Human Dignity Can’t Be Conquered — Nelson Mandela

The children must, at last, play in the open veld, no longer tortured by the pangs of hunger or ravaged by disease or threatened with the scourge of ignorance, molestation and abuse, and no longer required to engage in deeds whose gravity exceeds the demands of their tender years.

Nelson Mandela

Twenty years ago Nelson Mandela walked free.

I am fortunate – I bear small witness and participated in free South Africa and anti-apartheid activities in the United States. I understood the power of Winnie Mandela; read Dennis Brutus; and, held the common ground with many activists. I identified with Stephen Biko and the dead children who stood their ground – they were young people committed to what was right.

I was schooled in the ANC and admired Nelson Mandela. No doubt – he was a baller; the undisputed newsmaker on the planet; a global game-changer. Mandela is a hero – smart, cool, unflinching in his commitment, strong. He laid down the truth (again) – that South Africa and the world could not move forward so long as people were not free. While he was in a cell – 27 years – he was on his game, and I listened: racism and violence were the wrong approaches for civilization. A hero who taught me much about human dignity and when to admit my wrongs.

Twenty years ago, I cried when Mandela was released. I was joyful and hopeful. It was one of those moments that I thought I would never bear witness to – the fall of the Berlin Wall; the election of a Black president in America. Apartheid was in its last days. A real people’s movement saved us and saved themselves. Peace and reconciliation was on the way in South Africa and would be a model for the world.

I still think your nobel lecture captured an authentic spirit of triumph, fire, respect, and compassion.  A meaningful anniversary to you Mr. Mandela.

Who is our Nelson Mandela today?