"Better still - your history has shown how powerful a moral catharsis expressed through popular resistance to injustice can sometimes be; I have in mind the grassroots opposition to the Vietnam War"

Breyten Breytenbach's quote highlights the potent force of collective moral action as demonstrated through grassroots movements, particularly using the example of the opposition to the Vietnam War. Breytenbach suggests an unique power in "ethical catharsis" that emerges when individuals, driven by shared ethical considerations, come together to withstand perceived oppressions. This type of collective action serves not only as a form of demonstration but likewise as a cleaning or cleansing procedure for society, where people face and look for to correct moral wrongs.

The recommendation to the Vietnam War highlights a pivotal moment in history when public dissent significantly affected political decisions. The anti-war motion was defined by prevalent protests, demonstrations, and acts of civil disobedience, joining people throughout varied backgrounds and beliefs under a typical cause. This mass mobilization of residents assisted sustain public discourse, challenging governmental policies and eventually playing a role in the United States' decision to withdraw from Vietnam. Breytenbach implies that the power of such movements depends on their roots in genuine moral concerns, which resonate deeply with the broader public awareness and have the potential to effect genuine modification.

Furthermore, by using the expression "your history", Breytenbach customizes the message, potentially attending to a particular audience, encouraging them to assess their heritage of activism and prompting them to acknowledge and harness this collective strength in the face of modern oppressions. He recommends that history provides evidence of this power and indicates that similar actions can be used to modern concerns, reinforcing the idea that grassroots motions stay a crucial aspect of democratic expression and ethical accountability. Ultimately, Breytenbach's words serve as both a pointer and a call to action, promoting for the continued significance and requirement of popular resistance in the pursuit of justice.