The Centennial of the Symbol of Nelson Mandela

It was on July 18, 1918, when Nelson Mandela was born.  100 years later, he is widely recognized as a leading figure in the struggle for greater equality and freedom in South Africa for all people, and a symbol for the struggle for justice for all.

I first became aware of the Apartheid period in South Africa when I read a book on that country from the library later on in elementary school.  In 6th grade, we studied South Africa as part of Arts and Culture class.  Being aware of what happened with Jim Crow in the United States, I was able to see the same struggle against injustice in a different country.

It's incredible to think of the stature Nelson Mandela gained from being a political prisoner because he was part of something much larger than himself.  Indeed, while the government could imprison a freedom fighter, it could not imprison freedom itself, and Nelson came to embody that struggle for freedom.

And the work he did gives us much inspiration to continue striving in the task at hand for us, which former President Barack Obama laid out in this speech as the primary speaker of the 2018 Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture.  It's pretty notable that the first African-American president of the United States was invited--or perhaps as Mr. Obama put it, strongly persuaded--to give a lecture in honor of the first black African to serve as South Africa's president.

He talked about doing more to give to help others in the midst of a capitalist system that locks up much in the world's wealth in the hands of a few, and to engage in meaningful dialogue, as the current sociopolitical environment has led to toxic divisiveness.  He further called for better relations since the people of the world are becoming so interconnected in many aspects.  And he expressed great hope in the energy young people have, and encouraged them to get going with the work.

Indeed, may we draw energy from a symbol like Nelson Mandela and press forth in the long walk to freedom, not only in having the laws that allow us to be free, but to take hold of the responsibility that freedom entails to make a better world for all, living righteously before the God Who desires for us to be free.