Media Reaction Paper Essay Example

our American culture. The feeling one arrives at when watching this part in the movie is that there is no apartheid; just a culturally diverse united South Africa. Like the American president, Mandela has an office staff who consists, of African Americans, Englishmen, and a few members who are of Pakistani decent.

Much of the way that Mandela treats people and discusses a “Rainbow Nation” mimics that of the American “Melting Pot,” all are welcome and to be treated equally.

ii A white man named Johan De Villiers (fictitious name, original reporters name was David Van Der Sandt) portrays the reporter throughout the movie, (Internet) starts out bashing the Springboks and praises the Australians to win in one of the upcoming matches. Several of his comments seem like he is mocking this majority led white Rugby team because they represent South Africa, portraying them as laughable.

Which I think comes from De Villiers stereotyping of what he thinks of as an all black South Africa. As the South African team continues to win matches and head toward the final game against an all black New Zealand team the reporters antics and quips seem tamed. In an instance right before the game begins a plane is seen, whose captain announces full responsibility for his actions (thus leading people to believe he might commit a terrorist attack), he flies very low over the stadium, and the words 'Go Springboks' are seen painted underneath the plane, the crowd erupts in cheers! IMDB) Once the final match has been played and won by South Africa, you see a defining moment in the film in which Johan De Villiers delivers

the question to Francois Pienaar “What does it feel like to have 62,000 fans cheering for you in the stadium? ” To which Pienaar replies, “ we didn’t have 62,000 fans, we had 43 million South Africans” (Telegraph).

A reply that I believe Pienaar whole heartedly meant, but also saw a chance to get a little dig back at the thoughtless reporter.

In another part of the movie it shows a newspaper with the headlines reading, “He can win an election but can he run a country,” referring to Mandela. Which it seems to be portraying Mandela out to be a friend more than a politician, stereotyping him as trying to get retribution from the people for his stint in prison on Robben Island. Throughout the film it seems that there is cultural diversity, but it comes more from Mandela, Pienaar, and the people of South Africa than from the news media itself.

iii “Where there is poverty and sickness, where human beings are being oppressed, there is more work to be done.

Our work is for freedom for all. After 90 years of life, It is time for new hands to lift the burdens. It is in your hands now. ” Nelson Mandela, Hyde Park, London, June 2008 In conclusion I definitely believe that this movie fostered a better understanding of diversity and multiculturalism. Several instances in the movie lead me to think this way.

Toward the beginning you see the newly elected Mandela coming into his Presidential Office, and as he walks in he notices many packed boxes and emptied offices.

At that point he turns to his Office Chairwoman and asks her

to please ask all employees to come to the board room leaving the body guards outside, as to not make the employees feel under duress with armed guards in the room. He starts his speech by speaking of his intentions, and then says to the room of employees, “If you are packing your stuff because the color of your skin, or fear that your language is different disqualifies you, then have no fear, I want your help” (Invictus). “All I ask is that you do your work to the best of your abilities” (Invictus).

Another instance is the time he makes mention of wanting South Africa to be a “Rainbow Nation” and refers to forgiveness starting there, and that forgiveness is a “powerful weapon. ” Not to mention that throughout the movie you see mixed people of color routing for the same team.

The South African body guards working with white body guards all for the same interest, to protect President Mandela. Then at the final scene of the South African team win you see all races and religions hugging each other for the celebratory win.

Toward the close of the movie after the South African team has won the World Cup Championship you see team Captain Pienaar fall to his knees, and as a practicing Christian wanted to say a prayer for being able to be in such a magnificent event, as he recites his prayer he looks up to find that he is surrounded by his teammates (news. Bbc). I think the most defining moment of the film occurs when the World Cup Championship has ended you see Mandela handing the Gold Cup

to Pienaar, and he says, “Thank you for what you did for our country. , to which Pienaar replies, “no Mr.

President Thank You for what you have done for our country. ” President Mandela during his time in office worked very hard for a united South Africa, and the end of apartheid, and that was definitely portrayed throughout the film. His hard worked must have paid off because on November ninth two thousand and nine, the United Nations General Assembly announced that Mandela’s birthday July eighteenth is to be known as “Mandela Day” to mark his contributions to world freedom. (mandeladay. com).