Martin sheen speech review

“One heart with courage is the majority” – Martin Sheen. Activism is the only way to stay alive. These are the thoughts of Martin Sheen who addressed the We Day speech in Vancouver in 2010.  His words are powerful, his words are meaningful, and his words are motivating.

So many people in our Canadian society can relate to Sheen’s first few minutes of his speech where he summarizes his parents’ immigrant experience. Like so many, his parents left home to come to a better place, a place where social justice is important, a place where social justice is encouraged. Many of my friends’ families have left their homelands to escape violence, oppression, inequality, lack of freedom. In many of those countries, these things cannot be fought for, because of what might happen to those who speak out. These people might want to be active, but cannot just out of fear. Sometimes they depend on others from democratic and developed countries where there is social justice, to speak out and act for them. This is what Sheen means when he talks about, “lost causes are worth fighting for”.

Sheen’s definition of “fighting for” is non-violent. He does not promote physical violence, but he does promote physical action. Sheen encourages speaking up and speaking out against social injustices, similar to the way Martin Luther King Jr., Bobby Kennedy did in the 1960s. They acted to improve the quality of life for others. As Sheen quoted, ripples make currents and currents sweep down injustice. All it takes is one person to have an idea and for other likeminded people to come together with them. These are words from a speech made by Bobby Kennedy in 1966. Inspirational words, even today.

Sheen refers to the 3 basic needs of humans, freedom, justice, and healing not food, shelter, clothing. When freedom, justice and healing happen, then food, shelter, and clothing will happen. These basic needs can only occur if people act rather than be apathetic. Like Sheen says, we are all responsible for each other. We do have to make rules that govern our hearts. We have to do things with care. We do have to reach outside of ourselves. We do have to find courage. I agree with Sheen when he says, “One heart with cause is a majority”. Even though we may all have fears, it is necessary to reach out and act. In this way, we will help to make life easier for those who have difficult lives.

Sheen’s speech is inspiring. His words are a call to action for all of us who do not act. Once we all act, then, and only then there will be freedom, justice and healing for all of humankind.