Nelson Mandela the Struggle Is My Life, Essay Example

It seems it is only human nature to believe that one’s wishes are best achieved through violence.  So many wars have been fought over political values and even basic human rights.  Still, it is questionable as to whether these wars were worth their human sacrifice.  Other leaders have fought successfully for their political agendas through nonviolent means.  One of these men was Nelson Mandela.

In growing to adulthood in the time of the apartheid, Mandela understood the need for equality in South Africa. Mwalimu Ngwane, author of the article “Mandelamaina and After,” said, “Mandela’s vision for South Africa was one of racial equality and racial reconciliation. It was also one of social harmony and equal opportunities…” (Ngwane, 2010). As a black South African, Mandela understood the financial, political and educational turmoil brought on by the apartheid.

At the time of the apartheid, black South Africans were stripped of their rights and were second class while the whites enjoyed first class. Blacks and whites were segregated and whites were treated as superiors and received better education and jobs.

While vehemently against the apartheid, Mandela adhered to a strictly nonviolent means of expressing his disapproval for the current regime. In honor of a life of successful peaceful protest that led to the dismantlement of the apartheid, Mandela was a partial recipient of the 193 Nobel Peace Prize (Mclean, 2010).

Martin Luther King, Jr. fought against a similar system in America. Writer Ronald Mellado Miller stated “Martin Luther King, Jr. – today the name recalls a spiritual colossus who parted the red sea of racism and hatred single-handedly, humbled America” (Miller, 2009).

Mandela spent a large part of his life in prison for his cause. However, in the end, both he was rewarded with success.  Mandela eventually became president of the post-apartheid South Africa for which he so ardently fought. Even though Mandela lived a trying life, filled with angst and tumultuous relationships, He changed the world for the better and brought equality to South Africa and Inspiration to the world.

References

Mclean, Alison (Feb. 2010) “20 Years Ago.” Smithsonian. 20. Academic OneFile. Web. 10 May 2010.

Miller, Ronald Mellado (2009). “Becoming King: Martin Lather King Jr. and the Making of a National Leader.” The Western Journal of Black Studies 33.3: 228+. Academic OneFile. Web. 10 May 2010.

Ngwane, Mwalimu George (Mar. 2010). “Mandelamania and After.” New African. 4 Academic OneFile. Web. 10 May 2010.