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!