Posted by
ApolloSpeaks on Monday, December 14, 2009 9:38:39 AM
I am puzzled by those who criticize Invictus as being an excerise in leftist political narcissism and pro-Mandela propaganda. Clint Eastward the director is an opponent of political correctness and is no leftist; nor is it a propaganda film about Nelson Mandela. Invictus is a film about a predominately white South African underdog rugby team, Springbok, that achieves the seemingly impossible and wins a world cup championship against a seemingly invincible, unstoppable team from New Zealand. The victory of Springbok was a bright shinning exhilarating moment in the otherwise terrible history and nightmare of post-apartheid socialist South Africa.
The film shows the very best of a post-racial, post-partisan courageous Nelson Mandela trying desparately to forge a unified nation out of a multi-racial strife torn society. Mandela's moral vision for SA was a failure-as was Ghandi's for India and Lincoln's for the South*. Though Springbok's world cup victory was wildly celebrated throughout SA, across racial, ethnic and political lines, the emotional unity it achieved, a glorious moment in time, was short lived. Invictus captures that moment and it is wonderful to behold. Next to Blind Side Invictus, in my view, is the best film of the year.
* It took 100 years before Jim Crow and racial discrimination were abolished in the South; and it may take just as long for South Africa to achieve racial harmony after 300 years of oppressive white rule.
THE LAST BEST HOPE FOR SOUTH AFRICA
The last best hope for South Africa, and the continent at large, is the United States of America restored to its founding principles of life, liberty and personal responsibility with a government serving the people in protecting their natural rights and liberties and not creating new rights and spreading wealth like Obama and the Dems are destructively doing. The victory of Obama and the Democratic Congress on job killing healthcare, welfare, and Cap and Trade legislation will result in a national catastrophe. It will mean America moving backwards in the direction of tragic South Africa making us poorer, weaker and more divided by conflict. South Africa must be Americanized not America South Africanized which is the sorry path taken by the poor regressive socialist fool in the White House.
Postscript: A White South African's View of the Springbok Victory
The following is a comment posted on Pajamas Media by a white South African critical of John Boot's article on Invictus. For some reason this comment was removed (see).
"I think this John Boot should go watch the actual 1995 Rugby World Cup Final before he writes anything else on Invictus! Or maybe he should learn what the game is about first. How can you talk so badly about a game if you don’t even know the game. Get your facts straight Mr Boot!!
I am a white South African and I was only 13 when we won the 1995 world cup. It was one of the greatest days of my life. I will never forget what I was wearing, what I was doing or how I felt when I saw Nelson Mandela walk out with that springbok jersey. It meant the world to us! and us meaning everyone!!! It showed us that he was behind the boks. He used the Rugby World Cup to unite people. Maybe it isn’t up to your standards but just imagine what this country would have been like if Mandela did not do what he did? Have you got any idea what a risk it was for Mandela to walk out on the field with a springbok jersey*? Wake up Mr Boot!!! You got much to learn!"
*I learned from a South African that Rugy isn't just a sport in South Africa, it is a religion. Springbok was hated by black South Africans because it was the pride and joy of the apartheid regime. When Springbok would play blacks normally rooted for the opposing team. To Mandela's credit he turned Springbok into a truly national team loved and supported by all South Africans.