Olympic Motivational Speaker Ruben Gonzalez

Nelson Mandela - An amazing man.

I’m reading “Playing with the Enemy,” a book about Nelson Mandela.

It says that “…in 2007, a statue of Mandela was unveiled in London’s Parliament square alongside ones of Lincoln and Churchill.

A British newspaper was reporting on the event and they described Mandela a “black leader.” No offense was meant but it still felt vaguely insulting to see him described in such terms. As it would have to see Lincoln or Churchill described merely as “white leaders.”

To identify Mandela by his race is to diminish him and to miss the point.”

Whenever I hear someone categorize themselves as the first Hispanic Governor, or the first Black Senator, or the first Hispanic ANYTHING, I cringe inside.

Why would you want to limit yourself that way? I was born in Argentina and am Hispanic - proud of it. But if my parents had been Chinese, I would be Chinese and proud of that. If my parents had been Black I would be black and proud of THAT.

I was always taught NOT to see myself as a Hispanic Man. To simply see myself as a man. I want to compete with the whole world, not just with the Hispanics. And so should you, no matter what race you are.

I don’t believe Hispanics are better or worse than any other race. So there is no need to categorize. It just diminishes you.

I’d rather have the World Record than the Hispanic record - any day of the year.

Michael Jordan is not the greatest black basketball player. He’s the world’s best basketball player.

Pele was not the best Brazilian soccer player. He was the world’s best soccer player.

Roger Federer is not the world’s best white tennis player. He’s the world’s best tennis player - much better.

Mandela was not a great black leader. He was a great leader. Period.

In “Guess Who’s Coming to dinner,” Sidney Poitier’s character telld his racist dad, “The problem with you is that you see yourself as a black man. I see myself as a man.”

I wish there wasn’t a Black Heritage Month or a Hispanic Heritage Month. You know what? The Orientals don’t need an Oriental Heritage Month. They’re too busy hitting the books and leaving everyone else in the dust!  

Don’t categorize yourself. It’s small thinking.

Don’t box yourself in. It’s small thinking.

Don’t diminish yourself - no matter what race you are.

Olympic Motivational Speaker Ruben Gonzalez
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