There are a few names associated with various civil rights movements across the globe that stand out above the others. These names are not only known for their contributions for gaining equality and acceptance of social groups in their countries, but also influencing the views on the oppressed on a worldwide level, and gaining respect for them. Those people are responsible for the paradigm shifts that make modern society so accepting, and bring us closer to an ideal civilization every day. Among others who we have to thank for bringing us to this level, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela sacrificed the most to bring equality and understanding in his country through nonviolent political efforts, desperate acts
…show more content…
The first incident leading to such a decision began with interior conflicts within the ANC itself, regarding its continuing policy of nonviolence; Mandela and several other activists “split” from the ANC to form the militant Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) faction. In the wake of these events, the oppressive South African government began enforcing their terms with more vigor, as is evident with the Sharpeville massacre, where 69 peaceful black protesters were killed. The future president of the apartheid-free South Africa justified his motives for doing so with the following statement: “[I]t would be wrong and unrealistic for African leaders to continue preaching peace and nonviolence at a time when the government met our peaceful demands with force. It was only when all else had failed, when all channels of peaceful protest had been barred to us, that the decision was made to embark on violent forms of political struggle.” With the banning of the ANC and PAC by the apartheid government, efficient organization of desegregation movements was compromised. The increasingly desperate situation led to the formation of conspiracy plots against the government. Mandela, who was actively aiding in the progression of “terrorist” plots against the apartheid …show more content…
In his 27 years of imprisonment, Mandela continued his fight for the disintegration of the apartheid government, through the education of his fellow prisoners and other extraneous measures. The conditions at his prison were extremely dire, where prisoners were subjected to atrocious punishments, such as being buried from the neck down in the ground and being urinated on by the prison guards. Mandela encouraged the other inmates to vent out this frustration through nonviolent resistance, which was akin to the movements against apartheid. Word of his continuing perseverance against all encounters with apartheid authority were rampant among the oppressed South African population, and made sure that the anti-apartheid movement didn’t die out in the physical absence of its greatest activist. Along with these small examples of resistance, Mandela increased his validity and his knowledge as the movement’s leader by earning a bachelor’s of law degree from the University of London. It became apparent that simply having Nelson Mandela put behind bars and subjected to barbaric treatment wouldn’t stop his participation in the anti-apartheid movement in whatever way possible, no matter how (in)significant the effect
The first incident leading to such a decision began with interior conflicts within the ANC itself, regarding its continuing policy of nonviolence; Mandela and several other activists “split” from the ANC to form the militant Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) faction. In the wake of these events, the oppressive South African government began enforcing their terms with more vigor, as is evident with the Sharpeville massacre, where 69 peaceful black protesters were killed. The future president of the apartheid-free South Africa justified his motives for doing so with the following statement: “[I]t would be wrong and unrealistic for African leaders to continue preaching peace and nonviolence at a time when the government met our peaceful demands with force. It was only when all else had failed, when all channels of peaceful protest had been barred to us, that the decision was made to embark on violent forms of political struggle.” With the banning of the ANC and PAC by the apartheid government, efficient organization of desegregation movements was compromised. The increasingly desperate situation led to the formation of conspiracy plots against the government. Mandela, who was actively aiding in the progression of “terrorist” plots against the apartheid …show more content…
In his 27 years of imprisonment, Mandela continued his fight for the disintegration of the apartheid government, through the education of his fellow prisoners and other extraneous measures. The conditions at his prison were extremely dire, where prisoners were subjected to atrocious punishments, such as being buried from the neck down in the ground and being urinated on by the prison guards. Mandela encouraged the other inmates to vent out this frustration through nonviolent resistance, which was akin to the movements against apartheid. Word of his continuing perseverance against all encounters with apartheid authority were rampant among the oppressed South African population, and made sure that the anti-apartheid movement didn’t die out in the physical absence of its greatest activist. Along with these small examples of resistance, Mandela increased his validity and his knowledge as the movement’s leader by earning a bachelor’s of law degree from the University of London. It became apparent that simply having Nelson Mandela put behind bars and subjected to barbaric treatment wouldn’t stop his participation in the anti-apartheid movement in whatever way possible, no matter how (in)significant the effect