“Madiba”

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Jul. 18, 1918-Nov. 5, 2013 (Madiba)

 We do not grieve of your departure from this world. We celebrate that you shared so much of your soul for so many years. You spoke the language that took a long while for so many to understand. You inspired Martin Luther King to march to your and Gandhi’s mantra, that being; liberty, justice and freedom through non violence.

You reawakened and opened the door to the voice of those who had for so long been subjugated to the dissonance of what is Humankind. Your body was incarcerated as a sacrifice yet your spirit sang out between the iron bars and shackles telling the world of the inequities in your village, your town your country. All began to listen and to dance to your inspirational song. It led to our peaceful marches in the nineteen sixties, thousands of miles, north where oppressors applied the same subjugation and oppression.   

This torch or banner of nonviolent revolution has been carried by courage’s figures throughout the history of our world. In lieu of violence and the synonymity with war, our world has believed that the only option to change or kindler of revolution. The courage’s ones have provided us with another option.  They speak of how the  mind and soul can be incited into action by calling attention to inequities and disparities in the status quo through mass awareness in voice vs the philosophy of violent elimination. This banner has been carried by the likes of Jesus, Gandhi, Sister Theresa, Martin Luther King and now, you. A common link to all of you courage’s figures is that all were commoners when first carrying the banner and not self appointed leaders or elected rulers. After serving humanity then they were given a title by their peers. One more link is, a common notion, an issue that is understood by all, that being; the application of fairness, kindness to all that share in this short lived world of ‘Ours’.

History will note that through your life you carried more than just one banner but for many this one banner will be a personal one and in the forefront. Thank you for carrying this torch and banner for us. Hopefully someday humankind will come to its senses and eradicate the war mentality and its machines. There will be a realization that change can be accomplished through voice and our willingness to listen to that voice. Our short lived resources to develop a more livable world would be better served.   Rest in Peace, mi amigo!