Parker Daudt Trail #5

Nelson Mandela: Activist, Politician and Revolutionary

On December 5th the world was rocked by the news of Mandelas passing. By the time of his death, Mandela had influenced not just South America but the United States of America, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and countless other nations spanning the globe. As a revolutionary and human rights activist Mandela face countless obstacles during his life. Over the course of his activist career Mandela face nearly 30 years of imprisonment, ended the South African political system of racial segregation, lead the South African government to form a general election system and served at President of South Africa from 1994 until his retirement in 1999. While Mandelas contributions led to an incredibly unanimous positive public opinion from those in South Africa, many political leaders outside of Africa to view him with mixed attitudes. Until 2008 the United States of America dubbed Mandelas political party, the African National congress, as a terrorist group, and Mandelas name remained on the U.S. terrorist watch list. Many politicians viewed his beliefs as Marxist and Communist due to his support of Fidel Castro and South African Communist Party leader Joe Slovo. Despite the criticism, Mandela received more than 250 awards and honors including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Soviet Order of Lenin. Following the news of his death various politicians as well as notable celebrities released statements commending his lifelong accomplishments. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, described Mandela as a man of courage, principle and unquestionable integrity, a great human being Morgan Freeman, who portrayed Mandela in the 2009 film Invictus said As we remember his triumphs, let us, in his memory, not just reflect on how far we've come, but on how far we have to go. Barack Obama announced that I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela's life, I would study his words, his writings. The day he was released from prison gave me sense of what human beings can do when they're guided by their hopes and not by their fears." For now, let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived, a man who took history in his hands, and bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice. Although Nelson Mandelas life has come to an end, his legacy and ideology will continue to live on. Mandela has taught the world the true definition of activism, willing to give up his own life for the principals in which he stood for. He demonstrated the strength of the human spirit, ended racial segregation in South Africa and became the first democratically elected President as well as the first black leader of South Africa. As we remember his legacy we must also remember the principals he stood for: equality, justice, fairness and peace. "A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of." Nelson Mandela