Eldridge Cleaver 1981 BYU Freedom Festival Speech

www.UtahsRepublic.org - In 1981, Eldridge Cleaver spoke at the BYU Freedom Festival about his conversion from being the Marxist, atheist, spokesman for the Black Panther's party, to being a Christian, freedom loving, Founding Father appreciating, patriotic American. It's an amazing journey Eldridge took and an important one for us to learn from.

[@takebreath69]

I had the privilege to be there at the Marriott Center and hear his talk. Very impressive.

[@adamhyer2760]

Right on! Amen! Every American should hear this amazing speech.

[@robinisham9610]

I grew up near Oakland California and remembered his name from when I was young, so when I heard he was speaking at BYU I was eager to listen to him. So happy you have published it!

[@lucindiagalloway8601]

I am thankful for this man admitting his wrong doing.

[@NeoConNET7]

Speech begins at 07:55.

[@ynhwebllc]

I just find it fascinating how true this speech is ringing out TODAY! 2020 He Must Have Had Foresight....

[@rueben3213]

WOW. Love this

[@mrro9688]

Very peculiar 🤔 I'd like to understand in depth the role of christianity and FBI in this mans life

[@E2you]

An idealist as a revolutionary and as a patriot. Mixed feelings watching this vs older footage (or his first book). Can tell he’s still willing to fight the good fight for what he believes. Just such a drastic change even if it’s understandable considering what he saw first hand.

[@jazzbirdbecky]

Loved him!

[@TerrellWilliams]

Amazing, simply amazing. Not only was he an eloquent speaker, but he was filled with passion for the cause. He clearly saw the light, and it seems many these days have had the wall pulled over their eyes and aren't even aware the light can no longer be seen. WE NEED JESUS CHRIST'S form of Government, the only true Government orchestrated by the Father of our souls through Christ himself, carried about by his blessed servants hands. That form of government is capitalism. It is what the founding fathers established this sanctified country on and it is what hundreds of thousands gave their lives to see come into existence. God's love truly is great, and his government is one of order, love and peace. While the people within capitalistic societies have flaws, the ideal behind it cannot be replicated, diminished or destroyed, it is rooted in Christ; whether or not we as Americans still espouse its truths, the light of Christ never dies, and it his light that emanates from the Declaration of Independence, and ultimately has freed this country in the past. It is my hope and prayer we will allow it to do so in the future.

[@hdskousen]

Eldridge Cleaver became a member of the LDS Church soon after this speech and was later ordained an Elder in the Church. However his wife was convinced by others that the Church was not a true religion. She and Eldridge divorced and she took herself and their children back East to live. She currently seems to be an activist or supporter of today's resurrected Black Panthers. Eldridge gave many lectures on the U.S. Constitution with W. Cleon Skousen for the National Center for Constitutional Studies, eventually moving back to California. Over time he became in-active in the LDS Church. In my opinion, I don't think he was able to kick his life-long drug habits and continued to tangle with police in California. Finally, as a street Bible Preacher, he passed away in 1998. An amazing man. I don't doubt we will one day see him in heaven!

[@thebowelsofdeath3112]

Thanks for that .... an amazing man, indeed ... I don't doubt we will one day see him in heaven! ... PEACE ...

[@lucindiagalloway8601]

Harold Skousen Please stop judging him,u don't know what him n his master talkes about.We need to get our own house n order.

[@henrymurray8810]

He had a gift that resonated with multicultural people all over the world. Great speaker. Great insights. BUT, we must always look to the past. It would be lovely if that was not the case, but not all that glitters is gold. Great man, Mr. Cleaver.

[@bscott6420]

was this during his informant(FBI) days or after he admitted to it?

[@awhodothey]

Eldridge Cleaver was not an FBI informant and never said that he was.

[@foestrang]

what a great change of heart! Dr. Cleaver's life epitomizes the grace of Christ.

[@maxspoon4827]

Read Ismael Reed's preface to "Soul On Ice"

[@gorazdzoric5785]

was watching him on firing line with william buckley and than i came to this. what happended to this man... this is just sad

[@colinmontgomery3034]

Hahaha. He really came full circle, huh?

[@luvbea215]

Learning history and understanding the reasons why we don't do the right things is apart of growing in a messed up society. No one is perfect and until you can admit to the things you have done wrong, we wouldn't be able to learn from them in order to grow as a race.

[@formerbaguy]

this is a speech that I truly wished that I could have heard.I have a copy of TARGET ZERO and have read a little of it.Its an excellent book and yes,I do plan on finishing it.Eldridge made an incredible change in his life and its sad that he`s not around anymore.I used to fear this man and I was just a little kid and I actually thought that this man wanted to kill me only because I had white skin.I was 12 years old at the time he was a Black Panther.I didn`t want to hurt nobody just drink my Slurpee and watch Ultraman!May God bless the family that he left behind.

[@TheMaddBlackMann]

What happened to this man? SMH

[@72megasnoopy]

Nova Knowself I'm reading his books they are truly inspiring , he was a very remarkable guy but sadly passed away 20 year ago .

[@namordecai]

He woke up?

[@Knaight3hugh]

He fought for his cause, rambunctious, maybe avaricious and reckless as well , but he spoke up and made his presence felt none the less

[@gabrielsyme4180]

He got smart

[@Mr4gmCkrazy]

"democracy" haha wow Eldrige Well now we see what happened after America exported its democracy damn near every where lol. A world lead by the US with 2 party dictatorships every where and no basic rights such as health care or education..wtf kind of democracy is that ?? Bless this man though, it was nonetheless intriguing to hear his perspective but so many questions come to mind when hearing him speak..i guess his addiction to cocaine in the USA explains very well who he became in the later years of his life in my honest opinion he was better off as a marxist fighting for social justice and his people than as a dope addict "pro american conservative. "

[@awhodothey]

Clearly, you have not studied the actual situations which resulted from Marxism that eldridge witnessed. There are old Firing Line interviews on here of Huey Newton defending Chairman Mao's "cultural revolution", Noam chomsky too. There is no comparison between the communist dictatorships and corrupted American democracy. None. At this point in time, it's willfully ignorant to suggest they are comparable. Alas, many disengenious professors still make these statements. There are plenty of videos on here about communist Russia, China, Cuba, Cambodia, Hungary, North Korea, Laos... The fact that you can't get free birth control, or any other item which didn't even exist 75 years ago does not compare to the oppression of those revolutions.