Jimmy Reid: Orator and Visionary
Jimmy Reid will not be known to many people outside the UK. Nor will he be known to many Gen Yers. I hard vaguely on the news that he had died but thought little.
Then on Saturday I stumbled over Jimmy Reid’s 1972 speech to Glasgow University which was reprinted in its entirety by The Independent. I was so excited. I thought a new leader had burst into UK politics.
I was half way through the speech before the penny dropped. 1972 – 4 decades ago and every bit as relevant a maninfesto today.
As a speech, it may not be quite on the same plain as “I have a dream”. It doesn’t have the simplicity or the connection to images shared with a huge audience. It’s too thoughtful. It might rank up there, though, with Obama’s speech to the Democratic Party in 2004.
Here is a Wordle of the speech (via ManyEyes.) I am going to do more work with speech. I’d love your comments and requests.
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