson says that anyone who would have cut ties with Germany's Third Reich in 1945 must also cut ties with South Africa in 1985. The audience applauds. Jackson says that apartheid is morally wrong and racist. Jackson talks about the evils of apartheid. Jackson says that racism must be destroyed before it destroys us. The crowd applauds.

1:05:00
V: Jackson calls racism a "disease of the soul." Jackson says that South Africa "is the economic prostitute of the Western world." Jackson talks about the churches, universities, and governments who "jump into bed with South Africa" for "cheap profits." He says that these institutions "preach moralisms by day and reap economic gratification by night." Jackson questions the character of these institutions. Jackson notes that the act of protesting apartheid is a punishable felony in South Africa. Jackson says that economic sanctions hurt the South African government; that divestment will not worsen the situation for blacks in South Africa. Jackson says that Harvard University has $1.8 billion in investments in of South Africa; that Harvard should pull its investments out of South Africa. Jackson says that divestment will put pressure on the rulers of South Africa to change their policies. Jackson talks about Harvard University policies which give credibility and support to South Africa. Jackson says that Harvard must withdraw its support; that "the Harvard crimson becomes redder every time a South African's blood flows in the streets of Johannesburg." Jackson says that Harvard could set an example by divesting from South Africa; that divestment can lead to change. Jackson says that Russia, Eastern Europe, and Cuba are not supporters of the South African government; that the western world must take a stand against the policies of apartheid in South Africa. The audience applauds.

1:10:17
V: Jackson talks about the need to convince universities and the government to divest from South Africa. Jackson says that apartheid is fueled by the profits from investments, bank loans, and trade with South Africa. Jackson talks about the need to send money to and invest in the black resistance movement in South Africa. Jackson says that the US people must fund the black resistance if the US government continues to fund the South African government. Jackson says that US citizens must "rise up" to fight against apartheid in South Africa. Jackson says that "freedom is now." The crowd applauds. The officials behind Jackson rise to their feet.
Shots of a large crowd in Harvard Yard, standing on its feet and clapping for Jackson.

The Ten O'Clock News Home | WGBH

The Ten O'Clock News Project is a production of the WGBH Archives.
©2003 WGBH Educational Foundation.