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A Poem on Andrew Carnegie's Birthday

26 Nov 2025 · 1 min

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1:23

In a brief on‑camera monologue filmed in Dunfermline, the speaker stands beside the statue of Andrew Carnegie on November 25th, Carnegie’s birthday. Observing that the town offers no public celebration, the speaker explains a personal admiration for Carnegie’s ideas but chooses to avoid quoting him due to his controversial legacy. Instead, the speaker honors the occasion by reciting Robert Burns’ poem “Thou of an Independent Mind,” presenting the poem’s verses as a tribute to independent thought and personal virtue. The piece ends with a simple thank you.

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Behind me is a statue of Andrew Carnegie. Today is November 25th, his birthday, and here in Dunfermline, in his hometown, nobody is celebrating it. As a fan of his ideas and the words he wrote, I wanted to celebrate it, but since everyone considers that a controversial idea, I decided not to share any of Andrew Carnegie's words, but the words of someone who Scottish people actually do consider a hero. His name was Robert Burns. So my favorite Burns poem, Thou of an Independent Mind. With soul resolved and soul resigned, prepared powers proud as frown to brave, who will not be nor have a slave, virtue alone who does revere, thy own reproach alone does fear, approach this shrine and worship here. Thank you.