023: 10 Lessons for Eco-Leaders from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom - a podcast by Joan M Gregerson

The ecological challenges ahead of us are of epic proportions. We can learn a lot by studying successful revolutions that have come before us. In this episode, you’ll hear 10 lessons for Eco-Leaders from the struggle to overcome apartheid in South Africa, as told in the movie Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

[1:00] Our education systems don’t teach us about representation or revolution.

[1:15] Historically, there is a tendency for power to be concentrated in the hands of the few, at the expense of the many.

[1:30] It is no less of a challenge than overcoming slavery, genocide, or apartheid.

[2:00] You can’t compare 1-to-1 the suffering and injustice of apartheid to the collapse of ecological systems, but there are some similarities.

[2:15] What could be more unjust than taking away the opportunity for future generations to inhabit a liveable world.

[2:30] We can learn a lot from studying how huge entrenched problems were overcome.

[2:50] Takeaways from the film: Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

[3:00] Not on Netflix. Check the library or wherever you watch movies.

[3:15] 10 Lessons for Eco-Leaders from the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

[3:30] 1. Individually we are weak. Together we are strong. (with open hand vs closed fist image)

[4:00] 2. Welcome the challenges. They will help you become who you need to be.

[4:45] 3. Remind people that the end result you desire is inevitable.

[5:25] 4. Don’t turn on each other.

[6:40] 5. Allies matter.

[7:00] 6. Follow the money.

[7:50] 7. Leaders lead.

[8:30] 8. Peace is the only way.

[9:00] 9. Vote.

[9:45]10. Don’t give up.

 

Quotes

 

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

• Nelson Mandela

 

What could be more unjust than taking away the opportunity for future generations to inhabit a livable world.

• Joan Gregerson

 

We humans are going to learn to live in harmony with nature or we’re going to fall away. It’s inevitable.

• Joan Gregerson

Resources:

• Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (IMDB)
• If “Did Not Vote” Had Been A Candidate In The 2016 US Presidential Election, It Would Have Won By a Landslide (Brilliant Maps, November 2016)
• U.S. trails most developed countries in voter turnout (Pew Center, May 2018)
• Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory

 

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this over in the Podcast Discussion Group. Get access through the Green Team Essentials at www.GreenTeamAcademy.com.

Further episodes of Green Team Academy

Further podcasts by Joan M Gregerson

Website of Joan M Gregerson