Nelson Mandela: A Tribute

http://www.thechiefly.com/culture/nelson-mandela-tribute/

When I heard the news the Nelson Mandela passed away, I cried.

I’m sure I was not the only one.

To many, Nelson Rolihiahla Mandela represented hope to a light at the end of the tunnel. Whether we were feeling down or forgotten, we always turned to the words of Nelson Roihiahla Mandela for hope for a better future. After all, this was a man that spent twenty-seven years in prison fighting for what he believed in.

Part of the reason why Mandela’s passing was such a blow to so many is because there are not a lot of voices today that preach love and understanding the way Mandela did. His words resonates the very meaning of hope in an increasingly hopeless world. We do not have the voices that comfort us in our time of struggle and strife that our parents and grandparents seemed to have in the past.

Does the Rev. Al Sharpton preach on love and understanding? Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

Does Jesse Jackson comfort us in our time of struggle and strife? Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

What Nelson Rolihlaha Mandela meant to the world goes far beyond words. He taught us to fight for what we believe in while at the same time respecting and having compassion for one another. That is why the news of Mandela’s passing hit so many, including myself, so hard. Many lives have been built around his teachings, and to lose such an iconic and wonderful influence is devastating.

In order for the world to continue to develop into a better place, we must all go back and value to words that Nelson Mandela bestowed unto the world. We must restore the values and compassion for humanity. We must restore the passion and the will to fight for what is right and stand up against injustices no matter how small. This is why Nelson Mandela spent twenty-seven years behind bars. So the future generation could carry on his legacy.

Nelson Mandela’s legacy will always live on through me.

His legacy will always live on in all of us.

“Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.”

Rest in peace Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

Kareem Gantt

Kareem Gantt

Reporter and columnist
Kareem Gantt is a writer and blogger who is best known for his political and social commentary. A writer for Hubpages.com for a little over a year, he has written on subjects ranging from politics to travel. In his short time with Hubpages, he was garnered a slew of accolades for his writing and won a “Hub Nugget” award for his commentary on gay rights. In his spare time, he likes to listen to music, try new foods and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Kareem Gantt
Kareem Gantt
Kareem Gantt

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