Nelson Mandela died yesterday. An icon, a world leader, a inspiration, a man who spent 27 years in prison but then rose above anger and revenge to lead his country into a new day. Apartheid had kept him down as a boy and young man, it caused him to be a revolutionary and led him to violence, which landed him in a prison cell but then he brought about a revolution through quiet and just leadership and overthrew decades of racism and injustice.
Prison could have hardened him, made him vengeful and angry. When released from prison he famously said, “To be free is not just to cast off one’s chains but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedoms of others.” And then he spent the rest of his life showing respect and building up freedom for all.
He said once, “Don’t call me a saint … unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps trying.” Nelson mandela kept trying, trying to bring right out of wrong, trying to make a better life for the citizens of his country, trying to show the world a more excellent way. He was a saint. Good bye Nelson Mandela and thank you – the world is a better place because of you.
