Nelson Mandela

             Over the last several weeks we have been learning about the atrocities of the Nazis. The actions done by the Nazis represent human behavior at its worst. The recent passing of Nelson Mandela reminds us of human behavior at its best. Mandela fought for the rights of black South Africans during the Apartheid, against the oppressive South African government. Who segregated blacks and whites and limited the rights of blacks. Mandela was part of the ANC(African National Congress) and set up a militant group within the ANC. In 1962 Mandela was sentenced to life in prison for treason and conspiracy against the state. He was imprisoned for 27 years. During his prison sentence, he became one of the world's most famous political prisoners. When he was released, he and the ANC negotiated with then President Klerk, to abolish Apartheid and establish multiracial elections. They succeeded and Mandela became the first black President of South Africa. Mandela wanted peace and unity between blacks and whites. He urged blacks to forgive and reconcile with whites. He also wanted whites to feel that, they too, had a place in the new South Africa. To me Mandela represented peace, courage, and forgiveness.

Sources: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1993/mandela-facts.html

                 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela