This is the question I have asked my students to condsider and reflect on over the past few weeks. Courageous, brave, selfless, helpful, and strong were just a few of the responses I received as we began reading literature across time, looking at different heroes throughout our readings. Beowulf, a knight in shining armor, Sir Gawain and the green knight, and King Arthur are a few of the characters we have been and will be reviewing to determine whether or not they fit the definition of a hero. Are these men glorified? Are they on some type of a quest or a journey? Are they ethical? Are they strong?
When we started our unit, I asked my students to write a journal on their own hero. They could write about someone in their lives or choose to write about a current superhero. What makes him or her a hero? What qualities does this person embody that fits the definition of a hero? If the person is real, how has he or she impacted you? Some chose to write about Martin Luther King. Others chose to write about Superman. Still, others wrote about their parents, their aunts and uncles, or their grandparents.
It struck me as coincidental that as we began our new unit on heroes one of the greatest men of all time passed away. On December 5th, 2013, the world lost a wonderful person, an incredible inspiration, the father to a nation, Nelson Mandela. Tata Madiba, Father to South Africa, had been sick for some time. I am surprised he lasted as long as he did, and we are all blessed to have had him around for 95 years.
Here, I write my own journal. Nelson Mandela is a hero. There is no doubt in my mind on that. I won't go into too many details on Mandela's past. If you have read his "A Long Walk to Freedom," you know that Nelson Mandela served 27 years in prison on Robben Island for trying to fight against the Apartheid. The Apartheid, the system of racial segregation in South Africa, led to racism, poverty, and racial inequality across the country. Due to Mandela's opposition to the Apartheid and his attempts to sabotage the Apartheid government, he was arrested. He spent much of his life in a single cell, adorned only with the bare minimum: a place to sleep.
In 1990, Mandela was freed and in 1994, became South Africa's first black president. His efforts focused on reconciliation of the nation. Through sports and collaboration with other powerful individuals, Nelson Mandela was able to succeed in many of his efforts, such as gaining back land for those who had lost theirs during the Apartheid. He was able to bring the country closer together after such an onerous time. He gave hope to a country and to people after such a dark time in South Africa's history.
Does South Africa still have a long way to go? Yes. During my time in South Africa, I was often shocked by the racism I witnessed. I was constantly singled out because of the color of my skin, assumed to have money because I was a "mulungu," a "lekgoa." I was sometimes sickened by the courtesies I received and others didn't because of my white color. I was often saddened by the extreme poverty, the extreme hunger I saw. Young children with distended stomachs because of malnutrition. Pap eaten day after day, meal after meal because of necessity. Families forced to sleep on blankets because there was not enough money for beds. I was often discouraged by the racial inequality in the country. Mansions and RDP houses within mere kilometers of each other.
Despite all of this, it could be much, much worse. Without men like Mandela, South Africa could be years behind where it is today. South Africa has hope because of Mandela. Places like Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban make it apparent that South Africa is headed in the right direction. There is first world in South Africa. Sure, South Africa has a way to go. There is still great economic disparity. But, if it weren't for what Nelson Mandela started in 1994, South Africa would be in a much different, and much worse place than it is today. Thanks to Mandela, South Africa is en route to a place without racism, without poverty, without racial inequality.
This will not happen without hard work. The country owes it to Tata Madiba to continue to work towards his vision of a better and reconciled country. The country needs to embrace differences and embrace the beauty that exists in the truly rainbow nation it is. The country needs to embrace the 11 national languages and cultures rather than let such differences continue to be a divider. The country owes it to Nelson Mandela to let him rest in peace with the knowledge that his children will continue to make South Africa the beautiful country it is.
Is Mandela glorified? Yes. Not only do the people of South Africa love and worship Mandela, but people all around the world recognize his greatness and all he has done. Every year, on his birthday, on July 18th, South Africa celebrates "Mandela Day." My schools always celebrated Mandela Day by doing good deeds for others and teaching what Mandela did for the country. Songs were sung, dances were performed, and plays were created all in honor of Tata Madiba. Mandela was honored for all he did with recognition up to and including the Nobel Peace Prize. Is Mandela or was Mandela on a quest, a journey? Yes. Mandela wanted reconciliation and an end to the Apartheid Regime. He accomplished this and his dream still continues today. Is Mandela ethical? Without a doubt. Mandela could have come out of his time on Robben Island angry and with revenge. He didn't. He was moral and kind. He did all he could for the good of the country. Not just for a certain group of people, but for everyone. For ALL of his children. Is Mandela strong? Mandela proved his strength through a long life full of good deeds and mental strength throughout his 27 years on Robben Island.
Thanks for all you did Tata Madiba. Now, go well. Rest well. Mi famba kahle Tata Madiba.
Le rata,
Meg
Does South Africa still have a long way to go? Yes. During my time in South Africa, I was often shocked by the racism I witnessed. I was constantly singled out because of the color of my skin, assumed to have money because I was a "mulungu," a "lekgoa." I was sometimes sickened by the courtesies I received and others didn't because of my white color. I was often saddened by the extreme poverty, the extreme hunger I saw. Young children with distended stomachs because of malnutrition. Pap eaten day after day, meal after meal because of necessity. Families forced to sleep on blankets because there was not enough money for beds. I was often discouraged by the racial inequality in the country. Mansions and RDP houses within mere kilometers of each other.
Despite all of this, it could be much, much worse. Without men like Mandela, South Africa could be years behind where it is today. South Africa has hope because of Mandela. Places like Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban make it apparent that South Africa is headed in the right direction. There is first world in South Africa. Sure, South Africa has a way to go. There is still great economic disparity. But, if it weren't for what Nelson Mandela started in 1994, South Africa would be in a much different, and much worse place than it is today. Thanks to Mandela, South Africa is en route to a place without racism, without poverty, without racial inequality.
This will not happen without hard work. The country owes it to Tata Madiba to continue to work towards his vision of a better and reconciled country. The country needs to embrace differences and embrace the beauty that exists in the truly rainbow nation it is. The country needs to embrace the 11 national languages and cultures rather than let such differences continue to be a divider. The country owes it to Nelson Mandela to let him rest in peace with the knowledge that his children will continue to make South Africa the beautiful country it is.
Is Mandela glorified? Yes. Not only do the people of South Africa love and worship Mandela, but people all around the world recognize his greatness and all he has done. Every year, on his birthday, on July 18th, South Africa celebrates "Mandela Day." My schools always celebrated Mandela Day by doing good deeds for others and teaching what Mandela did for the country. Songs were sung, dances were performed, and plays were created all in honor of Tata Madiba. Mandela was honored for all he did with recognition up to and including the Nobel Peace Prize. Is Mandela or was Mandela on a quest, a journey? Yes. Mandela wanted reconciliation and an end to the Apartheid Regime. He accomplished this and his dream still continues today. Is Mandela ethical? Without a doubt. Mandela could have come out of his time on Robben Island angry and with revenge. He didn't. He was moral and kind. He did all he could for the good of the country. Not just for a certain group of people, but for everyone. For ALL of his children. Is Mandela strong? Mandela proved his strength through a long life full of good deeds and mental strength throughout his 27 years on Robben Island.
Thanks for all you did Tata Madiba. Now, go well. Rest well. Mi famba kahle Tata Madiba.
Le rata,
Meg
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