Angelina Jolie calls out a ‘rising tide of nationalism masquerading as patriotism’

Here are some photos of Angelina Jolie in Geneva on Wednesday, where she gave a speech at the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation. Sérgio Vieira de Mello was a high-ranking United Nations Special Representative when he was killed (along with more than 20 other UN officials) in Iraq in 2003. I remember when that happened and the Bush Administration did little more than shrug. It was the beginning of the Iraq insurgency, really. His death still haunts many in the UN and those in the diplomatic corps around the world. Angelina chose to honor Sérgio Vieira de Mello with a speech that called out the rise of nationalism masked as patriotism. She chose to call out intolerance masquerading as security. And she did it all without mentioning Donald Trump’s name.

Angelina Jolie spoke out against “the rising tide of nationalism, masquerading as patriotism,” blasted “the absence of strong international leadership” and called for people to “keep the flame of internationalism alive,” even if their leaders are not, in order to help people in need around the world.

“As a citizen, I find myself looking out on a global environment that seems more troubling and uncertain than at any time in my lifetime. I imagine many of you may feel the same,” Jolie said. “We are grappling with a level of conflict and insecurity that seems to exceed our will and capabilities: with more refugees than ever before, and new wars erupting on top of existing conflicts, some already lasting decades.”

“We see a rising tide of nationalism, masquerading as patriotism, and the re-emergence of policies encouraging fear and hatred of others. We see some politicians elected partly on the basis of dismissing international institutions and agreements, as if our countries have not benefited from cooperation, but actually been harmed by it. We hear some leaders talking as if some of our proudest achievements are in fact our biggest liabilities—whether it is the tradition of successfully integrating refugees into our societies, or the institutions and treaties we have built rooted in law and human rights.”

Jolie, known for her recent work helping Syrian refugees, said she believes “anyone committed to human rights is an internationalist… If governments and leaders are not keeping that flame of internationalism alive today, then we as citizens must. We have to challenge the idea that the strongest leaders are those most willing to dismiss human rights on the grounds of national interest. The strongest leaders are those who are capable of pursuing both.”

Saying she was speaking as a “proud American” and “an internationalist,” Jolie said some politicians were elected “partly on the basis of dismissing international institutions and agreements….We have to recognize the damage we do when we undermine the U.N., or use it selectively, or not at all,” Jolie said. She said “there is not a single humanitarian appeal anywhere in the world that is funded by even by half of what is required.”

[From E! News and USA Today]

I’m including the video of her complete speech below. She made me cry, honestly. She really honors Sergio’s legacy properly, and she honors every diplomat, UN worker and internationalist. I love what she says about the rise of nationalism, the lopsided benefits of globalism and more. She’s awesome.

Photos courtesy of Getty.

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79 Responses to “Angelina Jolie calls out a ‘rising tide of nationalism masquerading as patriotism’”

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  1. Talie says:

    I wish she had spoken out like this during the election. I know it’s a personal decision for most celebs, but I can’t imagine it would’ve cost her much, especially since she isn’t starring in many movies anymore.

    • Magdalene says:

      I am sure she was consumed with her family falling apart, she can’t be asked to be involved in everything and yet her sincerity is always questioned. She just can never do enough.

    • Anna says:

      Let’s not forget that Trump won votes from only 19% of the overall population. 26% of eligible voters. His presidency is an anomaly. A mistake. It’s true that he can do some damage in 4 years, but a lot of it will be reversed when he loses the next election (if he runs). Have faith. This has been a morally expensive lesson for our country. I voted Hillary.

      • Bashful says:

        @Anna I totally agree with what you wrote.

        I keep reminding myself and everyone around me the midterm elections are were we can be most effective in preventing 45 from doing more harm.

      • Josephina says:

        It will not be that easy at all to reverse his perverted bills. Recently, he put into law that any attempts to reverse any new law must be approved by the House, the Senate AND the President.

        Secondly, if the illegal gerrymandering continues, this dumbing down of human rights and protection in the United States WILL continue. It will take rising and continued efforts of Americans to resist and fight back until he and other like-minded nationalists are out of public office.

        The nasty attitudes towards women and minorities in this country more than appalling and inappropriate. It is downright criminal.

      • Avery says:

        @Anna – I really needed to hear this today.

      • testmilk says:

        Testing

    • Luca76 says:

      I think because she’s so involved with the UN she tried to appear neutral and takes her lead from them. For instance she waited until after the higher level chiefs spoke on the travel ban before she made a statement.

      • Ophelia says:

        I think so too. Added to that, her then-boss Gutierrez was preparing to take up the UN SecGen post, so the transitioning and putting down policies need to come first for someone of her position. I am sure there are protocols she must follow as a Special Envoy of a UN high commission, which might be more rigorous than a mere brand ambassador due to the role in policymaking afforded by her rank. We don’t know what behind the scenes things she did and continue to do.

        But we know that even without her saying it that she must feel frustrated about it. The connection to her father for one, she must know what Trump is like. Then, his policies literally go against all the causes she champions–UNHCR most certainly, but also her child immigrant advocacy KiND (Kids in Need of Defense). I can only imagine the headaches those lawyers must feel now with all the changes in immigration policies, &c.

        I know that I am a vocal critic of her and her ex husband, but to be fair, I do think this is not something to shade her for. As a UN diplomat, she like other diplomats, must abide to certain limitations that her non-diplomat Hollywood peers are not held against.

    • KB says:

      I don’t blame any celebrity that chooses not to discuss politicians specifically. Particularly as it pertains to Trump. He would have just done what he does best. He’d have used the opportunity to tweet something asinine and get more publicity and divert from his incompetence on the issues.

    • testmilk says:

      She acts in 1-2 films a year and directs 1-2 films a year. Next up is a 20 mil paycheck for Maleficent. However, even if her ‘being political’ and partisan meant her box office tanked, i doubt she’d care or let it affect what she does.

      No, i think she’s smart enough to realize that in this country, as often evidenced by these threads, there are people, especially still bitter women, who live to oppose things just because she’s for them. Hillary has that problem too? Angelina’s a lightening rod also.

      In the past, she’s kept her politics to herself also because she’s had to lobby both sides in DC for issues/policy that she prioritizes, cares about and that she wants passed. So it’s not conducive to be known as a partisan politician from her stamdpoint.

  2. Andrea1 says:

    HER SPEECH WAS AMAZING…….
    She is a wonderful woman and a class act
    She looks so great in that dress and her skin glows

    • Maya says:

      Everything you said 👏

      I have always been proud to call myself a fan and Angelina just keeps getting better and better.

      • Andrea1 says:

        I’m with you there Maya.
        She has risen above the hate and is forging ahead with her life.

    • doofus says:

      amazing and making international news. the fact that she didn’t even mention 45 by name is going to IRK him to no end.

      you go on, you badass woman.

  3. Nicole says:

    Such a good speech. She’s so eloquent.

  4. justsaying says:

    Her face looks different… she’s had some work done.

  5. Bossman says:

    Great woman… Glad she is rid of Pitt. Each time i look at her picture i remember that stupid page six and Hollywood reporter article saying Pitt gave her influence and clot. This woman is a formidable force and they don’t just know it. She has moved on from her divorce and looks like she at peace with herself.

    • Maya says:

      Angelina has always been formidable which is why the media hates her.

      I do think that Brad has more influence in Hollywood but Angelina has more power outside.

      And Hollywood doesn’t hate her as some people claimed – she just refused a movie with Ridley Scott due to scheduling conflict.

      • Bossman says:

        I agree with you. Its a surprise media isn’t carrying the news of her turning down a script maybe becos the expect her to run into a hole

  6. Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

    I totally agree with everything she said here – the rise of ultra nationalism and lack of strong leaders is very scary. We don’t need to look very far into the past to see what happened the last time this happened.

  7. SaraR. says:

    Good speech. Questions and answers session with students, right after the speech, is even better!
    The whole thing is here:

    http://webtv.un.org/search/angelina-jolie-sergio-vieira-de-mello-lecture-2017/5359444078001?term=Angelina%20Jolie

  8. Magdalene says:

    She always chooses her words very carefully and does a diplomatic diss without being offensive. This is what she was doing before she met Pitt and she has never wavered in her support of refugees in 16 years. I admire her tenacity.

  9. IlsaLund says:

    She is truly inspiring. I agree with everything she said. Wonder how long before Jon Voight and his bff Trumpdiddy say something in response to her speech.

    • Megan says:

      I sincerely hope Voight keeps his big mouth shut. He should be proud of the work she is doing, not trolling her for her compassion and commitment to those who are suffering.

    • doofus says:

      Voight is just bitter because his daughter’s resume and influence has eclipsed his own…

      …AND she wants nothing to do with him.

      and who can blame her.

  10. Greata says:

    Well done Angelina! I admire both your intelligence and your mighty heart.

  11. Ennie says:

    She’s so brave. She really doesn’t need more hate. There are plenty of awful comments just for who she is, now with this new “era” , in many sites now they hate her for the causes she supports, which are pro thise who are left unprotected and vulnerable. I see that as even dangerous. I wish her the best and will continue to support her.
    Keep on, Angelina!

  12. Sera says:

    She is smart, beautiful and an inspiration to young people interested in humanitarian endeavors.

  13. Adorable says:

    On point as always Angie,continue to inspire!…& ofcourse I’m going to be vain…That glowing skin,dark hair,dress…oh my goodness👌🏼

  14. bap says:

    Angelina is playing Chess while the haters are playing checkers. Angelina is always several ahead of the haters.

  15. bap says:

    Alfonso Espina‏
    @alfonsoespina

    Follow
    More
    Alfonso Espina Retweeted Entertainment Weekly
    He produces, directs & stars. It’s his passion project. If “he” were “she”, critics would call this a vanity project

  16. bap says:

    Some use the word toward Angelina as been hated. I say she is a ‘Controversial Figure’. Which make the most interesting persons In life to want to know about and follow.

  17. bap says:

    Angelina Jolie

     Visiting Professor in Practice
    Angelina Jolie DCMG is Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and co-founder of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI).
     

  18. bap says:

    24heures

    Angelina Jolie attracts nearly 1,000 people to Geneva

  19. Elle says:

    Only a physically gorgeous woman could garner this attention consistently. Even interest in Mother Theresa faded. Angelina’s amazing, a true example of what good looks should be used to do. Love her! Reminds me of Audrey Hepburn and Lena Horne,

    • Vox says:

      That was largely because people discovered the truth about that dreadful woman, how she took from the dying patients to fund her own comfort, befriended dictators and denied her ‘patients’ pain meds and treatment because the only way to heaven was through suffering. Of course, when she took ill she went to all the best doctors.
      I’m pretty sure Angelina would be doing this no matter what she looked like. If her being attractive helps bring notice to her causes then so much the better, as long as people take the time to hear her messages.

  20. Grant says:

    Great speech. What did she do to her face???

    • Ophelia says:

      Could’ve been overly zealous with the botox sprucer-upper. Which is odd considering she’s usually quite sparing in her tweaks. I used to say that whichever doc she goes to is good in restraining themselves to keep things on the DL and normal. But this one looks like she got half a vial too many.

      Maybe a celebration “last hurrah” botox.

    • Fa says:

      Nothing her face always shine like that, and the dark hair don’t suit her here with how the hair was style and if you watch the video you can see all the wrinkles under her eyes.

    • bap says:

      @Grant Angleina has done nothing to her face. She is naturally beautiful.

      • sage says:

        She definitely botoxed or filled her face. She has that Kate Middleton raised eyebrow look.

  21. Candies says:

    She looks much better in these photos. Like good truly. I hope she keeps it up.

    • YepIsaidit says:

      Yes, she looks beautiful and her legs are actually not twigs anymore. Still skinny but she looks good.

  22. QQ says:

    Sent this to my ma, chief Brangeloonie in chief

  23. Chinoiserie says:

    Nationalism and patriosim are the same thing in my language except that patriotism refers to nationalism in here and nationalism is the universal term. So this statement is a bit confusing to me but I know in US patriotism is used as the positive term and nationalism as the negative one but I am somewhat unclear what is the difference. I guess nationalism is always though to be right wing only.

    • Joannie says:

      Ive always thought nationalism was a good thing. Pride in your country. Perhaps I’ve interpreted that wrongly. To say something positive re Angie, she has stuck with the UN and her commitment is admirable. BUT. She comes off as so self serving to me. And her overly botoxed and filled face was so distracting.

      • graymatters says:

        They’re tricky terms. Nationalism is an extreme version of patriotism and often includes a sense that the dominant culture is the only “true” one — defined by customs, language, race/religion, and sometimes art. Patriotism is pride in one’s country and often includes a sense of service (think military and community organizations) and often extends to hospitality towards guests, even guest workers and potential new citizens.

        Nationalism is often blamed for the Prussian rise to dominance and instigation of WWI, patriotism is credited with the westward movement in the U.S. and development of the “melting pot” culture — even though greed and prejudice played a role in those factors.

    • Mocha says:

      I think she’s talking about nationalism as turning inward, ignoring international agreements, putting up trade barriers. I think her speech was good in spirit but nothing special and certainly no concrete solutions. Human rights issues are very important but international trade deals tend to end up punishing those who can least afford to be punished – the working/middle class – which is exactly why there’s the rising tide of nationalism / decline of globalism. Any speech that whinges about nationalism and failure of globalisation needs to at least refer to the underlying economic issues.

  24. YepIsaidit says:

    The man on stage was very emotional after her speech. Sergio’s family was there and presented her with flowers at the end- his sons are very good looking men 😋

  25. lollybunny says:

    Great speech, great message, great speaker.

    BUT gonna be superficial here because it looks so off:

    She ‘toxed her eyebrows back up. Look at her pictures for the Cambodia film release and compare the eyebrows to here. They are raised a good half inch up her face from before. I get the feeling she has been doing this a while as her hooded eyes got more hooded over the years.

    • testmilk says:

      Do you know what “hooded eyes,” are? I don’t think you do, because Angelina Jolie has the OPPOSITE of hooded eyes, they are large, wide spaced and round – her upper lids are taut, they aren’t hooded. She’s the most photographed woman in the world, how do you get this wrong? Just google. So weird.

    • testmilk says:

      Nice try, but in the pictures up top her brow is moving and different in both photos.
      In one she’s raising an eyebrow, in the seated pic they are lowered – please look up what immobile means.

  26. Sara says:

    Do you think she has help writing this stuff? That was so well said and eloquently put from start to finish. She is so right all of it. As I told someone recently, Trump is Biff from Back to the Future part 2 where he takes over that town/city and the whole place looks destroyed. That’s what I picture every time I see Trump take away another environmental protection. It is heart breaking to see this going on in my country.

  27. bogos says:

    So self-possessed, serene and filled with purpose and intelligence. Really remarkable.

  28. Raisa kirks says:

    I adore her. She doesn’t fake it. Go, Angie

  29. Felicia says:

    I know her heart is in the right place, but she’s talking about the symptoms and not the cause. As do pretty much 100% of the political class.

    The massive number of refugees didn’t come out nowhere. Going into Iraq under false pretenses was deliberate. Funding “moderate rebels” in Syria to overthrow the government was deliberate. Funding the various “Arab Spring” so-called revolutions was deliberate. Backing a Neo-Nazi party in the Ukraine and overthrowing the government was deliberate. Conflicts create refugees, it’s not rocket science. And Trump with his “Muslim ban”, I’m not even going to go there. Colin Powell notably said “you break it, you own it”. Trump’s vision is “oh well, we broke it but let’s just declare bankruptcy so that we don’t have to take any responsibility and if any of those who you owe show up at your door, let’s just have them arrested and kicked out”.

    It drives me crazy to hear anyone…be it Trump, any one of the European politicians or celebrities deploring the results of whatever their own country put into action without ever acknowledging what precipitated those results in the first place. Maybe they should have thought about the potential downsides before bombing the sh1t out of the places and putting people in the position of needing to flee for their lives.

    • Sara says:

      Yes! You are so right! I can’t believe people want to blame refugees when their country is being bombed to bits!!! What the hell are they supposed to do??? I ask to all the people that support Trump, what the hell would you do if your city was about to be bombed to bits? Stick around? Americans that voted for Trump are so incapable of seeing reasons behind problems. Its like they think the problem appeared out of nowhere with no cause for it! Selfish for sure! I am American just for the record.

      • Felicia says:

        It’s the same thing in Europe with the rise of the ultra Right Wing parties, only Europe has a much bigger problem with the flood of refugees. It’s much easier to get there from these countries than it is to the US.

  30. Mai says:

    Strong woman.. The love for her kids and the joy in serving others for years and still make a stand for the citizen in crisis, trying to alievate the worst condition even if not always achievable but trying and standing up is admirable and remarkable than those who say they do help just to give themselves a better promotion.. Angie just take care if yourself and who cares if you done something to enhance your beauty, you deserve everything good