Open Hearted reminder from 1940

Granted this was propaganda to begin with, and music was added (rather tastefully IMHO), I wanted to share this for people who have never seen it. Every time I watch this it opens my heart and reminds me that we are all human beings, that we all struggle, that we are all somehow being deprived of our humanity, our innate dignity, our right to live as Freemen and Women. I have no bone to pick and I'm not trying to sell you anything or put spin on any agendas. I really just felt this deeply and wanted to share it so that others could experience maybe a little lift maybe like I did. Cheers.

You should watch the entire film.

a reply to: Michielli

It is one of my favourite movies ever. Charlie Chaplin did a great job of laughing in the face of darkness and despair, and this speech... This message of his is in my opinion very relevant to the times we live in.

Here is the transcript, for those who can't view the video:

I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be an emperor. That’s not my business. I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone - if possible - Jew, Gentile - black man - white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness - not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way.

Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost....

The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men - cries out for universal brotherhood - for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world - millions of despairing men, women, and little children - victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people.

To those who can hear me, I say - do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed - the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish. .....

Soldiers! don’t give yourselves to brutes - men who despise you - enslave you - who regiment your lives - tell you what to do - what to think and what to feel! Who drill you - diet you - treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men - machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts! You don’t hate! Only the unloved hate - the unloved and the unnatural! Soldiers! Don’t fight for slavery! Fight for liberty!

In the 17th Chapter of St Luke it is written: “the Kingdom of God is within man” - not one man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you! You, the people have the power - the power to create machines. The power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure.

Then - in the name of democracy - let us use that power - let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world - a decent world that will give men a chance to work - that will give youth a future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfil that promise. They never will!

Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people! Now let us fight to fulfil that promise! Let us fight to free the world - to do away with national barriers - to do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s happiness. Soldiers! in the name of democracy, let us all unite!

a reply to: Michielli



Beautiful. Thank you for posting!

a reply to: Michielli

You see how words and images can be used for good and can inspire people to rise above the brutish and evil forces that feed off of the common person. That is why I too love this speech. Also the music used is from my favorite composer from one of my favorite movies, Inception.

Thanks for sharing this!

a reply to: thepixelpusher

Indeed!

a reply to: Michielli

Hans Zimmer is the composer and the cut used from the Inception soundtrack happens to be my fav cut, which is titled "Time". Time indeed, that this country come together to rise up against the evil outside influences that is stealing our country from us.

BTW, say hi to Adam Curry of "No Agenda" podcast (best podcast in the Universe) and MTV VJ fame when you see him in Austin, TX. He's fighting the good fight.

a reply to: thepixelpusher

If I see him I shall...don't get out much as I have a 2 year old at home so it's either caring for him or working in the studio. Glad you enjoyed the post. cheers.

a reply to: Michielli

Check out the No Agenda podcast to listen to while you work.