Resilience

Resilience

When I think of the word resilience, Nelson Mandela and his freedom fighters come to mind. They fought so hard against the "impossible" and they won. They achieved this feat because they cared more. It wasn't easy too, 27 years in prison is an eternity. That is more than 10 000 days in prison - mastery!

Consider Nelson Mandela's life for a moment. He and the other freedom fighters were banished to an Island were they would serve life for treason. They worked in labor camps all day every day, turning big rocks to small rocks. They were harassed, disrespected, abused and made to feel inferior throughout. They were treated like animals and not shown any humanity. The food was cold, rationed and not fit for a dog. The cells were cold and solitary confinement was a part of life because they were so vocal about their rights. Life carried on without them, family members died and they couldn't attend funerals. They spent the best years of their lives, their youth, confined in a cell like animals. They couldn't even communicate with the outside world because the letters were heavily censored. No newspapers to inform them of current events of the country and the world, all they knew were the four corners of Robben Island. There's also the case that all of this could have been in vain. What if the people they were fighting for forgot. What If the unjust oppressive system of Apartheid won in suppressing peoples spirits and oppression was the norm? What if there was nothing that could be done?

Nelson Mandela and the other freedom fighters, endured a lot of suffering. They lost so much. It's so easy to be hateful and angry but he Nelson Mandela preached peace and making the country a better place to live in when he was released. The future was all that mattered and creating one with equal opportunity and no oppressive legislature for people of color was paramount. He was driven by a new vision for South Africa, it defined him. He gave everything to his people. What a leader, what a great man. Nelson Mandela embodies what it is to be resilient. The action of getting up and fighting, even after a thorough beat down. He stands for doing what's right and never giving up until the very end. He stands for victory under the most difficult circumstances. He is integrity, resolve, determination, resilience and greatness.

Thank you for everything Tata, this is dedicated to the freedom fighters who gave up their lives and freedom so I can be free.