Black History Month:Moments In Black 2014 (Nelson Mandela 1918-2013)

Post date: Feb 15, 2014 8:44:56 PM

From the desk of the Editor,

"As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison,"---Nelson Mandela,1990

Karimi,Faith:Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid icon and father of modern South Africa, dies,Retrieved from

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/05/world/africa/nelson-mandela/index.html

From apartheid,to political unrest to the first South African President,Nelson Mandela, a father,a leader, a man of faith, a philanthropist, a Nobel Peace prize and US Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient,his life is a testament of how one person has the power to influence and demand change within a body of people. Imprisoned at a young age,Nelson Mandela chose not to allow the twenty seven years he spent in prison to define him or his life; instead,he chose to learn from the lessons and experiences during the years of his imprisonment and to let those years fuel his fight for the South African people and Apartheid Movement. As a social activist, Nelson Mandela received deference,reverence and veneration regarding his political views and beliefs among the South African people. His voice,his message,his political views resonated throughout South Africa. During his life as a social activist,and political leader, Nelson Mandela fought for the poor,the uneducated and oppressed South African. On the day the news stations began to report and announce the death of Nelson Mandela,I knew that not only had South Africa lost a father,a fighter, and a great leader,they had also lost a pioneer. Days later after the death of Nelson Mandela, I began to recall my years as a middle school student sitting in my World Geography class waiting to present a current event related to the happenings in South Africa. And in all honest,the requirement of my World Geography teacher to present current events in those day,a class require began my education into the history of South Africa. As result of the class requirement,I grew interest in South Africa and the Apartheid movement that mainly stemmed from current events. Throughout the semester, I alternated the currents events I presented to the class_often presenting articles related to Apartheid or Johanesburg South Africa. As the days progress after Nelson Mandela death,I felt the world had lost a father, and leader. From the day,I began to present current events related to South Africa, Nelson Mandela's life work has had an significant impact on the lives millions of young people across the global. Deeply sadden of the lost,I pause with South Africa and the United States to honor as well as recognize the life work of Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013.