As
we celebrate his life and mourn his passing, let us remember the movement that
gave freedom to him and the people of South Africa. The international
solidarity movement which was led by regular Americans and people of goodwill
around the world, and buttressed by the governments of Russia and Cuba, our
so-called enemies, deserve our recognition.
Let us remember that the U.S. government, which claims to be "the greatest force for good the world has ever known," maintained relations with that white racist government and supported apartheid until the 1990's. Nelson Mandela was even designated a terrorist and placed on the U.S. terrorism watch list.
Let us remember that the CIA infiltrated the ANC and in 1962 informed the brutal South African security officials that Mandela would be leaving a dinner party disguised as a chauffeur. He was arrested at a checkpoint and spent the next 27 years in prison on the notorious Robben Island.
Let us remember that even the American government that views itself as exceptional, with political and civic cultures that has no counterparts anywhere else can be on the wrong side of history. Rest in peace Madiba!
By Wyfred Russell
QUOTES FROM NELSON MANDELA
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."
"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart."
"It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership."
"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner." Nelson Mandela
"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." Nelson Mandela
"It always seems impossible until its done." Nelson Mandela "After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." Nelson Mandela
"There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires." Nelson Mandela
"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." Nelson Mandela
"Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another." Nelson Mandela
"I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man." Nelson Mandela
"If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers." Nelson Mandela "
A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed." Nelson Mandela
"Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will." Nelson Mandela "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." Nelson Mandela
"Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?" Nelson Mandela
"Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all." Nelson Mandela "I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself." Nelson Mandela
"Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement." Nelson Mandela "If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness."
