FULBRIGHTedge
CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE FULBRIGHT PROGRAM | 1977-2013 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 9 DECEMBER 2013
Nelson Mandela’s Fulbright Prize Address Oct. 1 1993, Washington DC. The following are excerpts from a transcript of Mr. Mandela’s address. In July I turned 75. And a day or two Then there came a very devastating Significance of the prize the ideas for which you had fought before that, I met a young lady of comment on her part which will put And it is against the background that were alive, that our people outside about four or five years, and she asked into context the glowing remarks awards of this nature go to strengthen prison were on their feet and fighting me some pointed questions. She asked, which have been made here. When I the democratic forces in our country, back, that the national community “How old are you?” I said, “Well, I couldn’t tell her exactly when I was to strengthen men and women of had mobilized itself to isolate a regime can’t remember but I was born long, born, she said, “You are a foolish old vision. There are thousands of them which had through apartheid commit- long ago.”She said, “A year ago?” man, aren’t you?” in our country, and that is part of the ted a crime against humanity – those I said, “No, more than that.” “Two If any of us is credited with a vision, significance of us getting this Fulbright were glorious moments. When we years ago?” I said, “No longer than you must remember the remarks of Award. We accept it not as a gesture went through those harsh experiences that.”“But when were you born?” I that young lady. And if my remarks to an individual. It is a source of in a prison where all the wardens said, “Well I’ve told you I can’t remem- here confirm what the young lady said, tremendous inspiration, and courage, were white and where all blacks were ber, but it was a long time ago.” I hope you’ll not be as frank. I consider and hope, for one to be associated prisoners, a place of indescribable Then she suddenly switched and said, it a great honor to be standing before with such a prestigious award. But we brutality, it was through gestures of “Why did you go to jail?” I said, “I you today to receive the J. William know that the gesture is in support of this nature that we always knew that didn’t go there because I liked it, some Fulbright Prize for International Under- the men and women over the decades one day we would be back. people sent me there.” “Who?” I said, standing. I count it also a great privi- who have elected to stand on their feet “People who don’t like me.” “And how lege to be with you on the occasion of to fight back. And for those of us, who Generations of the World long did you remain there?” I said, the Fulbright Association’s 16th annual have spent a number of years behind And this prize, this award, is a source “Again I can’t remember but it was a conference. In expressing my heartfelt bars - you have to be behind bars to of tremendous inspiration, not only long time ago.” She again repeated, appreciation of the accolade bestowed appreciate the policy of a country be- to an individual, but to the men and “One year, two years?” And I said, on me, I am not unmindful of the re- cause it is there that the cruelty of men women right across the length and “No, I can’t remember.” sponsibilities one assumes. to men emerges – the knowledge that breadth of our country who decided