As I sit here about to write a quick blog to mark the passing of the person I admire most in this world I am a bit surprised to find my eyes filling with tears. I guess I should not be surprised but I was not expecting it.
On my home from work tonight I was listening to an incredible show that played exerpts from tapes of Nelson Mandela being interviewed. These interviews were to become the basis for his auto biography. Mandela's auto biography was by far the most inspirational book I have ever read. What inspired me the most about Nelson Mandela was that he never stopped fighting for justice. Even when he was in prison for 27 years he protested against inequality. He would not stand for the most basic wrong - even something like black inmates being given less clothes to wear during cold weather than colored inmates. And of course he fought his war with love and respect the entire time. He respected the humanity even of his oppressors.
Having lived in South Africa for a year, including time in the Transkei - Mandela's homeland, I especially enjoyed listening to the show about his life on the radio tonight. Places discussed were familiar to me. I had met and seen play, African Jazz musicians who were with Mandela before he was imprisoned. I felt at home in that country and it still has a prominent place in my heart.
And Mandela has always been in our lives. When I was born he was already in prison. When I was a kid in the 80's I had an "End Aparteid" sticker on my skateboard. Then he was released. Then he became president. Incredible. It seemed like he would be here forever.
I did not know of Mandela's passing until I opened my computer just now to continue my school work. Now I know why they were playing the show on radio. Obama released a video statement this evening and it seems fitting to let the first black President of my country take it from here in paying respect to the first black president of South Africa.
On my home from work tonight I was listening to an incredible show that played exerpts from tapes of Nelson Mandela being interviewed. These interviews were to become the basis for his auto biography. Mandela's auto biography was by far the most inspirational book I have ever read. What inspired me the most about Nelson Mandela was that he never stopped fighting for justice. Even when he was in prison for 27 years he protested against inequality. He would not stand for the most basic wrong - even something like black inmates being given less clothes to wear during cold weather than colored inmates. And of course he fought his war with love and respect the entire time. He respected the humanity even of his oppressors.
Having lived in South Africa for a year, including time in the Transkei - Mandela's homeland, I especially enjoyed listening to the show about his life on the radio tonight. Places discussed were familiar to me. I had met and seen play, African Jazz musicians who were with Mandela before he was imprisoned. I felt at home in that country and it still has a prominent place in my heart.
And Mandela has always been in our lives. When I was born he was already in prison. When I was a kid in the 80's I had an "End Aparteid" sticker on my skateboard. Then he was released. Then he became president. Incredible. It seemed like he would be here forever.
I did not know of Mandela's passing until I opened my computer just now to continue my school work. Now I know why they were playing the show on radio. Obama released a video statement this evening and it seems fitting to let the first black President of my country take it from here in paying respect to the first black president of South Africa.
1 comment:
Danny,
A nice reflection on a great man and your hero, and the bright light for so many in the world.
Peace,
Mitch
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