The common aspect of a hero has been around since the beginning of man. As a society we view a hero as a simple vision of a human figure who demonstrates rare and heroic qualities and is thought of as a model or an idol. Each individual has someone who they admire or look up to. Whether it be an athlete, singer, actor or a famous historical figure each person has a hero. Nelson Mandela, the world-famous civil rights leader of South Africa is an incredible example of someone who puts others before himself and is not only a hero; but an international icon. Mandela most certainly placed himself in dangerous and compelling situations thorough the long and enduring process of abolishing the South African Apartheid. Mandela successfully depicts the five traits of the epic hero. On his journey to find peace and prosperity for the Black community of South Africa; Mandela put his own life on the line for what he thought was the right. Mandela exhibited no fear in taking a stand for what he believed to be right and faced whatever consequence the unjust system of law placed before him. Mandela’s outstanding ability to forgive those who treated him wrongly, his astounding self and social-awareness and his infinite determination bestowed him with the power to reach endless measures. Not only did Mandela save himself from the cruel and prejudiced behaviors of the South African Apartheid system; he also inspired millions to take a stand for what you know is right, and because of that, he is a hero.
Forgiveness can be defined as the action of forgiving someone who has done something wrong of inmoral to you but you chosing to accept what they have done and not hold it against them. Forgivness simply lies in the heart of the individual who choo...
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...uth Africa, Frederik Willem de Klerk.
Nelson Mandela embodies forgiveness, self and social-awareness and determination which specifies he is a clear example of a modern-day hero. Mandela depicts forgiving behaviors thorough his battle against the South African Apartheid. As Mandela gracefully forgave those who locked him away for twenty-seven years; He became to recognize the vitality of self and social-awareness. Not only did he practice the importance of coping with his own emotions and feelings but also those of the people around him. Each action Mandela made derived from one compelling force; a flame that for many would have died out long before he ever stopped. That single driving force was Mandela’s determination. Facing adversity is never easy; however Mandela’s triumphing attitude and behaviors granted him the ability to liberate the blacks of South Africa.
The following three individuals fought for the same causes, ending apartheid and turning the attention of the world towards ending racial exclusion. Nelson Mandela was an activist for civil rights for the people of Africa. When Nelson Mandela was 13 years old he could see that he was not free. That the freedom that his youth provided him was an illusion. When Nelson Mandela was 23 years old he began to realize that it was not only he that was denied his freedom, but his friends, his family, and everybody who has the same color of skin that he has. “But then I slowly saw that not only was I not free, but my brothers and sisters were not free. I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed, but
Forgiveness is a process. You can still feel the pain, see the events behind your eyes, and feel the loss of the people around you but you have to find a way to forgive. People think that if you forgive someone you are forgetting or saying hey I would hang out with this person now because we’re cool but thats not at all what forgiveness is. Forgiveness is righting the wrong for yourself because you want the injustice you feel to leave. It’s acknowledging to that there a wrong that was done to you and you decide how you want to think about it not anyone
With the recent death of Nelson Mandela a wave of sadness struck the districts. It seemed that not only a man had died but a way of life. For Nelson Mandela was not only a great leader. He was a seemingly god-like figure, capable of doing the right thing despite hatred or his own feelings. He did not look back on the shortcomings of his allies or frown at his captors, rather he learned from his mistakes and the suffering of jail and used the pain that this had brought him in order to do even better things.
Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feeling and attitude regarding an offense; let’s go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender. Walter (1984) stated that forgiveness is a voluntary process that usually requires courage and multiple acts of the will to complete. In Walters' view, the person who has been hurt has two alternatives: to be destroyed by resentment which leads to death, or to forgive which leads to healing and life. Sonja Lyubomirsky calls forgiveness is a natural resolution of the grief process, which is the necessary acknowledgment of pain and loss. It is a powerful choice that can lead to greater well being and better relationships.
Nelson Mandela: The Art of Civil Disobedience Have you ever wondered what it was like to make a difference and even change something in your country? How would you feel if you were considered a hero by your people? Civil disobedience is a form of protest that uses a law to show that it is not needed. The protestors intentionally violate a law that they are protesting against (Suber). For example, Rosa Parks used civil disobedience by sitting at the front of the bus because she believed that all people are the same and deserved equal rights.
As a result, Mandela became a person of interest and was hunted by the government. He was arrested in 1962 when the government raided an ANC establishment in Johannesburg. According to the BBC (2014), Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment on account of treason, leaving the country illegally, and sabotage of government property. He was imprisoned for 27 years at Robben Island and Pollsmoor Prison, before being released from Prison on 11th February, 1990, according to Blair & Freeman (2013). His release coincided with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Consequently the ruling government of FW de Clerk established talks with the ANC regarding the formation of a new constitution and the provision of a multi-racial election. Mandela and the ANC won 63% of the vote, resulting in his inauguration as the first black president of South Africa on 10th May, 1994.
Activist, lawyer, father, prisoner, survivor, president, the face of equality. Nelson Mandela has an inspiring story of fighting Apartheid forces and surviving a long prison sentence all in the name of freedom and equal rights. Through Nelson Mandela’s constant fight for freedom of the African people from white apartheid forces, he was dominated by the corrupt government. After uprising numerous riots against apartheid forces, Mandela was sent to jail for twenty-seven years revealing the cruelty that humans can possess. With the strong will power and complete support of the African people, Mandela survived his prison sentence and became the first democratically elected president of South Africa exposing the strength in human nature by showing that humans can persevere through tough times. Mandela left a profound impact on the African people by saving them from corrupt Apartheid rule and bringing a democratic government. Thus teaching the world that in an event where a body of people is suppressed, they will inevitably rebel by any means necessary to gain their freedom.
Nelson Mandela in his book, Long Walk to Freedom argues through the first five parts that a black individual must deal, coop, and grow through a society that is hindering their lives' with apartheid and suppression of their rightful land. Rolihlanla Mphakanyiswa or clan name, Madiba was born on July 18, 1918 in a simple village of Mvezo, which was not accustomed to the happenings of South Africa as a whole. His father was an respected man who led a good life, but lost it because of a dispute with the magistrate. While, his mother was a hard-working woman full of daily choirs. His childhood was full of playing games with fellow children and having fun. In school, Mandela was given his English name of Nelson. After his father's death, he moved to love with a regent, who was a well-off individual and owed Nelson's father for a previous favor. The next several years were full of schooling for Nelson. These schools opened Nelson's eyes to many things, which we will discuss later. He and the regent's son, Justice decided to travel to Johannesburg and see what work they could find. They left on their journey without the regent's permission, but eventually escaped his power and settled down in the town. In Johannesburg, Nelson settled down in a law firm as an assistant and went to University of South Africa and Witwatersrand University to further his law education. Witswatersrand University brought many new ideas to Nelson and awakened a spirit inside of him.
Nelson Mandela taught us that the humanity all of us share can help us transcend the sins some of us commit. There is no better example of the transformative power of tolerance and reconciliation than Nelson Mandela and his inspiring work in overthrowing the apartheid government in South Africa. He understood the power of words to change minds and the power of peaceful deeds to open hearts. His life reminds us that justice and tolerance can overcome even the greatest cruelty. Nelson Mandela faced one of the greatest evils of our time.
“The time comes in the life of any nation when there remain only two choices: submit or fight” (“Nelson Mandela”). Nelson Mandela took the chance and fought for his rights and freedom. Mandela has gone through many troubles in his life since the day he was born. A young man that had no shoes till he approached the age of sixteen, and then transformed into a great political leader of his country. Mandela’s life is an impressing story to be told!
Was Nelson Mandela considered a hero to South Africa? He displays his heroic characteristics as being very wise, a brave leader and highly respected and loved nationally. People think of Nelson Mandela as the South African version of Martin Luther King Jr. This is correct. He is known for bringing peace to South Africa, which was racially segregated and believed in participating in human rights globally. No one was ever as brave and confident as Nelson Mandela was. It is not easy changing a world for the better without the chaos and difficulties, but Mr. Mandela did it because of his strong belief in his country, which was a slowly degrading country at the time.
Acts of heroism done by heroes demonstrates leadership and to make our society a better place. For instance, Mohandas K. Gandhi helped gain freedom for the colored without violence but giving speeches. This demonstrates that Gandhi showed heroism because he inspired many of his people to not use violence to solve a conflict and that takes courage. Mohandas Gandhi was the leader of the protest and he sacrificed many things just to get freedom. For this reason Gandhi’s act was heroic because of his selflessness. Another example to illustrate the function of heroism is MLK Jr. He was inspired by the method of non violence from Gandhi. Martin Luther King’s heroic act was similar to Gandhi because he stood up for his people in order to get what was right for all colored in U.S. Furthermore, one of his quote, “ I submit that an individual who breaks that a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice is in reality expressing the highest respect for law” (The Quotations Page). This shows that he was courageous and selfless because he got into jail for doing the right thing and was later assassinated. Giving up someth...
Forgiveness is the act of releasing an offender of any wrong or hurt they may have caused you whether they deserve it or not. It is a decision to let go of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group of people. When we choose to forgive, we’re wiping the slate clean, cancelling a debt, or as I love to say, “Letting it go.” In the Bible, the Greek word for forgiveness literally means to “let it go.” This concept, “forgiveness,” is easier said than done. Majority of people find it very difficult to let go of offenses and hurts caused by others. I really do believe that most people desire to let it go, but we lack the knowledge of how to do it. As believers, we are instructed by God maintain an attitude of forgiveness.
Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” The importance of an education is repeatedly shown through past and present events. Those who can’t afford an education do whatever it takes to try and learn. They know that it will lead to a better future for them. An education will not only lead to a job with more money, but it will also expand people’s minds. They will be able to create new ideas and inventions. The best way for us to change the world is through educating our youth. With a better education, they can become inspired to invent new things. Some could grow up to find cures to diseases. Educating the youth is the key to changing the world. The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow. The best way for us to give a good education to our youth is by refining our school system. We need to redefine the term ‘education.’ Teachers in classrooms change the world because they are teaching the future generation that will one day lead. If we want to change the world for the better, educating the youth is th...
Forgiveness is all about finding what was lost and restoring the wholeness that one once had. Forgiveness does not mean we should condone evil or wrong doing that we experienced in our lives.