The passing of the great Nelson Mandela resulted in a plethora of coverage from around the world. As I watched the broadcasts and read the newspapers over the past week, I noticed more than a few reporters mention how the world was “mourning” the death of Mandela.
There are a lot of words that can be used to describe the passing of such a great man, but mourning is not one of them. The world is celebrating the life and contributions of Nelson Mandela, who died at the age of 95. To mourn the loss of a man who lived his life in a way that resisted regret and hatred would be unfair to his legacy.
When Mandela’s health began to deteriorate over the past several months, I reflected on the tremendous impact he made not only on South Africa, but also the entire world. As I marveled at the challenges of his early life, the tenacity and steadfast determination he had while locked up on Robben Island, his pursuit of the presidency, his post-political life, and even the deterioration of his health; I realized that Nelson Mandela was the first advocate whose work and subsequent death I’ve actually been able to witness throughout my life. Unlike the greats before him like King, Kennedy, Truth, and Lincoln; I was able to live through the impact of his vast contributions.
Mandela has been the only person of such worldwide influence to live and die within my lifetime. That in itself puts things in perspective and such perspectives can be polar opposites of each other. On one hand, it speaks to the magnitude of his insight and influence; on the other hand it sheds light on the reality of this world’s need to have more people with such passion and depth of character at the forefront of positive change.
So who is our modern-day Mandela? Is it realistic to long for such a person or should we instead be concerned with our respective nations and the people who can institute positive change for America, Africa, Europe and so on?
To be honest, I’m not really sure I have an answer to the questions above – all I want is a better world. Seems like a lofty desire with tangible solutions offered to make it a reality, doesn’t it? Well, let me take a stab at it. Perhaps the simplest way to make the world a better place is for the occupants of the planet on which we exist to individually strive to be better people. After all, when a lot of small things add up, the sum can be astronomical. I’m not sure Mandela initially sought to change the world; instead he was probably more determined to do what he could to make his environment a better place.
It is so easy for us to shake off responsibility – especially if that responsibility bears a heavy load or requires extreme effort on our individual part. It is oftentimes easy for us not to be “that person” who institutes change.
As a matter of fact, there are countless people who don’t want to be “that person” who stands up for the disenfranchised, who don’t want to be “that person” who fights for fairness, who don’t want to be “that person” who carries the torch, or who don’t want to be “that person” who inconveniences themselves for others.
But what if we all strived to become “that person”? What if we thought beyond ourselves and incorporated a way of living that would be for the greater good of people beyond ourselves? I imagine if we lived such an existence, despite the loftiness of the goal, the world really would be a better place.
Mandela once said, “It all seems impossible until it’s done.” We just need to do it…we need to become “that person” who does it. If Mandela could become “that person” who literally sacrificed 27 years of his life while a prisoner for the greater good of South Africans, surely we, who are privileged enough to be free, can sacrifice a small portion of our time and effort toward enhancing the lives of our fellow man.
I end this editorial with another quote from the magnificent Mandela: “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.”
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
