happy b-day madiba!

this post is whole-heartedly devoted to Nelson Mandela. he celebrated his 90th birthday on friday and you couldnt turn on the radio, tv, open up the newspaper, or have a casual lunch without hearing or talking about mandela. even this morning, the radio stations were still all over the man's birthday. i felt truly blessed to be here and get to share the moment with south africans; you could tell that they are extremely proud of their madiba, and rightfully so.

a couple months ago during the height of the most recent "xenophobic" violence, i remember talking to several south africans who were completely ashamed of their country and countrymen for perpetuating such heinous crimes against fellow africans; some even apologized on others behalf. well, this weekend, rather than being ashamed, south africans truly have a reason to be proud. of their country, country-man, and fellow africans. what madiba was able to accomplish after 27 years in prison and the way he was able to inspire africans of all kinds and bring out the best in all, is truly something to cherish. so many people shared their experiences of meeting madiba or shaking his hand, and even people that had never met the man spoke of how their lives had been touched, nonetheless. i wished i had my own memory of mandela. i only know that were it not for him, and his courage, hope, and perseverance, i probably would not be here at this time.

my only concern, amidst all the hype and praise and celebrations is that, while south africans are proud of their living legend, they are rapidly forgetting what he stood for, what he worked for, and what he was prepared to die for. I'm reminded of another defining moment of my (and lots of people's) lives. 9/11. after the attack on the WTC, i remember students everywhere searching for meaning and what lessons to take from this. how to move forward. i remember writing a paper about it, but im not sure i came up with any conclusions. we looked for guidance, but were only told to go shopping. i hate shopping. 7 years later, i'm afraid we've taken very little if any lessons away from the disaster. all of his life, and particularly after he was released from prison and subsequently became president of the republic of south africa, mandela reminded all people that "true reconciliation does not consist in merely forgetting the past". he said: "Our daily deeds as ordinary South Africans must produce an actual South African reality that will reinforce humanity's belief in justice, strengthen its confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all." i wonder how he really feels when he surveys the political and social landscape of south africa today. i am concerned that the country risks losing the dream espoused by madiba. i am concerned that i've missed the lessons.

i'm just gonna end this post with some of my favorite madiba quotes:

"Let us never be unmindful of the terrible past from which we come that memory not as a means to keep us shackled to the past in a negative manner, but rather as a joyous reminder of how far we have come and how much we have achieved. The memory of a history of division and hate, injustice and suffering, inhumanity of person against person should inspire us to celebrate our own demonstration of the capacity of human beings to progress, to go forward, to improve, to do better.

"There is enough reason for cynicism and despair. But then we should take heart from our own experience and performance. Let us refrain from chauvinistic breast-beating; but let also not underrate what we have achieved in establishing a stable and progressive democracy where we take freedoms seriously; in building national unity in spite of decades and centuries of apartheid and colonial rule; in creating a culture in which we increasingly respect the dignity of all.

"In a cynical world we have become an inspiration to many. We signal that good can be achieved amongst human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared to belief in the goodness of people.

"Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world.

"Let freedom reign.

"The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement!

"God bless Africa!"