For all of those who know me, I am the son of a teacher from a family of teachers. Please if you notice anything wrong about my grammar or punctuation, let me know before Mummy sees it.
THE LIGHT HAS NOT GONE OUT….Last week, Nelson Mandela lost his fight against the ravages of old age, we are led to believe. The truth is that he did not lose a fight, he went “the way of all flesh” as is described in the Bible. It was expected. Like most of us at the end any long period of work, he is now resting from all his labours, after his journey, in his own words, “The Long Walk to Freedom”. So it is with interest that I have been observing that his most vociferous critics are from the self-proclaimed Land of the Brave and Free.
I grew up in Ghana observing America, “Yankee” as at the forefront of forward thinking at all times. I read the story of the American Independence as they fought the British to establish self-rule. I spent hours in the USIS Library, learning the American way. I read of how Benjamin Franklin stood in front of the British Parliament to demand that "The Colonies raised, clothed, and paid, during the last war, near twenty-five thousand men, and spent many millions”, and because of that, wanted America to be freed. I once loved the words of Patrick Henry, a man who decided that he was fed up of being governed by a power that had no legitimacy "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me Liberty, or give me Death!" These words in the face of the reticence of the British to lose their hold on a cash cow, led to the American War of Independence.
So a young man who had studied Law saw that his people, who were being ruled by an imperialist force, introducing discriminatory laws, (Whites Only, European Only). He tried talking for so long but in the end renounced peaceful negotiations in favour of force against the ruling powers. The story of Nelson Mandela will be told over and over again. I am just angered by the ignorance of some in America (and other parts of the world) when they call Mandela a terrorist, as if it defined his entire life and works.
Two men who started the long walk of non-violent protest were Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. They influenced generations with their attitude and teaching until they were shot and killed by ignorant people. Nelson Mandela went down the route of peaceful, non-violent protest but changed his mind chose a path that eventually landed him in prison. He was eventually freed and using the basis of democracy, the ballot box, (a concept that America seems to misunderstand since they assume that is has to be ratified in the courts, much to the amusement of the rest of the world), Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa. It is interesting that this violent “Terrorist”, then preached that there would be resolution by the Peace and Reconciliation movement. So instead of punishment, people had to come to terms with their actions by self-condemnation. Goodness knows that Mandela had 27 years in prison to consider his actions.
So why does the Tea Party element castigate Ted Cruz for his Facebook comments? Could it be that (some of) America is wondering what might have happened if Martin Luther King had not been assassinated? Perhaps a Black American President in the 80s rather than in the 21st Century? If slavery had ended as a result of strong Black leaders like Mandela and King leading in failed negotiations which ended in violence, would they have been considered terrorists? If Black America had created their own state in Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, would it have been a terrorist state? I am glad that Mandela blazed a trail through South Africa. I am pleased that he stunned African leaders by declaring that he was not going to be life president by rigging elections. I am pleased that he took the last few years of his life lighting up the world with his presence. I am glad that he is inspirational for people all over the world today.
However, perhaps, people should see his life as a lesson, not just an example. Rather than condemn him outright, what about applauding what he did right? Instead of blindly following the thoughts and declarations of Reagan and Thatcher who wanted to send Mandela to Guantanamo (would have if they could) – should we not think for ourselves? I remember one of his quotes; “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” He knew he was not a saint, who are we to judge? Yet that man has made a positive difference in the thinking of a nation, which is more than I can say for Tea Party critics. That should be our inspiration. As individuals, we should aim to implement change in the world around us by reconciliation, with individuals, with ideas, rather than condemnation of those who are brave enough to try.
BUS JOURNEYS
I love bus journeys. As I sit on that top deck on travels to and from work, I discover something new every single day. The building of the new riverside apartment blocks. A particular woman who always kisses her son good bye on the bus. The same woman on the way back home. Cyclists furiously peddling between cars in traffic. People pouring out of train stations, intent on getting to their destinations on time to justify the payments into their bank accounts. The individuals at a particular bus-stop who have started their journey of discovery through alcohol as they seemingly peep through the slot at the drink which is about to be poured down their gullet. The surly looking taxi-drivers, authoritatively edging their way in front of buses in the lanes. Children discussing the events of the day to come as they chuckle, titter, giggle, gossip. Joggers, working hard on their craft to prolong their lives through sweaty effort. Aeroplanes in the sky over the city which makes me wonder where all these people are travelling from – and whether they can see the bus I am on. The numerous mobile calls I have to listen to – nay – endure in different languages.
But that only emphasizes my point that I love bus journeys.
BEAUTY AND FAVOUR
I have always thought that beauty and favour go together. If you have beauty, then you are more likely to be favoured, right? Not according to the definition of the word favour. Favour by its very definition is unmerited, so if you favour anybody beautiful or anything of beauty, then you have seen a merit that you like and “rewarded” that merit. It brings me to the point of Esther, the Queen. It says in Esther 2:17 that, “she obtained grace and favour in his (the king) sight more than all the virgins”, also “And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.” So that tells me that there was a level-playing ground. There were other “fair young virgins” from all over the kingdom. God granted Esther favour before all, both men and women. I want to have that kind of grace and favour that will be because of God in my life, not based on my good looks (?) or my charm. This has been my prayer daily that as I walk out into work, with the people I meet and deal with on a daily basis.
RECORD I RECOMMEND
If you have heard the Gospel According to Jazz series, then I would encourage you to listen to “I Claim the Victory” by Doc Powell.
PS I shaved. No mo' vember.
