The legendary freedom fighter, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and first democratically elected South African president turns 94 in just a few weeks. I recently finished reading his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, and it was an insightful look into the history of apartheid in South Africa as well as the life and mind of a man who inspired millions. This paragraph, taken from the conclusion of the book, is to me an effective summation of Mandela’s philosophy and experience:
“I always knew that deep down in every human heart, there is mercy and generosity. No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Even in the grimmest times in prison, when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.”
May we all have the strength of will, power of optimism, and enduring passion that Nelson Mandela exemplifies as we strive to create positive change in the world.
A New Rhode 