Would you create peace or lower the quality of life if you were Nelson Mandela?
If you were in Mandela’s position and went through everything he did, once in power, would you try to create peace or do the same thing to those who lowered your quality of life?
-Thanks
If I had his power, of course I’d promote life. I’m not really all that inclined towards despotism.
That said, you do need to be aware of the fact that Nelson Mandela was not a saint. The media–and that Invictus movie–are currently portraying him as an advocate for peace and equality, as someone who fought against racism. It’s certainly true that he publicly fought against racism, but he was also a firm believer in the idea that the ends justify the means.
Perhaps you’re aware that Mandela spent nearly thirty years in power before becoming president of South Africa. This is true…but many incorrectly believe he was some sort of political prisoner. He was not. He was sent to prison because he’d been convicted of multiple acts of terrorism. He killed people, many of whom were civilians. When he was arrested, he and those working with him had THOUSANDS of grenades in his possession, and he’d intended to use them. Does this sound like a good man to you? The charges against him weren’t false. They weren’t even hard to prove, and not just because he proudly admitted to them.
Even after he came to power, he publicly condoned violence and praised other terrorists, including Saddam Hussein. He criticized despots like Robert Mugabe, but only because they’d failed to maintain the governments in their control, not because they’d killed thousands to gain their power in the first place.
He did overcome a great deal. He did help end a racist government…but through murder and sabotage. When he retired, the country had become one of the most crime-ridden and dangerous in the world. There is much to admire in Nelson Mandela, but he wasn’t a good man, let alone some sort of political hero.
And yes, I do know. My mother lived through his presidency, through the violence he condoned and often caused, through the murders the press have glossed over in order to make him into some sort of saint. He’s the most loved terrorist in the world right now, but before you buy into the media version of his story, you really do need to look more into his life. Don’t take my word for it, but don’t take the media’s, either.