Nelson Mandela: From Prisoner to President
“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live in harmony with equal opportunities” (“Nelson Mandela.” Bio). These are my immortal words that perfectly outline the purpose and struggles of my life. A flourishing society must equally represent all of its people, who in turn, must treat each other with respect and care. This is my reasoning for fighting for the rights of the African American people, the large majority of the South African population, who had been tyrannically ruled for centuries. If there is one value that I can enlighten society on, it would be to appreciate each other and to live in harmony. All members of society, regardless of color or …show more content…
Primarily, education received and experienced in a college environment is necessary for a successful professional career. I went to the Wesleyan Mission School in South Africa when I was under the guardianship of Regent Jogintaba (“Nelson Mandela.” NelsonMandela.com). At this school I was given my English name, Nelson, by a teacher who did not care to pronounce my African name (“Nelson Mandela.” NelsonMandela.com). This along with the ridicule of other students drove my passion to become a successful and well respected lawyer, showing that sometimes ridicule can be the driving force to success (“Nelson Mandela.” Bio). After my equivalent of an American high school education, I went on to attend the most prestigious school for African-Americans in South Africa (“Nelson Mandela.” Bio). At Fort Hare University, I joined the Student Representative Council, however, I decided to resign my position in order to help protest along with the students (“Nelson Mandela.” Bio). I joined students who were boycotting the ineffective school in order to provide better food for the student body; eventually the dean would expel me for this (“Nelson Mandela.” Bio). As this was one of my initial experiences of protest, I observed much and was inspired. I learned how one must protest for their rights if they want change. I also broadened my amount of …show more content…
Additionally, a democratic government is the only way to have completely equal members of society after the prejudice Apartheid system. “The ultimate goal of Apartheid was to maintain white supremacy by completely separating all of South Africa’s racial groups – black from white, black from colored, and colored from Indian and black, but also Xhosas from Zulu and other blacks, and even Afrikaans – speaking whites from English speaking whites” (Hoobler). The old government of South Africa repressed all of the people it controlled, and made whites seem like the superior race. No longer would the people of South Africa and I allow a third party to segregate us for reasons that are literally skin deep. For instance, I always said, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities” (Charles). There were times in my life that I believed this was impossible or that it would never work in South Africa. However, every time I saw someone oppressed or treated differently for a superficial reason like race, I knew it was my duty to change the country. If one truly wants to have a government of the people, in which all people are equal, it must be an honest, fair democracy. “In April 1994 the Mandela-led ANC won South Africa’s first election on universal suffrage, and on May 10 [I]
“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live in harmony with equal opportunities” (“Nelson Mandela.” Bio). These are my immortal words that perfectly outline the purpose and struggles of my life. A flourishing society must equally represent all of its people, who in turn, must treat each other with respect and care. This is my reasoning for fighting for the rights of the African American people, the large majority of the South African population, who had been tyrannically ruled for centuries. If there is one value that I can enlighten society on, it would be to appreciate each other and to live in harmony. All members of society, regardless of color or …show more content…
Primarily, education received and experienced in a college environment is necessary for a successful professional career. I went to the Wesleyan Mission School in South Africa when I was under the guardianship of Regent Jogintaba (“Nelson Mandela.” NelsonMandela.com). At this school I was given my English name, Nelson, by a teacher who did not care to pronounce my African name (“Nelson Mandela.” NelsonMandela.com). This along with the ridicule of other students drove my passion to become a successful and well respected lawyer, showing that sometimes ridicule can be the driving force to success (“Nelson Mandela.” Bio). After my equivalent of an American high school education, I went on to attend the most prestigious school for African-Americans in South Africa (“Nelson Mandela.” Bio). At Fort Hare University, I joined the Student Representative Council, however, I decided to resign my position in order to help protest along with the students (“Nelson Mandela.” Bio). I joined students who were boycotting the ineffective school in order to provide better food for the student body; eventually the dean would expel me for this (“Nelson Mandela.” Bio). As this was one of my initial experiences of protest, I observed much and was inspired. I learned how one must protest for their rights if they want change. I also broadened my amount of …show more content…
Additionally, a democratic government is the only way to have completely equal members of society after the prejudice Apartheid system. “The ultimate goal of Apartheid was to maintain white supremacy by completely separating all of South Africa’s racial groups – black from white, black from colored, and colored from Indian and black, but also Xhosas from Zulu and other blacks, and even Afrikaans – speaking whites from English speaking whites” (Hoobler). The old government of South Africa repressed all of the people it controlled, and made whites seem like the superior race. No longer would the people of South Africa and I allow a third party to segregate us for reasons that are literally skin deep. For instance, I always said, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities” (Charles). There were times in my life that I believed this was impossible or that it would never work in South Africa. However, every time I saw someone oppressed or treated differently for a superficial reason like race, I knew it was my duty to change the country. If one truly wants to have a government of the people, in which all people are equal, it must be an honest, fair democracy. “In April 1994 the Mandela-led ANC won South Africa’s first election on universal suffrage, and on May 10 [I]